Thoughts Matter: The Practice of the Spiritual Life

by Mary Margaret Funk

Introduces the method developed by John Cassian, a fourth-century monk, for concentrating the mind and controlling extraneous thought during meditation

Genres: Spirituality, Faith, Religion, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, Christianity

144 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1998

Reviews

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Based on the desert fathers Cassian and Evagrius, presenting maturity in spiritual life as awareness and direction of our thoughts regarding: hunger, lust, possessions, anger, sadness, boredom (acedia), posing (vainglory), and arrogance (pride). Quite amazing - I didn't at first agree that snacking between meals (seems so little) can have an effect on prayer or mindfulness, but she makes a good case. Interior and exterior life inform and influence each other.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Food.
Sex.
Things.
Anger.
Dejection.
Acedia.
Vain glory.
Pride.

Must control our thoughts to be able to pray. To avoid sin.

Based upon desert fathers.

I REALLY enjoyed this. Very helpful.

[Stanley Biggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upgrading my review to 5 stars after I have YET AGAIN come back to it to re-read some sections. And it’s happened over and over through the years that I come back to re-read parts of it. Cassian really had profound insight into the human psyche. And it’s so useful to get his insights at times where certain mind states colour and dominate experience.

[Damien Rappuhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book on Cassian and the spiritual life. Few books get it or make it as practical and approachable as this one.

[Irene Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This edition is a bit dated (1998) with the increase in technology, some of her statements on thoughts in contemplative prayer seem archaic. If there is a latter edition, read that one.

[Rob Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spirituality of St John Cassian. Contemplative prayer.

[Carol McHale · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by someone I highly respect. However, it was not faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church. It was one of the very few books in my life that I threw away.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funk draws on the list of the eight thoughts which provided the basis for the medieval Seven Deadly Sins. By exploring the eight thoughts she advocates that progress in the Spiritual life consists of, at least in part, learning to discipline and purge your thought life of competing temptations and desires, so that you can devote yourself more fully to God.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful (pun-intended) and meditative work on the eight thoughts (later reduced to seven capital sins) in the work of Cassian and Evagrius Ponticus. Not only does it describe the thoughts but also suggests ways to respond to them, A very helpful work which I will need to return to.

[Paul Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

An introduction to the way mental vices can erode the spiritual life. The writer comes out of the Benedictine monastic tradition, but that tradition can help orient the self in ways that are not always related to God but to the dimensions of the person that promotes wholeness and gentleness.

[Gerlinde · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book on thoughts and spiritual development.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but truly based towards the monastic. A little less monastic over tones would have given the content a wider understanding and value. Still, a valuable read.