Being Still: Reflections on an Ancient Mystical Tradition

by Jean-Yves Leloup, M.S. Laird (Translator)

For more than fifteen hundred years Christianity has cultivated a rich and varied teaching on the practice of stillness and inner calm. Here we can find answers to the contemporary psychological struggle for inner peace. In a fresh and engaging reading of this ancient contemplative spirituality, Jean-Yves Leloup explores the writings of many spiritual masters from across the centuries. In particular he focuses on the Desert Fathers, the fourth-century monk Evagrius, St. John Cassian, and the anonymous 19th-century author of The Way of the Pilgrim. Drawn from the experience of the monasteries of Sinai and Mount Athos, here is a clear and practical presentation of the spiritual art of stillness in the face of interior pain and confusion. This
--demonstrates that peace in the world begins with peace in the heart.
--is gracefully written for everyday readers.

Genres: Mysticism, Nonfiction, Christianity, Philosophy

141 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Jean-Yves Leloup, an Orthodox theologian, is well known in Europe, North and South America as a popular author on spirituality and psychology. He is the founder of the Institute of Other Civilization Studies and the International College of Therapists. He has written more than fifty books and has also translated and commented the gospels of Thomas, Miriam of Magdala, Philip and John.

Reviews

[David Mullens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book about stillness and silence focusing on early Christianity. He does have a chapter on silence from Hindu, Buddhist, and Islam perspectives however. I highly recommend this book if you want to get sense of silence from an early Christian perspective. Many wonderful quotes from Early Christian resources.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love it so far. keep re-reading it-

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, this sounds more like what Christianity should sound like!