David Steindl-Rast: Essential Writings

Modern Spiritual Masters

by David Steindl-Rast, Clare Hallward (Editor)

In these writings monastic wisdom meets the spiritual questions and hungers of our age. "Much of our life may be a wandering in the desert lands, but we do find springs of water. If what is called 'God' means in the language of experience the ultimate Source of Meaning, then those moments that quench the thirst of the heat are moments of prayer."

David Steindl-Rast (b. 1926), an Austrian-born Benedictine monk, is one of the most influential spiritual teachers in the world. Founder of the Mount Savior Monastery in Elmira, New York, he was an early pioneer in the field of Buddhist-Christian dialogue. As a leading figure in the House of Prayer movement, he contributed to a broad renewal of religious life. In classic books such as Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer, and A Listening Heart, he advanced the notion of "grateful living." Gratefulness, he wrote, is "the inner gesture of giving meaning to our life by receiving life as a gift."

Genres: Philosophy, Christianity, Spirituality, Nonfiction

172 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2010

About the author

Brother David Steindl-Rast is a Benedictine monk, author, and lecturer widely recognized for his commitment to interfaith dialogue and his emphasis on gratitude as a transformative spiritual practice. Born in Vienna in 1926, he survived the challenges of World War II before emigrating to the United States in 1952. He entered monastic life at Mount Saviour Monastery and went on to engage deeply with both Christian and Buddhist traditions, studying with notable Zen masters. His work bridges spirituality and science and has led him to collaborate with religious and cultural figures across traditions. He co-founded the Center for Spiritual Studies and A Network for Grateful Living, advocating for gratefulness as essential to human flourishing. His writings include Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer and Belonging to the Universe (with Fritjof Capra). Known for his mystical approach, he describes religion as a living flame that must be rediscovered beneath layers of doctrine, ritual, and dogma.

Reviews

[Katherine Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please allow me to introduce you to Brother David, a Benedictine monk with close ties to Paul Tillich and Thomas Merton. I’ve heard him speak several times, and he is both a brilliant philosopher (in the most intellectually rigorous sense) and a brilliant spiritual leader (in the most genuine and inspiring sense). His central concept is gratefulness – not in a glitter and unicorns way, but in a deeply rooted, action-oriented way.

[Mira · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book

[E Louise Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent compilation of excerpts from one of my favorite writers. It also includes some excerpts from interviews and speeches I had not previously seen.

[Christopher Sanderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

my favourite go-to book of the moment for an infusion of peace, gentleness, gratefulness, and wisdom

[Ryan Greer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable overall yet a little simplistic at times. Brother David hits on some topics that are really close to my heart, including thoughts on prayer and what it should look like in day-to-day life, as well as the great gap of difference between being alone and loneliness (which is why he and I both share a love for Rainer Maria Rilke and T.S. Eliot.

Here are a couple excerpts that I jotted down:

There are occasions when it is time for something, whether you like it or not. And if you come only five minutes late, the sun is not going to re-rise for you; it is not going to re-set for you; and noon is not going to come a little later because you turned the clock back. (108)

It is surprising how much togetherness one needs in order to save aloneness from deteriorating into loneliness. Here lies the root of monastic community. Solitude and togetherness make each other possible. Take away solitude, and togetherness becomes subhuman gregariousness; take away togetherness and solitude becomes desolation. (117)

I'd recommend it as a primer for those interested in monastic life or to learn about Christian-Buddhist interfaith dialogue, but there are other books out there that hit some of these points even harder.