Solitude and Silence
Description
What can the lay person learn from the life of a monk? Solitude and Silence are two pillars of monastic life that many people quickly point to as the hardest and most confusing parts of this kind of religious consecration. However, the great spiritual writer Thomas à Kempis, author of The Imitation of Christ, helps us to understand that all Christians are called to some solitude and silence in our lives while not taking on a complete eremitical life. He recommends the systematic and intentional incorporation of solitude and silence in a manner which is consistent with each one''s vocation and state of life.
It is important for us to cultivate these two habits in order to enter into contemplation and conversation with God. This vision of God may also be experienced (to varying degrees) even in this world, through the grace of contemplative prayer. And silence and solitude are the hallowed doors through which one must pass to arrive at this delightful and serene state of holy contemplation.
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Content
- Intro
- Halftitle Page
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Contents
- Translator's Note
- 1. Solitude
- In Praise of Solitude
- Mindfulness of the Goodness of God
- True Humility before the Will of God
- In Moments of Peace and Tranquility, It Is Useful to Remember Times of Stress and Struggle
- Love of Solitude
- The Special Privilege of Solitude
- Disdain for External Consolations
- The Value of Human Spiritual Support for Those Who Are Struggling
- The Consolation of the Sacred Scriptures
- Spiritual Delight in the Company of the Saints
- Mindfulness of Those Who Have Passed Away
- The Joys of the Person Who Is Content with Solitude
- The Virtues and Value of Community Life
- The Love of Solitude as a Sign of Devotion
- The Trials and Temptations of Devout Souls
- The Vanity and Insufficiency of All Earthly Consolations
- A Commendation of the Delights of Heaven, Which Abides in Jesus Christ
- Friendship with Jesus
- The Different Ways in Which Jesus Is Present to Those Who Love Him
- The Merits of Enduring Suffering in Union with Christ
- The Solace and Support of the Presence of Christ
- The Life of Christ and of the Saints Was Not of This World
- The Peace and Tranquility of Those Who Choose the Contemplative Life
- The Secret Ark of the Heart
- 2. Silence
- Silence: The Protector and Guardian of Piety
- The Example of Silence in the Prophet David
- The Recommendation of Silence by the Saints and Founders of Religious Orders
- The Virtues of Silence
- A Remedy against Excessive Talkativeness
- The Spiritual Perils of Loquaciousness
- When Is Speaking at Length Useful and Helpful?
- A Word of Caution against Excessive Rigor or Singularity in the Observance of Silence
- Silence and Speech for People in Different States of Life
- Some Particular Spiritual Snares Associated with Prolonged Conversations
- The Dangers of Speaking Late into the Night
- Bad Experiences Springing from Late-Night Conversations
- Some Advice on Avoiding Conversations Which Damage Virtue
- Necessary Speech
- On Turning to God Alone
- A Consideration for the Wise
- The Difficulties of People Who Are in the Habit of Unrestrained Speech
- How an Excessively Talkative Person Can Correct Himself
- The Multitude of Vices Which Appear in Speech
- The Vice of Detraction
- How Easy It Is to Sin in Our Words and Our Hearts
- How a Person Can Be Deceived and Retracted from the Good Intention of Cultivating Restraint of Speech
- Applying Discretion in Everything Which Has Been Recommended
- As a Whole, We Need to Cultivate Silence More than Speech
- Why We Sometimes Fail to Find Spiritual Consolations
- How the Devil Often Strives to Impede Devotion to God through Sadness and Boredom
- Strength and Courage Are Needed to Overcome the Enemy
- Appendix: Of the Love of Solitude and Silence
