You Are Here: Keywords for Life Explorers

by David Steindl-Rast

The magnum opus of one of our most important living Catholic authors--a giant in the field of interfaith relationships, Christian contemplative life, and spiritual writing, Brother David Steindl-Rast offers spiritual direction from a unique perspective in history. At 96, he has counted Shunryu Suzuki Roshi, Thomas Merton, H. H. the Dalai Lama, and Thomas Keating as friends and teachers. He has learned much, and offers it here. "If we know the point where the sun rises, we can determine all other points of the compass and find the direction we want to take," Brother David writes. "Luminous words can become keywords that unlock new insights. I have discovered the joy that springs from thinking along language as Martin Heidegger used to say, and am learning to pay close attention to the insights of our ancestors that have left tracks in the language we inherited. There is a treasure of wisdom and guidance." Steindl-Rast guides those looking for the way to God, whether Christian or not. To begin, we need to pay close attention to our experience.

Genres: Spirituality

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 4, 2023

About the author

Brother David Steindl-Rast is a Benedictine monk, author, and lecturer widely recognized for his commitment to interfaith dialogue and his emphasis on gratitude as a transformative spiritual practice. Born in Vienna in 1926, he survived the challenges of World War II before emigrating to the United States in 1952. He entered monastic life at Mount Saviour Monastery and went on to engage deeply with both Christian and Buddhist traditions, studying with notable Zen masters. His work bridges spirituality and science and has led him to collaborate with religious and cultural figures across traditions. He co-founded the Center for Spiritual Studies and A Network for Grateful Living, advocating for gratefulness as essential to human flourishing. His writings include Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer and Belonging to the Universe (with Fritjof Capra). Known for his mystical approach, he describes religion as a living flame that must be rediscovered beneath layers of doctrine, ritual, and dogma.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of luminous reflections that define concepts like gratitude, prayer, love, fear, hope, commitment, and more, this book is simple to “read” but requires — and rewards— attentive efforts to come to grips with each. My favorite selection of such meditations in a long time.

I became familiar with the author through his foundational work with the Network for Grateful Living (gratefulness.org). His path is Christian, but his wisdom is universalist.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it two times. And slowly. It takes awhile to absorb the ideas.

[Michael Moon · Rating 5 out of 5]

a Life summation

Written by a 96 year old Christian monk, who against all odds has escaped the mind control of official Christendom strikes the perfect but dynamic pose of poetry and prose, of discourse and argumentation, of intimate disclosure and didactic explanation for living an epic life. I anticipate reading this again and again, one short passage at random after another.