A Palavra Que Leva ao Silêncio

by John Main

O grande contributo de John Main foi recuperar e repropor a experiência contemplativa para as pessoas comuns dentro da tradição Cristã. Nos ensinamentos de João Cassiano (século IV) e dos Padres e Madres do Deserto, ele aprofundou o significado da chamada «oração pura» e compreendeu que esta forma de oração poderia facilitar a busca de uma vida espiritual mais profunda. Em 1977 foi convidado pelo Arcebispo de Montreal, Canadá, a fundar um pequeno Mosteiro Beneditino, dedicado à prática e ao ensino da Meditação Cristã.

Genres: Spirituality, Christian, Nonfiction, Christianity, Prayer, Meditation

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

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

John Main was a Benedictine monk who taught Christian meditation.

Reviews

[Sister Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This small book contains a condensed, modernized version of The Cloud of Unknowing. Many Christians and non-Christians believe incorrectly that meditation is associated only with Eastern religions. In reality, meditative prayer dates back to the very beginnings of Christianity. The specific reason for meditation, or contemplation, is to listen to the Word of God in silence, without distraction. A short, how-to meditate, section at the end of the book not only provides instruction, the steps delve into the spirit of meditative practice.

[Kate Layzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Profound. Essential reading for anyone growing in a Christian contemplative practice. Since John Main believed that the best way to learn meditation is by practicing it, he offers very few practical helps. Instead, this book invites the reader/practitioner to gaze into the heart of the Christian contemplative and theological tradition... and above all to trust the silence.

[dely · Rating 2 out of 5]

Non è che abbia capito molto di quello che c'è scritto in questo libro. Ovvero, ho capito la spiegazione della meditazione cristiana, ma non il funzionamento; secondo me mancano spiegazioni più dettagliate. Sono abituata alla meditazione orientale (legata allo Yoga) e quando ho sentito che esiste anche una meditazione cristiana, ho voluto approfondire. Come presumo tutte le meditazioni, l'essenziale è la pratica guidata e spiegata da un insegnante perché la teoria lascia il tempo che trova. Questa può tornare utile durante o dopo aver appreso la pratica, ma non prima. A leggere questo libro sembra tutto molto facile (lo dice anche il titolo: "Via semplice alla meditazione"), ma secondo me non è sufficiente a chi vuole iniziare una meditazione individuale. Anche con la meditazione cristiana c'è bisogno di un maestro.

[Fede Boccacci · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro es uno de los primeros que describe la propuesta de la Comunidad mundial de meditación cristiana.

Propone la perseverante repetición de un mantra como el camino para llegar a la pobreza y a ese despojo de los aspectos fragmentados e ilusorios del yo, y así reconocer nuestra verdadera identidad: somos hijos del Padre y el ser de Dios es el que sostiene el nuestro.
El libro da algunos fundamentos y consejos prácticos para meditar: elegir una palabra, no modificarla, repetirla, meditar dos veces por día 20/30 minutos, buscar el mantra como el camino del despojo del yo, en el silencio poder encontrarse con la verdad del Otro y de los otros. También alerta sobre las posibles ilusiones como la del estado somnoliento o paz perniciosa que hacen creer haber llegado a un lugar profundo e impiden progresar.

Si bien el libro es interesante, los posteriores libros de Freeman (discípulo de Main) sobre el mismo teman logran un abordaje más profundo y abarcador.

Algunas frases para destacar:
“El centro de la oración está en Cristo y no en nosotros mismos”

““Cristo en ti”. Entonces en la oración no debemos esforzarnos para que algo ocurra. Porque ese algo ya ha sucedido.”

“La meditación es la oración de fe, porque primero debemos dejar de lado nuestro ego para que el Otro aparezca, sin saber a ciencia cierta si verdaderamente aparecerá”.

“Si el ser humano moderno ha perdido su experiencia del espíritu, es porque ha perdido su experiencia del silencio y su capacidad para él”

“Deberemos enfrentar con cierta vergüenza, el caótico alboroto de una mente destruida por tanta exposición a lo trivial y a las distracciones. Si atravesamos esta situación y perseveramos en fidelidad al mantra, nos encontraremos en un nivel más oscuro de conciencia, de temores y ansiedades reprimidos. La simpleza radical del mantra despeja eso también.”

“Al entrar en esos dos niveles de distracciones superficiales y ansiedad subconsciente, nos arriesgamos a ser lastimados. Sin embargo al entrar en el próximo estadío -a nuestro propio silencio-, arriesgamos todo, porque arriesgamos nuestro propio ser”

“Si los cristianos fracasamos hoy en proclamar el Evangelio de Jesús con la suficiente convicción y entusiasmo, es porque hemos olvidado que nuestro sentido esencial es existir para los demás”.

[Lenore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice, short introduction to praying with a mantra, which he grounds in scripture and meditation classics, especially The Cloud of Unknowing.

[Musiclib · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read from Fr. John. I usually don't re-read books, but this one is an exception. I have a feeling I will be re-reading it a lot!

[Books Of The Way · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Be still and know that I am God" - Psalm 46:10

Ask any middle class suburbanite and they will gleefully inform you of their trips to the Far East looking for "Spirituality" there. Yet, all they may come back with are pictures of street food, hemp pants, a vegan diet or perhaps some dreadlocks. But spiritual truth does not have a geographic location, and it is not a secret locked away in obscure rituals of "exotic" cultures. The truth is more simple and plain. And that's exactly the path to enlightenment, as espoused in "Word into Silence".

