Tools Matter for Practicing the Spiritual Life

by Funk, Mary Margaret

• ISBN13: 9780826416551
• ISBN10: 0826416551
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-07-30
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Academic

Summary

Funk turns to the wisdom of the desert fathers for the means of removing obstacles to spiritual growth, which include thoughts of food, sex, possessions, anger, dejection, and pride, among other preoccupations. Redirecting thought away from such weeds in the garden of the spirit can lead to a greater awareness of God. This somewhat Zen-like method to mental discipline may seem impossible at first, Funk admits, but those who succeed at it are rewarded with a liberating experience as they come to observe and control individual thought processes. Drawing on the writings of the fifth-century monk John Cassian, Funk goes on to explore deeply using such tools as memory, imagination, and rational thinking--tools right out of early Christianity--to work on inner healing. She also explains how other positive tools, such as ceaseless prayer, manual labor, and isolation, may lead to uncluttering the mind and purifying the heart.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Acknowledgments	viii
Introduction: A Garden Where Tools Matter	1	(4)
Thoughts and Tools	5	(20)
Teachings on Thoughts and Practice
Lectio Divina
John Cassian's Four Renunciations
Afflictions	25	(26)
Thoughts of the Body: Food, Sex, and Things
Thoughts of the Mind: Anger and Dejection
Thoughts of the Soul: Acedia, Vainglory, and Pride
Negative Tools	51	(14)
Guard of the Heart
Watchfulness of Thoughts
Fasting
Dreams
Repentance
Positive Tools	65	(16)
Ceaseless Prayer
Manual Labor
The Cell
Vigils
Manifestation of Thoughts
Social Tools	81	(12)
Humility
Ministry
The Common Table
Prayer Tools	93	(36)
Negative Prayer Tools (Apophatic)
The Jesus Prayer (Prayer of the Heart)
The Practice of Emptiness (The Cloud of Unknowing)
The Little Way of St. Therese of Lisieux
The Practice of Self-Abandonment of Jean-Pierre de Caussade
Positive Prayer Tools (Kataphatic)
The Practice of the Presence of God of Brother Lawrence
The Practice of Colloquy of Gabrielle Bossis
The Practice of Recollection of St. Teresa of Avila
Biblical Practices
The Practice of Graced Suffering
The Pauline Practice of No Preference
Tools of Discernment	129	(20)
Discernment Is Sorting
Discernment in the Monastic Tradition
Spiritual Direction
The Limitations of Tools
Conclusion: When Tools Don't Matter	149	(2)
Notes	151	(6)
Select Bibliography	157