Let Your Deepest Soul Rejoice

You are the Beloved of the Divine Lover. You are loved with a love beyond that which human words can express, which song and pen seek in some way to convey or at least hint at. Let go. Let the currents of love invade you. Let your deepest soul rejoice. from the Preface

In the tradition of Christian mysticism, including Bernard of Clairvaux, Gregory the Great, and Ambrose of Milan, M. Basil Pennington shares his reflections on the Bible s most challenging mystical text, the ancient love poem that is the "Song of Songs." In this extraordinary volume, Pennington is joined by the profound Jewish artist Phillip Ratner, whose inspired works call forth from Pennington not only transcendent prayer and rich analogy but also the deepest sentiments that are common to every human mind and heart.

Pennington reflects on the ways you can use the "Song of Songs" to fulfill your own unutterable aspirations. Enriched by Jewish and Christian faith, the drawings and meditations speak to you and every person who desires to connect with their deepest, most human longings. Allow yourself to let go and delve into the poetry of "Song of Songs," to find joy in the boundless love of God for you, the beloved child. Allow yourself to experience this story of love human love yearning for the Divine.

Let the Psalms help you forge a deeper connection to the Divine. Showing how the Psalms give profound and candid expression to both our highest aspirations and our deepest pain, the late, highly respected Cistercian Abbot M. Basil Pennington shares his reflections on some of the most beloved passages from the Bible’s most widely read book. In this companion volume to The Song of Songs: A Spiritual Commentary, Pennington is once again joined by Jewish artist Phillip Ratner, whose evocative works will lead you into more meaningful contemplation of the inner spirit of the Psalms. Pennington describes how the monastic tradition of regular reflection on the Psalms—a technique St. Benedict called the “work of God,” or Opus Dei—can help you transform your everyday life into a powerful life of prayer. Enriched by Jewish and Christian faith, the drawings and meditations speak to every person wanting both to connect with their most human longings and to forge a vital connection with the Divine.

A new edition of the classic that helped launch the Centering Prayer movement. Centering Prayer is a precious part of the ancient spiritual traditions of the West. When Finding Grace at the Center was first published in 1978, people all over the world welcomed this practical guide to a simple and beautiful form of meditative prayer. Reflections and advice on Centering Prayer's possibilities—and its pitfalls—are presented with clarity and simplicity, with a vision of the deeper life of the soul that contemplative prayer can bring about. Now, with a new foreword by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, PhD, another generation will discover the amazing difference Centering Prayer can make in their lives.

Let the Psalms help you forge a deeper connection to the Divine.

Showing how the Psalms give profound and candid expression to both our highest aspirations and our deepest pain, the late, highly respected Cistercian Abbot M. Basil Pennington shares his reflections on some of the most beloved passages from the Bible s most widely read book. In this companion volume to "The Song of Songs: A Spiritual Commentary," Pennington is once again joined by Jewish artist Phillip Ratner, whose evocative works will lead you into more meaningful contemplation of the inner spirit of the Psalms.

Pennington describes how the monastic tradition of regular reflection on the Psalms a technique St. Benedict called the work of God, or Opus Dei can help you transform your everyday life into a powerful life of prayer. Enriched by Jewish and Christian faith, the drawings and meditations speak to every person wanting both to connect with their most human longings and to forge a vital connection with the Divine.

Discover the rich spirituality of monastic life on Mount Athos
a place like no other on earth.

Twenty-five years ago, M. Basil Pennington, OCSO, was the first Western monk to live on Mount Athos for more than the usually permitted overnight visit. "The Monks of Mount Athos" chronicles his extraordinary stay, his experiences of the East, and lively conversations with his hosts about theological differences and unfamiliar spiritual practices.

Listen in as Abbot Basil wrestles with historical differences between Christianitys East and West, learns the Orthodox practice of the prayer of the heart, and explores the landscape, the monastic communities, and the food of Athosa monastic republic like no other place on earth. New to this edition, Archimandrite Dionysios, a monk from the Holy Mountain, reflects on the ecumenical openness fostered as a result of, and since, Abbot Basils stay.

The abbots experiences on Mount Athos motivated him to re-examine his role as a monk and his relationship to God. His inspiring meditations will help you to explore your own relationship to God and to others.

