A New Silence: Spiritual Practices and Formation for the Monk Within

by Beverly Lanzetta

A NEW SILENCE focuses on the inner transformation and spiritual practices that guide us to live for the Holy and for the good of creation. It is a practical companion for anyone seeking to be a monastic or contemplative presence in the world. Offered for explorers on the edge—for those who are between religions, those who have abandoned faith but yet seek, those who are interspiritual, or those who are rooted in their faith tradition and are going deeper—this is both path and accompaniment for the journey. Included are contemplative practices, journal reflections, meditative exercises, and examples of a daily schedule, personal vow, rule of life, and ceremony of profession that stabilize and affirm a new monastic way of life.

Genres: Spirituality

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2020

About the author

Dr. Beverly Lanzetta is a theologian, spiritual teacher, and the author of many groundbreaking books on emerging universal spirituality and new monasticism, including Radical Wisdom: A Feminist Mystical Theology, Emerging Heart: Global Spirituality And the Sacred, Nine Jewels of Night: One Soul’s Journey into God and most recently, The Monk Within: Embracing a Sacred Way of Life. Dedicated to a vision of theological openness and spiritual nonviolence, her work has won praise for its wisdom, eloquence, and mystical insight and is considered to be a major contribution to what theologian Ursula King called “a feminine mystical way for the 21st century.”

Dr. Lanzetta is also a vowed monk of peace living in the world and an interfaith chaplain. She has formed a community of new monks—single, married, partnered, celibate, etc.—dedicated to the universal mystical heart and to the spirituality of nonviolence. She has devoted much of her life to mentoring people who seek a deeper contemplative commitment and who wish to take personal monastic vows. She has taught theology at Villanova University, Prescott College, and Grinnell College.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a dense read; it includes both refreshing theologies/spiritualities inspired by monasticism, as well as practically helpful chapters on how to shape a contemplative life beyond the monastery itself.