In the Spirit of Happiness

by Monks of New Skete and The Monks of New Skete

Book Overview

The bestselling authors of "How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend" show how their strong connections with dogs and the natural world stem from the principles of monastic life. The elements of a monk's life... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316578517
• ISBN13: 9780316578516
• Release Date: November 1999
• Publisher: Little Brown and Company
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 13 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 8 and higher

Customer Reviews

Read this book if you want to learn how to acheive Happiness

Outstanding! A feast of the practical and the balanced. This book gives the reader a breifing about the Monks of New Skete and answers questions like "What is Monasticism? and What is a Monk?" etc. in the "Interlude" chapters. Then in the other chapters it offers practical advice on living a balanced Christian life that is community centered (Matthew 18:20 & 2 Peter 1:20.) In the chapters "Sacred Reading and the Word" and "Practicing Sacred Reading" they offer advice conserning the daily reading of the Psalms, which anyone will benefit from. As evidenced in other reviews the modern conservative fundamentalist crowd might have a minor mute issue with something in this book.

A balanced and sober approach to Christian ascetics

A great introduction to Christian ascetics. It is very balanced, sober and ideal for a modern American.

You don't have to be a monk...

We came across this book quite by accident, when looking for something else (we've forgotten what!) in the self-help section of a local bookstore. It seemed to jump off the shelf at us!You don't have to be a monk to read this, or follow it. The writing is down to earth, and follows a seeker's experience with the monks who broke away from their original Franciscan monastery in the mid 1960's, to form their own. This is no easy feat! They were led by the belief there is meaning in eastern christianity (fundamentalists or traditionalists will find this book too liberal for their liking). Indeed, their monastery had room for brothers and sisters, living a celibate spiritual life.There is much beauty and substance in this book -- we only wish it were available in paperback, to make it more accessible to more people. If you are wondering how to live a spiritual life every day, if you would like to be monklike, but have responsibilities that keep you in the worldy life, do not despair! This book is something that can help you, and uplift you, in a down-to-earth yet uplifting way!

BEST BOOK ON THE SPIRITUAL LIFE FOR EVERYDAY PEOPLE

This book is amazing. I have read many books on the spiritual life and the monastic life, and this is the very best. Although written by monks, this book presents profound insights into living a completely spiritual, peaceful, and happy life in the world. This exceptional book will transform your perspectives on work, love, prayer, and the whole of life, and direct you towards bringing every aspect of your busy life into complete harmony and happiness. Very realistic and deep wisdom expressed very simply to accomodate all audiences, from monk to businessman to world leader. If you desire a deeper spiritual life, a more meaningful life, or a happier life, you must read this book!

In search of happiness

"In The Spirit of Happiness" by the Monks of New Skete, came to me by accident while browsing the religion section of a local bookstore. This book ignites a flame at the core of our souls. Written in simple, straightforward language for the layperson, "In The Spirit of Happiness" provides readers as well as distressed and hopeless pilgrims with wholehearted advice. Particularly, it is appropriate for those hungry for spiritual direction, guidance, hope and happiness. The colorful, real examples and guidance provided by the Monks of New Skete stems from their contemporary way of life that has its roots in the Orthodox Catholic Church.The Monks of New Skete support that spiritual change 'has to come from the heart, and not by simply following someone else's behavioral prescriptions'. They maintain that change requires spiritual discipline and, 'our task is to work continuously to clean up our hearts, our intentions, our fundamental stance towards life'. "In The Spirit of Happiness" educates readers about monasticism, and monastic asceticism which integrates the wisdom of the mind with that of the heart' and, 'right practice should flow naturally from right thinking about reality' with God at the depths of our souls. The monks share with readers their belief that spiritual life is 'pushing ourselves beyond our own static self-conceptions in an ever-deepening communion with the source of life itself'.Readers will gain much insight from the chapters in this book. For instance, in the chapter of 'Self-Knowledge', the monks emphasize the importance of knowing ourselves to the core. This,requires courage, that is, the need to dive deep within our souls and deal with whatever issues and pain we may have. To accomplish self-knowledge, we need certain tools and, the Monks of New Skete share them with the readers. They emphasize the value of contemplative, silent prayer, liturgical and community worship. Spiritual nourishment can be obtained from colorful writings on the chapter of 'Sacred Reading'. 'Lectio Divina', or 'spiritual reading', a discipline of meditating from Bible passages. The monks advocate that 'God is present everywhere' and that we must 'invite God's Spirit to lead us to deeper understanding and a willingness to show it in the way we act'. God speaks to us in silence, and where there is too much noise within the depths of our souls and in our environment we cannot hear His whisper. Hence, the monks provide suggestions on how to pray.Food for reflection is available from chapters about 'What Does Love Look Like?' and 'Good Work'. The writers emphasize that 'Love is not abstract: it must be concrete'. It is in the small human deeds and acts that we are able to grasp true love. Furthermore, the monks support the need to work as it 'is essential in spiritual life'. In essence, work should be one of the many sources of spiritual nourishment as we pilgrims journey towards happiness.In the chapter 'A River of