New Monasticism : A Interspiritual Manifesto for Contemplative Living

Young leaders of the new monastic movement introduce their vision for contemplative life―one that draws from the long traditions of East and West but also seeks an interreligious and "interspiritual" dimension to intentional living in our time. With a preface by Mirabai Starr, a foreword by Sufi teacher Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee, and an afterword by Fr. Thomas Keating.

The book is an introduction to the "new monastic movement," offering the authors' intellectual and spiritual reflections on what contemplative life could look like in the 21st century. With chapters focusing on spiritual practice, vocation, contemplation and activism, dialogical dialogue, the relationship with traditional religious paths, contemplative psychology and the building of intentional communities, the authors seek to "cut across the boundaries of religious traditions, of contemplation and action, and endeavor to create intergenerational alliances between those immersed in the depths of our traditional religious frameworks and those who are being called to contemplative and prophetic life outside of those frameworks."

While drawing on the work of Raimon Panikkar, St. Teresa of Avila, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, Ewert Cousins, Fr. Bede Griffiths, Thomas Merton, Brother Wayne Teasdale, St. John of the Cross and the Russian sophianic tradition, among others, the book also incorporates some popular modern day academic, cultural, and contemplative theorists, such as Ken Wilber and Fr. Thomas Keating, who speak to young people about creating a more sacred and just world while providing them with sophisticated tools for psychological analysis and integrated action. It also offers specific practices for a disciplined contemplative life and inspired social justice activism.

Rory McEntee is a scholar, teacher, and contemplative activist. He is currently President and Executive Director of the Charis Foundation for New Monasticism & Interspirituality, and teaches contemplative retreats throughout the year. Rory has an M.A. in Applied Mathematics from the University of Southern California and a PhD in Theological and Philosophical Studies from Drew University. He is the author of The Sacred/Secular Binary: Challenging the Divide in University Culture and Democratic Societies and co-author of The New Monasticism, as well as many articles on education, theology, and Interspirituality. Rory helped found the interspiritual new monastic movement as a mentee of the late Brother Wayne Teasdale and Father Thomas Keating. He has participated in many dialogues around the world with religious leaders, including Pope Francis and the Dalai Lama, and maintains a love for basketball, snowboarding, trekking in the Himalayas, coffee, friends, and family.

Adam Bucko is an activist, spiritual director to many of New York City’s homeless youth, and co-author of Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation. His work has been featured by ABC News, CBS, NBC, New York Daily News, National Catholic Reporter, Shambala Sun, and Sojourner.