The Lay Contemplative: Testimonies, Perspectives, Resources

The Lay Contemplative draws together a blend of story, theory and practical help for the many people who feel called to pursue a contemplative prayer life while living an active life in the world. This book provides a variety of resources that will assist the Christian layperson in deepening a contemplative vocation.The strong testimonies in Part One offer tangible support by describing real-life experiences of lay contemplation. They are stories from people who raise families, do housework, earn a living, struggle with relational and career problems, and who, at the same time, have identified within themselves an urgency to be contemplative. Part Two, "Guidelines for Growing as a Lay Contemplative, " grounds the lay contemplative movement in the history of the Church and ways of discernment. Part Three gives practical information about retreat centers and centers of formation that specialize in guiding lay contemplatives.

Although interest in contemplative life has increased among laypeople, few resources have enabled them to pursue selected aspects of lay contemplation (such as monastic prayer and worship disciplines) while living and working in the secular world. This resource book, endowed by several Lilly grants over a five-year period, aims to fill that void. The reflective, living testimonies shared by lay contemplatives are perhaps too personal for all readers to connect with, though diverse groups of people share their stories. The second section, which offers guidelines for growing theologically, philosophically and in practical faith, offers more depth as a road map for the contemplative journey. The third section is excellent in its profiling of the centers researched, which include retreat sites, ashrams, monasteries and hermitages offered to laypeople. The research was conducted by the Association of Contemplative Sisters, who started out Roman Catholic and are now branching out ecumenically. That is in itself probably the principal strength and weakness of this book, which does a fine job of covering various Roman Catholic possibilities but skimps on non-Catholic forms (though a small group of centers represent Quaker, Buddhist and other traditions). Nonetheless, this is an important, long-overdue, supportive resource for those interested in adopting a contemplative lifestyle. (Feb.)

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

This unassuming little book from the rather unassuming St. Anthony Messenger Press is one of the more interesting books for the spiritual seeker to be published in this season. It provides, in fact, what most general readers are looking for when they want to know how to begin the spiritual journey--not advice or instruction but guidance into the meaning of the contemplative life. Although somewhat stronger on Catholic than non-Catholic content, it still provides useful information for all sorts of budding mystics. It also contains a fully annotated list of retreat centers and contemplative research sites. Highly recommended.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.