Illuminated Life: Monastic Wisdom for Seekers of Light

I love Sister Joan’s writings! This is an easy to read and digest devotional or use, as we do, in a Sunday school class. Each chapter ( A-Z) is easy to read and discuss in a one hour setting. The topics stimulate conversation and reflection.

Reading this wonderful book is richly nourishing in the monastic wisdom that guides the seeker in finding the presence of God in the everyday living of life. Whether performing the most humble of tasks or simply seeing the face of God in the neighbor, marvelling at the complexity and beauty of the creation around us and so much more, corporate, communal worship then flows into the weekday world and sustains that presence in a healthy, non-compartmentalized spirituality. This is a book that deserves to be a part of daily reading as it is timeless.

I am using this as part of a daily meditation. It's essentially an A-Z of spiritual / contemplative principles and each day I read one letter of the alphabet. It is also a helpful reference when I am struggling with a specific area to go and re-read that section. It is therefore also an extremely helpful tool when working with others as you can jump to the concept most relevant. Have also used it for a small group reading and discussion where we each shared what passages spoke most to us from the section being discussed and then discussed those.

This is one of my favorite authors of spirituality. She says a lot with few words. This book is a terrific daily devotional. There is a chapter for every letter of the alphabet, so reading it over and over again is easy to do on a monthly basis. By the end of a year of continually reading this gem of a book, the characteristics she writes of should be pretty well ingrained within a person!

For those of you who just want a little something to read now and then, or daily for a short period of time, this book might fit the bill. Chittister spends a couple pages from A to Z on various thoughts, qualities, and aspects of monastic life. Read a little or a lot...choice is up to you and how much you want to "chew on" for that day. Nothing burdensome...

This book is for everybody and anybody who in one letter of the alphabet can listen and thinkabout ones self.

Excellent condition, great meditations

Our Adult education co-ordinator has used this in presentations over the past year. It is insightful and worth reading again and again. Putting the principals in action will result in a changed life.

A book to calm the soul, an illuminated life has an elegantly simple structure that allocates one word to each letter of the alphabet that is followed by a thought provoking essay on each one. So 'Ds' topic is dailiness and starts with a simple reminder to start each day anew and what to consider for each new morning.Profoundly refreshing, clear and kind - this book is a perfect antidote for anyone who has been driven mad by the pettifogging banality of church preaching.

A little disappointed as a lot of underlining in book. Otherwise good.. Have used world of books many times and can recommend.

A beautiful little book, full of wisdom and common sense from both Joan C. and the Desert Fathers and Mothers.

Came on time. Great book.