When Silence Speaks: The Spiritual Way of the Carthusian Order

This is an unusual book in that it goes into great depth about the spiritual life of the Carthusians. The question arises: Does it make any real sense to the reader and what message if any can be gained from it? In order to understand what is being said we have to think in terms of the Incarnation. We are not who we think we are for within each of us is a depth that can hold the entirety of God. Meister Eckhart says: ‘the depth of God and the depth of the soul are one single deep.’ And as the psalmist says ‘Deep calls unto deep’ so when these monks are in silent company and prayer then what is deep in each one calls to what is deep in each other and this calling goes all the way through the entire universe because of their total detachment and their total surrender to God. They are an echo chamber for the Word. What message is contained in their life and silence and commitment? The message is simple: Change the direction in which you are seeking happiness.

Excellent resource for the admirer of Carthusian life. A glimpse of the life and a connection to its roots and its relevance to us today

I found this book to be clear and concise. I'm soon making a vocational retreat. Will update my review upon y return assuming I return. Pray for me. ➕

Very good insight into the spirituality and way of living of these outstanding men.

Fits into collection of Desert Fathers seamlessly.

good product

This is a most rewarding book on total committment to Jesus and to a life lived for God alone in a Monastery. The book is not about life in the Monastery but rather about spiritual growth and the pitfalls that we meet along that path. It is a book to be read slowly and to spend time thinking about what was just read. To rush through the book would be comparable to rushing through a testbook on Astrophysics in a couple od days--rather worthless for most of us mortals. But this is a treasure and very well worth reading by anyone, lay or religious, Catholic or other form of Christianity, that wants to understand how God helps us in the spiritual life that we seldom discuss with anyone. I do recommend it for these people. It is also good for those who wonder what Monks do in there Monasteries all day, and night!

Good introduction and easy to read.

Can't put it down. A book you need to read over and over again

Good service and excellent book.