The Still Point: Reflections on Zen and Christian Mysticism

by William Johnston

It is surely a significant manifestation of the permanence of the soul's quest for God that the Western world, at a time when human values, principles, and ideals are being questioned and rejected, has turned to an interest in the age-old practice of the East - the quest for inner peace and
tranquility as found in the profoundly moving experience of contemplation after the method of Zen Buddhism. In this deeply sympathetic study, the author compares the principles and the practices of Zen with the traditional concepts, aims, and results of Christian mysticism. His object is, first,
ecumenical - to explore the bases of Zen and Christian mysticism, so that Buddhist and Christian can communicate; second, to rethink the basic concepts of Catholic mystical theology in the light of the Zen experience; and last, to encourage more people to contemplative prayer.

Genres: Spirituality, Religion, Mysticism, Zen, Buddhism

202 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

William Johnston, a Jesuit missionary living in Japan, has extensive knowledge both of Western spirituality and mysticism and also, through his experiences in Japan, of Eastern spirituality and mysticism, especially Zen Buddhism.

An authority on fourteenth century spirituality, he has translated several works from the contemplative traditions of both East and West, as well as work by the great Japanese novelist Shusaku Endo.

Reviews

[Luke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was hoping for more comparison of Zen and Christian and practices, but the psychological and spiritual comparisons were interesting.

[Brian Hohmeier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnston's earnest early exploration of the frontiers of Christian-Zen interaction is quite good, although his contention with traditionally developed understanding of infused contemplation is somewhat puzzling from a student of mysticism such as he is.

[Frank · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Johnston which shares common ground between Christianity and Zen