Much is said in Christian circles about knowing God. But Christians throughout the ages have agreed that there cannot be deep knowledge of God without deep knowledge of the self. Discerning your true self is inextricably related to discerning God's purposes for you. Paradoxically, the more you become like Christ, the more you become authentically yourself.

In this profound exploration of Christian identity, psychologist and spiritual director David G. Benner illuminates the spirituality of self-discovery. He exposes the false selves that you may hide behind and calls you to discover the true self that emerges from your uniqueness in Christ. Freeing you from illusions about yourself, Benner shows that self-understanding leads to the fulfillment of your God-given destiny and vocation.

Rest assured, you need not try to be someone you are not. But you will deepen your experience of God through discovering the gift of being yourself.

This expanded edition, one of three titles in The Spiritual Journey trilogy, includes a new epilogue and an experiential guide with questions for individual reflection or group discussion.

Let Your Deepest Soul Rejoice

You are the Beloved of the Divine Lover. You are loved with a love beyond that which human words can express, which song and pen seek in some way to convey or at least hint at. Let go. Let the currents of love invade you. Let your deepest soul rejoice. from the Preface

In the tradition of Christian mysticism, including Bernard of Clairvaux, Gregory the Great, and Ambrose of Milan, M. Basil Pennington shares his reflections on the Bible s most challenging mystical text, the ancient love poem that is the "Song of Songs." In this extraordinary volume, Pennington is joined by the profound Jewish artist Phillip Ratner, whose inspired works call forth from Pennington not only transcendent prayer and rich analogy but also the deepest sentiments that are common to every human mind and heart.

Pennington reflects on the ways you can use the "Song of Songs" to fulfill your own unutterable aspirations. Enriched by Jewish and Christian faith, the drawings and meditations speak to you and every person who desires to connect with their deepest, most human longings. Allow yourself to let go and delve into the poetry of "Song of Songs," to find joy in the boundless love of God for you, the beloved child. Allow yourself to experience this story of love human love yearning for the Divine.

Well-known retreat master and author of the bestselling "Centering Prayer, " Basil Pennington now demonstrates the spiritually enriching power of that ancient prayer technique when used in conjunction with scripture. Just as a centering prayer involves listening to a call, he explains, so too our encounters with the Word of God are a "listening" experience.
This devotional book contains thirty excerpts from Matthew's Gospel with corresponding meditational essays that invite prayerful reflection through "centering." We are guided through such areas as poverty of spirit, self-alienation, the transformation of consciousness, authentic love, abandonment and "letting go," and openness to the Spirit.
Equally suites for a personal at-home retreat or in a prayer-group setting, this treasury of Gospel spirituality brings even greater joy to the experience of centering prayer.

A new edition of the classic that helped launch the Centering Prayer movement. Centering Prayer is a precious part of the ancient spiritual traditions of the West. When Finding Grace at the Center was first published in 1978, people all over the world welcomed this practical guide to a simple and beautiful form of meditative prayer. Reflections and advice on Centering Prayer's possibilities - and its pitfalls - are presented with clarity and simplicity, with a vision of the deeper life of the soul that contemplative prayer can bring about. Now, with a new foreword by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, PhD, another generation will discover the amazing difference Centering Prayer can make in their lives.

A Hindu ashram. A Buddhist meditation center. A Cistercian monastery. Today, thousands of people, hungry to live more balanced and spiritually centered lives, flock to these sources of ancient wisdom. According to M. Basil Pennington, one of the spiritual masters of our age, seekers who visit his monastery want to know the Christian method of transformation. He replies that it is lectio divina-an ancient practice of sacred reading. As Pennington explains, "If each day a word of the Lord can truly come alive for us and can form our mind and heart, we will have that mind of Christ." This Book presents forty Scripture passages from the life of Christ, paired with a compelling meditation by Basil Pennington. By sharing the fruits of his own lectio, Pennington provides an illuminating daily guide to "seeking his mind."

"For today's hungry Christians, teachings on the Rule of Saint Benedict by one of the twentieth century's best-loved Catholic writers."
"Benedict is saying, 'Wake up Open your eyes Open your ears Let the divine life and light invade you so that your life is filled with aspiration, joy and hope.'" - M. Basil Pennington
At Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery in Conyers, Georgia, Abbot Basil Pennington gave weekly talks to the monks on the Rule of Saint Benedict. Now, readers and listeners are able to sit and learn from one of the most important spiritual teachers of the last century. The talks have been lovingly transcribed and organized into book form, and they have also been exquisitely preserved on a single compact disk.
This ancient Rule, written in the sixth century, continues to be a guide for men and women wishing to live a Christian life. Beginning with the prologue, Abbot Basil reads and comments on selected passages, providing the monks with insights into applying them in daily living. He takes the Latin phrases from the Rule and translates them into wisdom for the journey. Using his own monastic experiences, Basil illustrates how the Rule is more than a guide - it is a way of life to be lived in love for Jesus Christ and in service to others.
The "Listen With Your Heart Compact Disc" (double CD) is the recorded version of M. Basil Pennington giving nine of the talks from which the book is transcribed.

An informative and fascinating look at Mertons life and writings by a fellow-Trappist. Pennington describes Merton as a monk, a mystic yes! A merry, mischievous monk and a modern, muddied mystic. Deadly intent upon becoming a saint what else is there to do knowing that a can of beer is a help along the way. Father Basil takes us on a whirlwind review through the seasons of Mertons life and work.

In this engaging guide, M. Basil Pennington takes us on a retreat with Thomas Merton, in Merton's own Kentucky hermitage, reading his writings on the spiritual life, praying the hours, caring for the birds on the front porch. This is the place where Merton found greater silence and solitude than was possible for him within the walls of the monastery. Pennington fills this eloquent introduction to Merton with photographs taken in and around the hermitage. Engaging the World with Merton enables each of us to have a retreat with Pennington's friend and mentor as our companion, as we seek the kingdom of God within.

Revised and Updated Edition! Call to the Center is a refreshing collection of short meditations on the Gospel of Matthew. It is also an invitation to learn the simple and sincere form of prayer from the heart called Centering Prayer. Pennington writes that Centering Prayer is a call, the call, letting everything else go, simply listening: Be still and know that I am your God. Each reflection will lead the reader to an encounter with the One who calls, to talk freely with God, from the heart. Perfect for personal or prayer group study and reflection, and as a resource for retreats and workshops.

Connecting his own powerful spirituality with the humanism of de Chardin and the contemplative wisdom of Merton, Pennington deftly uncovers the direct route to happiness and peace our age so desperately seeks. M. Basil Pennington is a Trappist monk at St. Joseph's Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts, and the author of "Lectio Divina" and "Living in the Question." In this brief but illuminating work, Pennington sheds light on the spiritual practice of transformation, which for Christians comes under the auspices of the Holy Spirit. Pennington wants us to love ourselves for God's sake and to take seriously the transformations that the Holy Spirit is working within us.

One of the most popular meditative techniques in today's worm is the practice of centering prayer. The spiritual insights of "centering" have profoundly changed the lives of Christians everywhere. In its simplicity, it opens our hearts to God and leads us into the fullness of life.

Written for both the experienced and beginning pray-er, this enriching book is a helpful tutor for one who practices or wishes to practice centering prayer. In easy-to-understand, non-technical terms, popular author M. Basil Pennington combines testimonies of practitioners, updated guidelines for centering prayer, theological reflections, and helpful hints for teaching others in an exploration of all the essential information about this popular contemplative technique. For Father Pennington and millions of Christians worldwide, it is the experience of prayer rather than the mere words that connects us with the larger mysteries of life and the universe.

More than just a compilation of facts and practical suggestions, Centered Living situates "centering" within Catholic theology -- making it a valuable resource for even the most seasoned pray-er or catechist. However, the simplicity of Father Pennington's language also enables newcomers, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, to develop a firm grasp on the practice. Perfect for anyone looking to renew his or her prayer life.

Lectio divina is "letting our Divine Friend speak to us through his inspired and inspiring Word," according to M. Basil Pennington, the late priest, retreat master, and prominent lecturer in the Centering Prayer movement. This ancient Christian practice requires faith, humility, openness, and fidelity. Father Pennington sets the process of praying the Scriptures in the context of meditation, contemplation, compassion, and action. He calls it "a way of friendship" wherein we pay attention to "the love letters from the Lord." Lectio, as a satisfying mental and emotional experience, can be enhanced by reading different translations of the Bible, using commentaries, participating in Bible study groups, and using the resources of Scripture-oriented websites.

By the fourth century A.D., devout Christians--men and women alike--had begun to retreat from cities and villages to the deserts of North Africa and Asia Minor, where they sought liberation from their corrupt society and the confining shell of the social self. The Desert Fathers is the perfect introduction to the stories and sayings of these heroic pioneers of the contemplative tradition. Selected and translated by Helen Waddell, The Desert Fathers opens a window onto early Christianity while presenting us with touchingly human models of faith, humility, and compassion. With a new Preface by the Cistercian monk, writer, and revered teacher of contemplative prayer M. Basil Pennington, author of O Holy Mountain and Challenges in Prayer.

"God is our home but many of us have strayed from our native land.  The venerable authors of these Spiritual Classics are expert guides--may we follow their directions home."
--Archbishop Desmond Tutu

The son of burgundian nobility, Bernard admitted after years of struggle that humility remained for him the most elusive of the virtues. Yet the uncompromising vehemence of his love for God made him strive for what monastic tradition taught is indispensable to anyone hoping to share God's perfect love.

This devotional guide commemorates the saints universally honored in the Roman Catholic Church. Father Pennington has written an insightful Introduction which illuminates the spiritual graces we can experience when meditating on and praying with the saints throughout the year.
The entries are arranged chronologically, corresponding to the feasts observed at weekday liturgies. Pennington opens each one with a brief note on the saint's life or role in the Church. There follows an excerpt by or about the saint drawn from the saint's life, writings, or spoken words. The author invites us to begin to walk with the saints. "Get to know them better," he suggests, and "listen to them speak to us here now through these, their recorded words." To further assist us, Pennington offers a Select Bibliography of works on the saints.
This unique compendium can be used year after year for private use, parish use, worship, and study. For all who seek a clearer understanding of the feast days and their relevance in our lives, it is a welcome spiritual aid. "Through the Year with the Saints" will enhance our friendship with the company of the saints.

In this enriching book, Father Pennington reveals how the spiritual insights of "centering" have profoundly changed the lives of contemporary Christians everywhere. "I believe in its simplicity," he writes, "it readily adapts itself to wherever one is on life's] journey. It can open the space for God to lead us all the way into the fullness of the life he offers us...It is truly a gift that belongs to all the People of God." "Centered Living" is an excellent guidebook for those who already practice centering prayer, as well as those just discovering it.

The call of every Christian is a call to discipleship. But Christians through the ages have puzzled over this call. "How do I become a good follower of Christ as He intended?"
M. Basil Pennington, the well-known spiritual writer, addresses this question by using Peter, the first of the Apostles, as the prime example of the maturing follower of Christ. Through Peter, he demonstrates, the Gospel takes on an immediacy and relevance that is unique -- and from which the contemporary Christian can learn a valuable lesson. Peter's spiritual awakening and growth points the way for us to live out our call, with its inevitable challenges, frustrations, and occasional failures. Jesus calls us, as He did the first Apostles, into a special filial relationship with Him. "It is our life's work," Pennington writes, "to learn to think and act in accord with who we are by creation and by the recreation of baptism."
DAILY WE FOLLOW HIM will be of great help to anyone struggling with the demands of faith, built on the premise that we are all "called" to be disciples, called to give Christian witness in our everyday life. Pennington's spiritual reflections enable us to respond to that call in the only way possible.

Bookwi.se's Favorite Books of the Year "Only God deserves absolute surrender because only God can offer absolutely dependable love." In our self-reliant era, most of us recoil from the concept of surrendering to a power or authority outside ourselves. But surrender need not be seen as threatening, especially when the One to whom we surrender is the epitome of goodness and love. God doesn't want his people to respond to him out of fear or obligation. Rather, he invites us to enter into an authentic relationship of intimacy and devotion. And so God calls us to move beyond mere obedience-by surrendering to love. In this profound book, David G. Benner explores the twin themes of love and surrender as the heart of Christian spirituality. Through careful examination of Scripture and reflection on the Christian tradition, Benner shows how God bids us to trust fully in his perfect love. God is love, and he intends for you to live in his love. Surrender to Love will lead you to an unexpected place, where yieldedness to God frees you to become who he created you to be. This expanded edition, one of three titles in The Spiritual Journey trilogy, includes a new epilogue and an experiential guide with questions for individual reflection or group discussion.