The introduction to "Word into Silence" sets out a groundwork for Christian Meditation, offering examples and references from history spanning from the 4th Century Desert Fathers, to the mystic 14th Century work, "The Cloud of Unknowing" all the way to the 20th Century work "Saccidananda" by the Indian-based Benedictine Monk, Abhishiktananda. Delving into these works, John Main explains how we need to reject obsession with the self and find a calmness and clearness in a simple silence - In this context, simple does not mean easy. To stop our mental chatter and whirling thoughts, Main follows the example of the Desert Fathers and the "Cloud of Unknowing" in reciting a mantra as a central focus point for the duration of your meditations (which he recommends in 30 minute sessions, twice daily).

What follows is a 12 step programme for meditation. The essential mantra offered is "Maranatha" which is ancient Aramaic for "Come, Lord". The radical simplicity of this mantra is offered as the focal point for your concentration, allowing worldly distractions and illusions to melt away and, rather than pray ourselves, understand that it is the Holy Spirit praying within us that grants us our enlightenment as communion with the Lord.

By entering this communion, by accepting the spirit, the meditator experiences a liberation/growth of spirit which is borne through the cycles of life and death and ressurection. What dies is our ego, our vanities and petty mindedness - They all die with Jesus on the cross. And it is through the ressurection that our new self, our better self, rises from the death of the old. Once we have passed through this, and understand how our poverty of soul is fertile ground for rebirth, we come to appreciate a certain richness in silence, something that transcends the constraints of language and description.

It isn't a secretive methodology, and it isn't esoteric in any fashion, but it is deceptively simple and difficult to stick with. As with any practice though, perseverance is the key.

Overall, a fantastically simple (yet tricky) call back to basics in meditation and prayer that shatters pre-conceived notions of spirituality, methods and purposes of prayer and revives long-forgotten aspects of Christianity. An eye-opener for both believers and non-believers alike.

[Martha.O.S · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up this book which was sitting on my shelf for so long, waiting to be read. It is a short guide book, providing clear instructions for meditation. Written by Benedictine Monk, John Main, it is based on the centuries old Christian tradition of centering prayer.

In short, it advises setting aside 30 minutes each morning and evening for ‘silent’ prayer time, choosing a mantra such as ‘Maranatha’ which will help keep you focused despite distracting thoughts, when thoughts do come, let them pass like clouds and keep returning to the mantra and the present moment, and eventually allow and listen, trusting that the indwelling Spirit will pray through you. It provides very clear guidance on all of these elements as well as grounding the roots of this method in history, providing a chapter too on John Cassian. Also it details the positive effects of regular, consistent centering prayer on one’s life.

As with anything, the practice of this, and especially the discipline of consistency in meditation is much more difficult than it seems. The book, while being clear and simple, recognizes this and encourages readers to persevere. The benefits, clarity and insights gained make it worthwhile.

Has it encouraged me enough to persevere? I have tried and failed, tried and failed so often. Yes, I will try again...

[Neil Saltmarsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't accurately rate this book as it has taken me some time of starting and stopping to get through it. This work needs close reading and many of the things that the author shares is wonderful. What does irk me a little about some Christian meditation texts is the prescriptive way of entering into attending to God's presence which is easy but I never find God formulaic. I know that this work promotes the use of a mantra, which I don't mind, and have used it when my own soul and mind has become scattered and unable to be quietened, but I don't find much scriptural support. Why wasn't scripture prescriptive? We find God where we are. He is always present but we are often not present to Him. When we are present in quiet, silence and attentiveness, our awareness is present and we are attentive to God. You can do that with or without a mantra (which we know what it means but is supposedly not readily suggestible).

[discoloimpenitente · Rating 3 out of 5]

Preso per imparare la meditazione mi sono ritrovato tra le mani qualcosa di diverso, qualcosa che in questo periodo non riesco a sentire mio, la fede. Libro molto ben fatto ricco di riferimenti biblici e filosofici ma che vuole stimolare e coateuire la meditazione cristiana che ha tantissimi punti in comune con quella laica se non nell'incontro, quella cristiana con Dio, quella laica con l'io più puro. Vale la pena leggerlo per completezza di conoscenza perché non sempre ci dicono che la preghiera può diventare meditazione.

[Zachary Mays · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wouldn’t say that this is a bad book. It's just not written in a style that particularly appeals to me or does much for me. It's a collection of random talks and transcripts which have the loose theme of being about Christian meditation. As such it is not a very meaty book taken as a whole. But of course Father Main's advice is well taken, and the final section of short devotional readings is the strongest part.

[Dana Kraft · Rating 2 out of 5]

I obviously wasn't ready to dive into this. I read it through and I understand the approach. I just couldn't do it, and wasn't ready to stick with it at this point. I may try at some other time.

[oscar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

An inspiring read that truly helps us find our center in Christ and gives us perspective on what meditation truly is and what it does.

[Harry Allagree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rather small book by the late John Main is a simple, clear "manual for Christian meditation".

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this gentle and thoughtful book, Main identifies some background in the Christian tradition for meditation. This meditation is based on the repeated name or title for God, or a short phrase from the Christian scriptures. This is repeated over and over for 20 to 30 minutes. In this edition of 'Word Into Silence' Main's language might be uncomfortable in a more gender inclusive time we now inhabit, but much of what he says is still very applicable today. He offers a background and some practical exercises.

[Ian]

This is a spectacular little book on the discipline of Christian meditation. Filled with wonderful reflections and instructions. I read a portion almost daily.

[Catherine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Umm - not 100% sure I understood exactly what he was talking about a lot of the time. Maybe I was too tired, or not on the right wavelength as other reviewers seem to love it.

[Tom Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very helpful and useful first step.

[Charles]

Am curious to learn

[Leonardo]

Meditación Cristiana.