Listen to the Desert: Secrets of Spiritual Maturity from the Desert Fathers and Mothers

by Gregory Mayers

Presents the ancient thought and lifestyle of the Desert Fathers and Mothers through traditional Wisdom Stories in which Characters, actions, and sayings address deep, universal human needs. Illustrated

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Short Stories, Theology

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

Reviews

[Frank · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an interesting book but not really what it sounds like it should be. It takes a quote from an early desert father of nearly 2,000 years ago and explains it. Well it is more like he took some topics he wanted to write about and simply plugged in a quote. I dis agree with his understanding of what the dersert monk meant. But for all I disagree with there are some very interesting thoughts in this little book. For instance one chapter is Who am I? He never seems to really answer the question, at least I didn't feel he did, but he does offer some challenging questions. If we are our thoughts and accumulated learning who are we when Alzhiemer' diseases takes that all away. Who are you then. He places a call to go deaper into who you really are not just the flesh and thoughts and intelligence.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best commentaries on the Desert Ammas and Abbas. Rather than answer the riddles, he further draws out the questions, inviting reflection. The desert is all around us. This is Carlos Castaneda in the Christian tradition. The reason that a mystery is a mystery is because it is a crossroads in a desert that poses many kinds of problems around decision choice and purpose. And because the question reverberates all the way both vertical and horizontal.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nice introduction to the early desert monks.

The author currently leads the East/West Meditation Center at Mercy Center, Burlingame (Wednesdays 7-9 p.m.)

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book "spiritual book" I've read in a long time.