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Tools Matter: Beginning the Spiritual Journey
How can we tend the garden of our souls? Meg Funk turns to the wisdom of the desert fathers for the means of removing obstacles to spiritual growth, which include thoughts of food, sex, possessions, anger, dejection, and pride, among other preoccupations. Redirecting thought away from such weeds in the garden of the spirit can lead to a greater awareness of God and purity of prayer.
This method to mental discipline may seem impossible at first, Funk admits, but those who succeed at it are rewarded with a liberating experience as they come to observe and control individual thought processes. Drawing on the writings of the fifth-century monk John Cassian, Funk goes on to explore deeply using such tools as memory, imagination, and rational thinking-tools right out of early Christianity-to work on inner healing. She also explains how other positive tools, such as ceaseless prayer, manual labor, and isolation, may lead to uncluttering the mind and purifying the heart.
Mary Margaret Funk is a Benedictine nun of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana. From 1994 through 2004, she served as executive director of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, which fosters dialogue among monastics of the world's religions. In addition to the volumes of the Matters Series, she is the author of Islam Is…: An Experience of Dialogue and Devotion and Into the Depths: A Journey of Loss and Vocation.
This method to mental discipline may seem impossible at first, Funk admits, but those who succeed at it are rewarded with a liberating experience as they come to observe and control individual thought processes. Drawing on the writings of the fifth-century monk John Cassian, Funk goes on to explore deeply using such tools as memory, imagination, and rational thinking-tools right out of early Christianity-to work on inner healing. She also explains how other positive tools, such as ceaseless prayer, manual labor, and isolation, may lead to uncluttering the mind and purifying the heart.
Mary Margaret Funk is a Benedictine nun of Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Beech Grove, Indiana. From 1994 through 2004, she served as executive director of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, which fosters dialogue among monastics of the world's religions. In addition to the volumes of the Matters Series, she is the author of Islam Is…: An Experience of Dialogue and Devotion and Into the Depths: A Journey of Loss and Vocation.
232 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 24, 2024
Wish I could have enjoyed this book more than I did. I was frequently surprised by how often Funk went against the gentle reputation that she had built for herself. I appreciate the nuances conversation that came out of her work, but I just wanted more.
June 20, 2019
Great collection of practices for contemplatives. Perhaps more suitable for monastics but still stuff laypeople can apply in daily life
August 20, 2020
I tried reading this when it first came out (2001) and I just wasn't ready. I had heard Sr. Mary Margaret speak at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress in the late '90s when her previous book was new. I was very impressed by her and that book.
As I said, I found this more difficult at the time it was new. I'm a lot older now and more receptive to the message. (I've been doing daily Christian meditation - the Jesus prayer, one of the tools she discusses - for a few years.) This is a book I can see myself returning to in five years, if I live so long.
As I said, I found this more difficult at the time it was new. I'm a lot older now and more receptive to the message. (I've been doing daily Christian meditation - the Jesus prayer, one of the tools she discusses - for a few years.) This is a book I can see myself returning to in five years, if I live so long.
October 14, 2022
I appreciated the authors language around the importance of tools (practices) to tend to our spirituality.
June 27, 2024
The full “matter” series focuses on areas of our lives that we may take for granted.
October 21, 2012
The inner life is like a garden which needs proper care and attention to keep the weeds out and allows our spirit to bloom and bear fruit.
Taking some cues from the 4th and 5th century monastic desert mothers and fathers, Funk shares a helpful number of spiritual practices which encourage contemplation, prayer, discernment, and other soul keeping habits.
Especially helpful to me was her discussion of lectio divina and the practice of ceaseless prayer. Although I would’ve liked a little more “how to” information, I think she steered away from defining the practice too narrowly in favor of the simple admonition to do it. The call to ceaseless prayer encouraged me to try using the Jesus prayer even as I went for a trail run later in the day. “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Building on the writings of John Cassian in regards to the 8 thoughts which develop into afflictions, Funk described a concept I had never been introduced to: Acedia.
“What is acedia? It is an affliction of motivation, of intention, of reason for doing spiritual work. It usually afflicts a practitioner when there is no return, no satisfaction, or consolation from spiritual works. It is very serious because it makes me vulnerable to making decisions I might regret later…”
As I read her description and prescription for this spiritual affliction of the soul, some issues and thoughts in my own heart were illumined. It was very helpful and I look forward to engaging in more ceaseless prayer and manual labor (two of a dozen or so tools she teaches on in the book) to alleviate the temptation towards acedia.
For anyone interested in the contemplative life and spiritual disciplines, Funk has an informative and practical book here which is sure to give you some new tools for tending your own inner garden.
Taking some cues from the 4th and 5th century monastic desert mothers and fathers, Funk shares a helpful number of spiritual practices which encourage contemplation, prayer, discernment, and other soul keeping habits.
Especially helpful to me was her discussion of lectio divina and the practice of ceaseless prayer. Although I would’ve liked a little more “how to” information, I think she steered away from defining the practice too narrowly in favor of the simple admonition to do it. The call to ceaseless prayer encouraged me to try using the Jesus prayer even as I went for a trail run later in the day. “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
Building on the writings of John Cassian in regards to the 8 thoughts which develop into afflictions, Funk described a concept I had never been introduced to: Acedia.
“What is acedia? It is an affliction of motivation, of intention, of reason for doing spiritual work. It usually afflicts a practitioner when there is no return, no satisfaction, or consolation from spiritual works. It is very serious because it makes me vulnerable to making decisions I might regret later…”
As I read her description and prescription for this spiritual affliction of the soul, some issues and thoughts in my own heart were illumined. It was very helpful and I look forward to engaging in more ceaseless prayer and manual labor (two of a dozen or so tools she teaches on in the book) to alleviate the temptation towards acedia.
For anyone interested in the contemplative life and spiritual disciplines, Funk has an informative and practical book here which is sure to give you some new tools for tending your own inner garden.
October 18, 2016
As I reflect upon this book I walk away with two actions that I can immediately implement.
“This watching of our thoughts is probably the most effective way of managing our thoughts.” I am not my thoughts. I can step away from my thoughts and observe them. I can acknowledge their presence. What do they tell me? They might inform me that I feel worried, anxious, angry, lonely, sad or unconfident. This is not who I am. This is how I feel and I will be best served if I let them go. “We are not our thoughts. If we do not think about them and go into the commentary and the emotional valences attached to these thoughts, they simply dissolve like a vapor in the air.”
“The practice of manual labor is when each touch of the hand to the device of labor is single-minded; God springs up and there’s Presence.” God is in all of my work. When I clean the dishes, vacuum the family room, and help my child with his homework, God is present. At work, when I read my multiple emails, perform the same task over and over and over again, or respond to an angry client, God springs up and is present. God is in both the smallest and the largest tasks. God is in both the exciting and mundane functions I perform. Why wouldn’t He be. This forces me to think differently about all of my daily tasks. If God is present then I need to be present, focused and do all work to the best of my ability!
Rich Lewis
SilenceTeaches.com
“This watching of our thoughts is probably the most effective way of managing our thoughts.” I am not my thoughts. I can step away from my thoughts and observe them. I can acknowledge their presence. What do they tell me? They might inform me that I feel worried, anxious, angry, lonely, sad or unconfident. This is not who I am. This is how I feel and I will be best served if I let them go. “We are not our thoughts. If we do not think about them and go into the commentary and the emotional valences attached to these thoughts, they simply dissolve like a vapor in the air.”
“The practice of manual labor is when each touch of the hand to the device of labor is single-minded; God springs up and there’s Presence.” God is in all of my work. When I clean the dishes, vacuum the family room, and help my child with his homework, God is present. At work, when I read my multiple emails, perform the same task over and over and over again, or respond to an angry client, God springs up and is present. God is in both the smallest and the largest tasks. God is in both the exciting and mundane functions I perform. Why wouldn’t He be. This forces me to think differently about all of my daily tasks. If God is present then I need to be present, focused and do all work to the best of my ability!
Rich Lewis
SilenceTeaches.com
March 1, 2021
Many tools are given. They include:
Change of thought.
Remember death.
Short prayer
Ceaseless prayer - Jesus prayer
Lectio divina
Manual labor
Selfless service
Watch thoughts
Fasting
Repentance- confession, contrition, penance
Be in my “cell”
Daily Office
This lent I’ve been praying the Office each day, fasting as long as 36 hours (typically between 20 & 24), and praying Jesus prayer. I still fail with my thoughts but it’s better.
Change of thought.
Remember death.
Short prayer
Ceaseless prayer - Jesus prayer
Lectio divina
Manual labor
Selfless service
Watch thoughts
Fasting
Repentance- confession, contrition, penance
Be in my “cell”
Daily Office
This lent I’ve been praying the Office each day, fasting as long as 36 hours (typically between 20 & 24), and praying Jesus prayer. I still fail with my thoughts but it’s better.
January 8, 2011
This is a great book for whoever is looking to grow spiritually. Sr. Margaret Funk does a great job of helping you along your journey.
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November 1, 20181
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews