Tools Matter for Practicing the Spiritual Life
- New York Continuum International Publishing Group Inc. 2001
- 167p
includes index and biblioraphy
INTRODUCTION: A Garden Where Tools Matter 1. THOUGHTS AND TOOLS Teachings on Thoughts and Practice Lectio Divina John Cassian`s Four Renunciations 2. AFFLICTIONS Thoughts of the Body: Food, Sex, and Things Thoughts of the Mind: Anger and Dejection Thoughts of the Soul: Acedia, Vainglory, and Pride 3. NEGATIVE TOOLS Guard of the Heart Watchfulness of Thoughts Fasting Dreams Repentance 4. POSITIVE TOOLS Ceaseless Prayer Manual Labor The Cell Vigils Manifestation of Thoughts 5. SOCIAL TOOLS Humility Ministry The Common Table 6. PRAYER TOOLS 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 7. TOOLS OF DISCERNMENT Discernment Is Sorting Discernment in the Monastic Tradition Spiritual Direction The Limitations of Tools