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Meditations: A Spiritual Journey Through the Parables
Metropolitan Anthony (Anthony Bloom) caught the imagination of countless people by his broadcasts. Their content was uncomfortable and challenging but they drew huge audiences. He then started publishing books and one of his first was was Meditations on a
125 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1975
6 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Bloom
90 books80 followersMetropolitan Anthony (Bloom) of Sourozh was a prominent writer and broadcaster on prayer and the Christian life, as well as the founder and leader of the Russian Orthodox Diocese of Sourozh.
See also: Antonie de Suroj, Anthony of Sourozh, Antonijus Surožietis, Антоний Сурожский, Anthony van Sourozh, Антоний Сурожки
See also: Antonie de Suroj, Anthony of Sourozh, Antonijus Surožietis, Антоний Сурожский, Anthony van Sourozh, Антоний Сурожки
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
June 30, 2018
This book is about our spiritual journey.
It starts with an introduction to this concept and then 6 chapters that deal with various aspects of the journey, based on certain passage of the gospel.
The introduction explains about the general attitude of a disciple. This is a bit hard to summarize as it contains so much different aspects. I was most moved when he wrote about being still and silent: "The silence I am speaking of is the silence of the sentry on duty at a critical moment; alert, immobile, poised and yet alive to every sound, every movement."
The first chapter is about Bartimeus. Or about learning to see. And how first of all, we often need to become aware that we are blind and need to call for help. And how we can think we wish to see God, but in reality we would not be able to bear that, but must ask God to prepare us for that. It contains very beautiful words about seeing with the heart. So that we can see the depth of things. He also quotes an old monk who had said: "The Holy Spirit is like a great shy bird that has alighted a little way off. When you see it coming closer, don't move, don't frighten it, let it come up to you". This rings so true to me, and it works like that with people too. As Anthony Bloom also writes in his second chapter about the art of truly listening in a conversation.
The second chapter about the pharisee and the publican. This is about how we meet with God and with other people. How we sometimes think that we are not welcome with God, when in fact we ourselves should learn to open our heart. Here are also some very beautiful words about the art of listening. And of the dangers of being too close to another person, or too distant. A very realistic and helpful wisdom.
Then chapter 3 on Zacheus. How we need to come to the point where we no longer care about what others think of us, but will start listening to our own conscience. About true humility. About true repentance.
Chapter 4 on the prodigal son. Well, I've already read so many books on this story, that this chapter felt a bit like more of the same. Still, one thing was really beautiful, and that was his explanation of the original Greek in the text that says that the son received back his 'first robe'.
Chapter 5 on the judgement. Well, he's trying to explain that judgement is good news, but I don't think that really worked for me.. He also quotes a classic Russian meditation on how we don't love God, nor our neighbors, nor do we have a religious belief, plus we are filled with pride.
I didn't like that at all. I have suffered too much from my own inner critic, saying these things continously.
This whole chapter seems to contradict the general tone of the previous chapters. On second thought, it is more likely the necessary balance, only I am over-sensitive to these accusations.
Last chapter about the goal. On death and resurrection, and how we have a personal relationship with the risen Christ now. He says some interesting, but complicated, things about the mystery of Jesus's death, and the connection between our life and his life.
There's a lot in this book. Making this summary has helped me a great deal in seeing the overall story. I especially enjoyed the first three chapters and the introduction. But maybe that's just telling about my own inner state, the spiritual journey probably gets harder the more you progress and the first steps are thus easier to grasp. Lots of ideas to ponder some more.
It starts with an introduction to this concept and then 6 chapters that deal with various aspects of the journey, based on certain passage of the gospel.
The introduction explains about the general attitude of a disciple. This is a bit hard to summarize as it contains so much different aspects. I was most moved when he wrote about being still and silent: "The silence I am speaking of is the silence of the sentry on duty at a critical moment; alert, immobile, poised and yet alive to every sound, every movement."
The first chapter is about Bartimeus. Or about learning to see. And how first of all, we often need to become aware that we are blind and need to call for help. And how we can think we wish to see God, but in reality we would not be able to bear that, but must ask God to prepare us for that. It contains very beautiful words about seeing with the heart. So that we can see the depth of things. He also quotes an old monk who had said: "The Holy Spirit is like a great shy bird that has alighted a little way off. When you see it coming closer, don't move, don't frighten it, let it come up to you". This rings so true to me, and it works like that with people too. As Anthony Bloom also writes in his second chapter about the art of truly listening in a conversation.
The second chapter about the pharisee and the publican. This is about how we meet with God and with other people. How we sometimes think that we are not welcome with God, when in fact we ourselves should learn to open our heart. Here are also some very beautiful words about the art of listening. And of the dangers of being too close to another person, or too distant. A very realistic and helpful wisdom.
Then chapter 3 on Zacheus. How we need to come to the point where we no longer care about what others think of us, but will start listening to our own conscience. About true humility. About true repentance.
Chapter 4 on the prodigal son. Well, I've already read so many books on this story, that this chapter felt a bit like more of the same. Still, one thing was really beautiful, and that was his explanation of the original Greek in the text that says that the son received back his 'first robe'.
Chapter 5 on the judgement. Well, he's trying to explain that judgement is good news, but I don't think that really worked for me.. He also quotes a classic Russian meditation on how we don't love God, nor our neighbors, nor do we have a religious belief, plus we are filled with pride.
I didn't like that at all. I have suffered too much from my own inner critic, saying these things continously.
This whole chapter seems to contradict the general tone of the previous chapters. On second thought, it is more likely the necessary balance, only I am over-sensitive to these accusations.
Last chapter about the goal. On death and resurrection, and how we have a personal relationship with the risen Christ now. He says some interesting, but complicated, things about the mystery of Jesus's death, and the connection between our life and his life.
There's a lot in this book. Making this summary has helped me a great deal in seeing the overall story. I especially enjoyed the first three chapters and the introduction. But maybe that's just telling about my own inner state, the spiritual journey probably gets harder the more you progress and the first steps are thus easier to grasp. Lots of ideas to ponder some more.
January 21, 2020
Lifegiving
The beauty and the depth, the meaning of life and beyond
The beauty and the depth, the meaning of life and beyond
April 14, 2025
Metropolitan Anthony gets to the heart of the Orthodox Christian Faith using plain language.
December 9, 2018
Very good, very unsystematic, spiritual writing from a modern spiritual master! Really a collection of diverse meditations, but a collection that is finely balanced where it counts.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews