Review by Booklist Review
McColman, a Christian layman who practices contemplative prayer and retreat, offers an accessible guide for those who feel the need to respond to a similar call. He divides his presentation into three stages: recognizing the contemplative call, preparing to follow it, and undertaking it. He writes for an audience that he assumes shares his interest, but he doesn't claim contemplation as either a panacea for all spiritual needs or as specific to Christianity. Relying on historical examples of such famous contemplatives as Teresa of Ávila and Augustine of Hippo, McColman also acknowledges how contemplation now is contextualized by a social and scientific world far different from that of the Middle Ages. Ending with a discussion of the community aspects of contemplation, this is a complete handbook that can lend comfort and credence to the felt needs of latter day followers of Thomas Merton. Source notes provide a wealth of resources for interested readers to consult.--Goldsmith, Francisca Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this book, aimed both at beginners and those hoping to steer their faith in a more contemplative direction, McColman (The Big Book of Christian Mysticism) acts as guide and companion on the journey to becoming a Christian mystic. "A mystic," writes McColman, "is simply a man or woman in love with God, and the Church is hungry for such people." McColman fleshes out the "spiritual journey" metaphor, using it in robust ways to describe preparing for and embarking on the mystical path. The book is divided into three parts-recognizing the call, preparing for the journey, and setting out on the adventure. Although McColman covers well-trodden ground-and perhaps overuses the word "silly" in the first part of the book-his apt choice of quotations and stories from Christian mystics (including the Desert Fathers, Julian of Norwich, and Thomas Merton) and his strong final section make the book an informative and worthwhile read. Agent: Linda Roghaar (Feb.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
