Finding the Monk Within: Great Monastic Values for Today

by Edward C. Sellner

Finding the Monk Within is written with the conviction that lying deep within every person and underlying much of contemporary western and eastern cultures is an ancient memory, a vital archetypal energy related to monasticism and its spirituality. This book recovers that monastic memory, the living presence of the past, for those who desire to name and incorporate monastic values of solitude and silence, faith and compassion, friendship and mentoring, contemplation and leadership itself. The author examines the social and religious dimensions in the fourth century that gave rise to monasticism, then looks at Christian leaders from late antiquity to the medieval period associated with monasticism in both East and West who have much to teach about monastic values and their relevance for today, among them Antony, the "first monk," Augustine and Jerome, John Cassian, Brigit of Kildare and early Celtic monasticism, Gregory the Great, Benedict and Scholastica and, finally, Bernard of Clairvaux. "By studying the history of monasticism and its great heroes we come to realize that, for the Christian, much of what we call `monastic' is purely and simply what being a follower of Christ is all about, and that being a monk, whether inside monastic enclosures or outside `in the world,' is simply becoming the sort of person everyone ought to be, a person who unites action and contemplation in the care of souls," writes the author. By becoming familiar with the stories and thought of these inspirational figures, readers will be inspired to incorporate monastic perspectives and values into their own lives.

Genres: Christianity, Spirituality

336 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2008

About the author

Edward Cletus Sellner, BA, MA, PhD

Reviews

[Willa Guadalupe Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always been called to the monastic life, though the life I have led is very different. I am committed to seeing out my days fully involved with family life, that being said I wanted to find a way to bring monastic values to the life I lead. This book is a gem of inspiration. It is not a "how to" book so much as it tells the stories of the "greats" of monasticism, from Athanasius to Bernard of Clairvaux, with my favorite saint, Brigid, tucked in the middle. I saw this book recommended in a book of Celtic Spirituality (I can't remember which one) and so when I saw it cheap, I bought it. I will be keeping this book in my library, it is well worth reading more than once. The days when small children have worn me out & I want to run away from my commitments it helps me to fan the fires of my spiritual life and remember that we can be monks in our family, monks in the city, monks at whatever work we do. I truly love this book.

[Kaye]

More historical than inspirational for me.