Solitude and Silence: The Cloister of the Heart

TAN Resurrection

by Thomas à Kempis

What can the lay person learn from the life of a monk? Solitude and Silence are two pillars of monastic life that many people quickly point to as the hardest and most confusing parts of this kind of religious consecration. However, the great spiritual writer Thomas à Kempis, author of The Imitation of Christ, helps us to understand that all Christians are called to some solitude and silence in our lives while not taking on a complete eremitical life. He recommends the systematic and intentional incorporation of solitude and silence in a manner which is consistent with each one’s vocation and state of life.

It is important for us to cultivate these two habits in order to enter into contemplation and conversation with God. This vision of God may also be experienced (to varying degrees) even in this world, through the grace of contemplative prayer. And silence and solitude are the hallowed doors through which one must pass to arrive at this delightful and serene state of holy contemplation.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Christianity, Theology

61 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2023

About the author

Thomas Hammerken (or Hammerlein -- both mean "little hammer") / Thomas de Kempis / Thomas Hamerken von Kempen was born at Kempen (hence the "A Kempis") in the duchy of Cleves in Germany around 1380. He was educated by a religious order called the Brethren of the Common Life, and in due course joined the order, was ordained a priest, became sub-prior of his house (in the low Countries), and died 25 July 1471 (his feast is observed a day early to avoid conflict with that of James bar-Zebedee the Apostle).

Thomas is known almost entirely for composing or compiling a manual of spiritual advice known as The Imitation of Christ, in which he urges the reader to seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ and to be conformed in all things to His will.

Reviews

[#AskMissPatience · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unexpected. Profound. Transformative. Fresh ideas and seeds are planted within my heart. The vintage tone written in the 15th century of relating with God’s divinity explodes. Requiring multiple readings. Practice. Speechless.

Feels as though I’ve moved into a new neighborhood. Lots to explore.

The book arrived after the choice of two words, Solitude and Silence, for 2025. In response, God gave me this gift.

What I like most, this book though brief at less than 60 pages or a couple of listening hours packs a robust godly connection practice. Meaning ways to ground and expand one’s relationship with oneself, people, and most important … Him who loves me best. And, me Him 😁

“Through silence, we return to our heavenly origin, where there is nothing but calm, peace, repose, silent contemplation, and adoration of the radiant face of God.” ~ Robert Cardinal Sarah

Every year pick a word to help me focus on growth in an area. This year broke the one word rule. Chose the noise of two words, solitude and silence. When distractions disappear what’s left is what’s now and in this a lot is happening. If ya don’t believe me, try sitting still for 15 minutes 😁

First time picking two words perfect for focus and aspiration support. Stumbled on this gem of a book, ‘Solitude and Silence: The Cloister of the Heart’, by Thomas À Kempis.

Nabbed multiple free print versions. Picked one to share if you’re interested in reading visually. Added the Audible link read by Tom Gilligan who does a brilliant job narrating (see below)👇🏼

If you’d like to listen check out Solitude and Silence on Audible:

https://www.audible.com/pd/B0CY337NCS...

PDF link to the book, for free:

https://tanbooks.com/content/3162_Pre...

I converted the link using iPhone “Books” app. If you upload there it’ll become a PDF. Or whatever app you prefer for conversion.

If you’d like to convert to audio, rather than buy on Audible, can download the website link or PDF to Speechify to listen. This is a paid app I use for everything from Kindle listening to articles, link downloads, edit writing, etc.

Speechify:

https://share.speechify.com/mzry4sj

After reading this book changed my annual Goodreads goal from 52 to 12. Though will likely read many more.

This shift is opening me up to completing twelve reviews for 2025. Deeper dives in context and more room for practicing what I’m learning. Plus offer the opportunity to reread a book without the pressure of differentiating titles that became a focus I’ve decided to change. Mix things up a bit.

Help me focus and accomplish important goals as an emerging author of children’s lit and an author interviewer during book tour travels.

Not sure if you’re someone who ever considered picking a word for any year to encourage growth. Learn new things. Become more for yourself and others. Or, maybe a topic like organize is needed. Whatever the word might be, it is never too late to start a new ritual that can take you to new levels of development. Joy. Peace. Love. And, happiness.

Happy New Year. New you. New me. New us. New happiness 😁

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💯

[Dawn Axelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

If I were to review the first half of this book alone, I would have given it two stars. It was intellectually sloppy, dangerous and contradictory, while looking oh-so-reasonable on the surface. If it did not have Thomas a Kempis on the cover, I would have thought it was written by someone of this century, who is so steeped in modernism that they cannot even see what they have done.

The second half is actually quite decent. But since this is a 63 page book, and the last chapter is lifted from the Imitation of Christ, it begins to be an awful small piece of valuable for the relatively large price tag.

[Matthew Purt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book for our times.

[Jonah Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is my introduction to Thomas à Kempis. I possess two copies of The Imitation of Christ but never had the courage to open it. So I decided to begin with this very small book.

It was a delightful little read. There is a lot of encouragement within, and I suspect a one-sitting read doesn't quite do Thomas justice. I'm astounded that this read so much like a something written this century. Does that make it reek of modernism? No. It strikes me as evidence for Thomas's accessibility, and it causes me to understand why The Imitation of Christ remains one of the most popular devotionals today.

I am someone who usually prefers both solitude and silence, and during my read I was beginning to worry that there would not be much insight for me to gather. This was until I was slapped with these three paragraphs, my favorites of the book, which spoke so much to me.

The devil is the sworn foe of the human race and envies in particular any person who develops a close relationship to God. Therefore, he seldom permits such a person to go long without testing him with some trial or temptation. For this reason, the devout person needs to be especially vigilant against the attacks of the devil.

Very often, the ancient enemy will send bursts of serious sadness or dark depression, as well as tedium and boredom. Above all, he is intent upon subverting the commitment and resolve of those who have dedicated themselves to a contemplative life of silence and solitude. The vices he uses against such people are sadness and boredom so that tedium and frustration soon begin to arise in their hearts. As many persons drawn to the solitary life are of a naturally melancholic temperament, the devil cunningly exploits this. He sends oppressive and consuming sorrows in an attempt to drain the person of all his resolve and strength.

But whoever firmly believes in God and places the love of God above all else, and honestly desires to conquer the world and the pernicious lusts of the world, shall have the courage and endurance to accept all affliction of bitterness, sorrow, and tedium. He shall neither seek nor expect any solace from human beings or any created things but will be inflamed with a desire for Christ alone. For in Christ he will see the only one who is able to be victorious not only over sadness and tedium but over all the vices and temptations which the devil might send him, and to lead him unfailingly to the glories of heaven.

[Scott Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this brief (61 pages) book, the author of the classic The Imitation of Christ" eloquently extols the spiritual virtues of silence and solitude, warning the would-be disciple away from seeking satisfaction outside of one's self and cell. The themes will be familiar to anyone who has read his more famous book, but his manner is so congenial it's a pleasure to revisit them. This is the first English translation of the book, and it is very readable and well-footnoted.

[Dawn Dishman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does a book written in 1400’s by a Monk have to say to us in 2025? Much!

This book contains gems to be considered and applied. Even though written for a monastic order, I found much to reflect on and helpful in my life today. Maybe more so because of the constant barrage of information and noise coming at me all the time.

[Dane Mortensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the first half of this book. Kempis reminded me of my need to draw away and into God.

I have internal conflict about his (or better, the whole monastic movement’s) emphasis on little speech. I do think there is value in being careful with the words we speak, but the emphasis is taken too far for me.

[Paul Swift · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listening to it in the car one day. Super brief audiobook- didn’t get much out of it, but I think that was more a me issue and being distracted in the car. Might be worth sitting down and reading instead of the audiobook.

[Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kempis never misses

[Jennifer Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars
Good