The Ladder of Monks

by Guigo II the Carthusian, Pascale-Dominique Nau (Translator)

Guigo II the Chartusian (1114 - c. 1193) was the ninth prior of the Grande Chartreuse. His Ladder of Monks is one of the great spiritual classics that has inspired the method of lectio divina –spiritual reading of the Holy Scriptures– since the early Middle Ages. We find its influence, for example, in the reflection of Saint John of the Cross on lectio divina –see: “When God Speaks: Lectio Divina in Saint John of the Cross,” and it provides the key to understanding William of Saint-Thierry’s “On Contemplation.”

Genres: Christianity, Catholic, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Theology, Medieval, Prayer

50 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 3, 2012

Reviews

[Lou San · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simplicity in four steps

Dr. Pitre recommended this book on reason and theology the YouTube channel. It's a quick read and it's simple guidelines are a great resource for those seeking God. I pray you climb the ladder and see the Lord in contemplation. Please pray I do the same.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this. It's probably THE book to read on Lectio Divina, and it's quite interesting, short, and easy as well.

[Bryan Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ladder of the Monks takes you to the roots of Lectio Divina. A very easy and short read. The translation is good (avoids medieval jargon) and helps a novice know the ladder to God through Holy Scriptures.

[Myron T Howley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A small gem of Monastic Spirituality

This 12th century Monk leads one to ponder the steps of the ladder to God. A must-read for one traveling along searching for the "Face of God."

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book several times now. This is authentic Lectio Divina! If you've been told that centering prayer is a part of Lectio Divina, it's not. It's a part of Eastern Spirituality. Stick with the authentic Lectio Divina, which is elucidated in this book. For further commentary on why centering prayer is not Catholic, see my review of Lectio Divina and the Practice of Teresian Prayer to see what not to do.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

You really couldn't ask for a better or more comprehensive exploration of the how and why for Lectio Divina. I will say, though, that the Kindle version has some minor spelling mistakes littered throughout. It doesn't make it unreadable, but it is surprising given how few pages there are.

[Dennis Dame · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read. Good wisdom.

Some great thoughts and things to practice. The four rungs of the ladder are very useful to travel through life.

[Boho Beannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short and powerful introduction to lectio

[Andre Filho · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct and clear exposition of Lectio Divina. Very devotionally written

[Emmanuel Valencia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Extremely beautiful and encouraging

[antony · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book, you have to work for your bread with it though, it has an old meandering style. I noticed the author who brought the book to us from the original text of Guigo, had more book in French than English so perhaps it wasn't translated well. It need a better treatment man the information readily available to the reader.

If you have a sincere interest in the subject matter you will appreciate it as I did but the style does not contribute to easily absorbing the jewels within

[Nomina · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a fun lil read, made a lot of sense - incredibly horny, however