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Seasons of the Heart: The Spiritual Dynamic of the Carmelite Life
The Carmelite tradition could be understood as an 800 year commentary on the Song of Songs. Thinking they were seeking an elusive God, they returned from their search with the conviction that God had been pursuing them all along in love. These five "seasons of the heart" and Carmel's expression of them, are reviewed in an attempt to identify the spiritual dynamic of the Carmelite life.
43 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 1, 2020
A stunning little book. I especially appreciated the interpretation of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, attributed to the Dutch Carmelite Kees Waaijman of the Brandsma Institute:
"The Carmelite is placed in the role of innkeeper. His plans and orderly house are upset when a stranger brings a beaten man to be cared for. The stranger asks the innkeeper to take care of the beaten man, and if the innkeeper incurs further expense, i.e., does more, the stranger will compensate him when he returns.
"The stranger, Christ, asks the Carmelite to take care of His people in His absence. The guest is unexpected, the order of the house is disturbed. But the innkeeper dutifully takes care of the wounded person, perhaps without emotional investment or ego-involvement, and maybe with very little satisfaction. Kees concludes that all real giving is essentially dark. The Presence met deep in Carmelite hearts is a night that guides, a flame that heals, an absence that reveals." page 38
"The Carmelite is placed in the role of innkeeper. His plans and orderly house are upset when a stranger brings a beaten man to be cared for. The stranger asks the innkeeper to take care of the beaten man, and if the innkeeper incurs further expense, i.e., does more, the stranger will compensate him when he returns.
"The stranger, Christ, asks the Carmelite to take care of His people in His absence. The guest is unexpected, the order of the house is disturbed. But the innkeeper dutifully takes care of the wounded person, perhaps without emotional investment or ego-involvement, and maybe with very little satisfaction. Kees concludes that all real giving is essentially dark. The Presence met deep in Carmelite hearts is a night that guides, a flame that heals, an absence that reveals." page 38
May 24, 2016
The material in this short book was originally given at a 'Day of Recollection' given by Fr. John Welch. It's decided into 5 short chapters:
1. A Longing Heart--our desire for God
2. An Enslaved Heart--the worship of false gods
3. A Listening Heart--contemplative prayer
4. A Troubled Heart--the tragic in life
5. A Pure Heart--the transformation of desire
I would say that this little book is Carmel in a nutshell. Fr. Welch draws from the writings of Carmelite saints, Therese of Lisieux, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross for numerous quotes. I read it with a highlighter in hand and will return to it for inspiration.
Carmelites are associated with the contemplative charism. That doesn't mean asceticism, but living in the world, listening to God and wanting what God wants. It's a great little book!
1. A Longing Heart--our desire for God
2. An Enslaved Heart--the worship of false gods
3. A Listening Heart--contemplative prayer
4. A Troubled Heart--the tragic in life
5. A Pure Heart--the transformation of desire
I would say that this little book is Carmel in a nutshell. Fr. Welch draws from the writings of Carmelite saints, Therese of Lisieux, Teresa of Avila and John of the Cross for numerous quotes. I read it with a highlighter in hand and will return to it for inspiration.
Carmelites are associated with the contemplative charism. That doesn't mean asceticism, but living in the world, listening to God and wanting what God wants. It's a great little book!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews