Religious Books > L Religious Books

Advantages: Great writing, great thoughts
Disadvantages: -

...is a powerful way of living into the fullness of God's grace and love. However, as the title of this text by Esther de Waal indicates, it is not always an easy rule, nor one that is immediately grasped and completely understood. The monastics and oblates of Benedict's orders take vows, typically being poverty, obedience, chastity and conversion of life (the oblate's vows are modified to reflect the reality of living outside the enclosed monastic ...
...means to live with oneself, living with others in community, living in the world, and being both together and apart. Each person is endowed with gifts and graces, and has the potential for us to see Christ in them, if we will be attentive ('listen') and lose ourselves that we might also be Christ-like for the sake of others. Contradictions that de Waal highlights include the difference between desert and marketplace (the early Desert Fathers were ... Read review

Advantages: Interesting & inspiring read
Disadvantages: ...

...something in Emma Restall's Orr's Living Druidry that appeals strongly to me as a Zen practitioner. Firstly it is the graphic dream-like descriptions of her trance-like experiences she has in her communion with nature. And then there's her commitment to share "to give to others what we have been given". A vow not dissimilar to that which is uttered by a Zen practitioner before his/her zazen (Zen meditation, whose ultimate goal is enlightenment). ...
...such, but a way of living that doesn't see things in a dualistic way. It doesn't believe in a single creator god, but [as I see it] in the "spirit of being", for everything that exists. As in Zen, the All does exist but is a context that cannot be defined because it permeates all things that exist. For those like me, looking for something outside the ordinariness of day-to-day life, this book is a truly inspiring read. Thanks for reading. ... Read review

Advantages: Good insights
Disadvantages: For a narrow audience

...character. Many parts of the liturgy are deeply reflective of who we are as individuals and communities. Are we musical? Are we movement-oriented or stillness-oriented? Are we contemplative? Anderson's essay in this, subtitled Hymning the Self Before God, discusses the importance of hymnody, the style of hymnody, the reasons why changing music or hymnals is so volatile: the music is an integral part of the soul. We sing because it expresses who we ...
...act of singing identifies us as singers. But in singing a hymn, we identify ourselves also with a particular text and tune, even in only momentarily.' Further essays on prayer also serve to illuminate this topic. The final section discusses the connexion of words and music, including a discussion of liturgical music and and essay of reflections on writing, prayer and practice entitled Clunky Prayers and Christian Living. In this essay, Brian Wren ... Read review

Advantages: Inspired and inspiring
Disadvantages: -

Years ago, I thought long and hard as to what should be my first book to read after my ordination to the priesthood several years ago. What would be a suitable task for the newly-minted Father Kurt? I found it in this book. Bill Countryman's book, 'Living on the Border of the Holy' carries the subtitle 'Renewing the Priesthood of All'. There has been movement afoot in many religions and denominations to 'spread the wealth' as it were, to make clergy-types ...
...children of God and thus much more equal than they are ever meant to be set apart. As a priest I concur -- I will fail in my duties if I do not at all times and in all places strive to give the greatest access to all aspects of worship to all people. To this end, the more I reserve things to myself (only a priest can do that!) the more I disturb the purpose of worship, the more I set myself above my fellow children of God, and the more I slip away ... Read review

Advantages: A good read
Disadvantages: none

A little about about the author. The author Phra Peter Pannapadipo was known as Peter Robinson, When Peter became forty years old, he went on a package holiday to Thailand. Whilst Peter was there, he became fascinated by the feelings of tranquility he found there. He visited Buddhist temples and Monasteries and became fascinated with them. When he returned to England he became determined to find out more, this is where his journey of discovery ...
...years later. At his ordination he was given the chaya or religious name of Phra Peter Pannapadipo I suggest you read "An English Monk in Thailand" by Phra Peter Pannapadipo this book tells you all about his journey to becoming a monk. The book It really makes you take a look around at your surroundings and see how lucky you really are. This book reflects the life's of young novice monks. The stories are of 10 young boys from very poor backgrounds, ... Read review