Product Description

Poignant wisdom stories from the Fathers, and contemporary interpretations based on solid psychological and theological understanding reveal a spirituality of clarity and compassion.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #100512 in Books
• Published on: 1999-11-25
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 126 pages

Excerpted from Heaven Begins Within You : Wisdom from the Desert Fathers by Anselm Gruen, Peter Heinegg. Copyright © 1999. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved
"In the final analysis, behind the insistence on asceticism lies a positive image of humanity. The monks believe that we can work on ourselves. We aren't completely at the mercy of our predispositions or our past upbringing. The monks don't try to find excuses for themselves in an education gone wrong; they don't put the blame for their lives on other people. They don't feel helplessly abandoned to their desires. Instead, they trust the power that God has given us, a power by which we can liberate ourselves from the obstacles that might hold us back from life."

Customer Reviews

original spirituality
Based on the writing of Evagrius this book presents the basic, down to earth approach to spirituality, using Christianity as a frame. Not the moral Christian theology loaded with the heavy burden of sin and condemnation but the fresh life affirming approach to your soul and to God. Like me, you do not need to be a "sworn Christian" to appreciate this book.
It is contemporary, eventhough it presents the ancient wisdom of the Desert Fathers. It's highly practical and inspiring, and it offers a really coherent guidance that connects psychology and religion. In our modern world this book tells you in which direction to look. It also helps you to walk your talk if you are really serious about your spiritual development. Buy it!

An essencial book
I have just loved reading this book because the author has provided us with essencial knowledge which means being closer to one's self,and finding God in happiness and sadness. The moving way he writes make us closer to ourself's , stimulates us to meditate about our shadows and lights and slowly incorporate everything that comes to us, transforming it all into a higher dimension.Finally, I would say that I have come to feel and experience God closer after reading this book.

Heaven Begins Within You
An Outstanding book, that we can incorporate into our daily lives, even though we are not monks. The practical knowledge is extremely useful in dealing with the human condition. It offers a fascinating perspective that wholeness with God can be obtained by exploring the depths of the human soul, instead of trying to reach the hights of God by our own works. The advice can certainly give us a new alternative to our debilitating habbits of unforgiveness and judgement. When something is over, it's over. These are words to live by. Also who am I to judge another when we are all so uniquely different. A tollerance and a compassion can be achieved with our fellow human beings with this new compelling philosophy. I highly reccomend this book.