Exploring the Power of Contemplative Prayer: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Into the Silent Land

Amazon Customer: If you are a novice to contemplation or curious about the practice, I highly recommend this book. It is by far one of the best books I’ve read on silence and contemplation.

United States on Sep 05, 2023

Client d'Amazon: Fine product, reasonably priced. Excellent and speedy service.

Canada on Apr 16, 2022

Amy VG: There are numerous intelligently thorough reviews for this little gem on here. I don't think I have really anything new to add. I homeschool three children, I have two young dogs, and a chatty husband. So I know I need more silence. From my limited experience, it's in the silence that I nourish my relationship with God. Contemplative prayer is just one way a Christian can find that silence. The wonderful news is there are many ways to grow your relationship with God: vocal prayer, mental prayer, imaginative prayer (Ignatius), reading Scripture (Lectio Divina), as well as, contemplative (meditation in silence) prayer. But with all of those, I notice, it's during the quiet times of prayer when your conversation with God deepens. Martin Laird's little guide goes through the process of contemplative prayer: the prayer word, body position, distractions, etc. But what I found the most helpful was reading the second half of the book, where Laird gives guidance on practicing with afflictions, dealing with the wounds of sin, temptations, definitions on humility, and looking at our failures as focal points of growth.

Canada on Jun 07, 2015

M C.: I am so impressed by the power and wisdom of this book. Among the many literary bridges already taken between Buddhist thinking and a mystical Christian approach to Inner Space, this must surely be high on the list. Yes, it does talk of 'God' and perhaps gives rise for the reader to look at the definition and meaning of such a word in their lives, but it also give a wider vision of the power in silence over and above what we cling to as our definition of who we are in everyday dealings with our impressions of the world. The approach needs courage and perseverance and loving kindness (metta) but the rewards are there to be found and Martin Laird eases the way with good practical suggestions. Don't be misled though, by its small size , this very very far from a how-to book.. it might also be useful to those following a Quaker way.

. I have ordered three copies and regret not buying the hardback.

United Kingdom on Jun 03, 2013

Carl McColman: Here is one of the loveliest, most poetic, and most useful books on the practice of mature Christian prayer that I have ever read.

First of all, what this book is not. It is not a comprehensive guide to Christian spirituality, or even to Christian prayer. The author does not bother discussing the sacramental or liturgical life of the church, or lectio divina, or the quest for personal or collective holiness. Nor is this a manual on meditation in its classical Christian sense -- e.g., meditation as reflection on the spiritual life, such as found in the writings of Ignatius of Loyola. And while there are some superficial similarities (particularly in the emphasis on the "prayer word"), this is not about centering prayer or John Main's approach to Christian meditation. Laird anchors his approach to contemplation in the desert and eastern traditions, quoting authors such as Evagrius, John Climacus, Theophan the Recluse, Hesychios, and Gregory of Sinai. But he doesn't ignore the west: John of the Cross, Augustine, Meister Eckhart and John Ruysbroeck are frequently cited as well. If you're the kind of reader who pays attention to footnotes, you'll probably come away, as I did,...

United States on Mar 30, 2013

M. R. Hickman: I have been more at the type of Christian Worship for many years which is very full in terms of singing, extempore prayer, preaching, etc. and I have been richly blessed through it. However, for sometime I have realised that there is a dimension missing - that of quietness and stillnes and simply allowing God to fill me. Sometime ago I attended a series of talks by a Benedictine Monk and whether his very practical approach to the religious life was a stimulus I am not sure. However, I started reading a range of books the general theme of which was in the realms of contemplation and meditation. Some books were very helpful but many missed the point for me in either being too theoretical or, more often, assuming a particular religious background or knowledge which was very different to my own.

My search was, therefore, for something that would pick me up from where I am - give me something of the background and history of contemplation but, at the same time, be very practical. This books fits that brief for me. When I first started reading it, I had doubts as it seemed to be more theoretical than I had hoped but, having flicked through the coming chapters of the book to see...

United Kingdom on Nov 25, 2010

Dr. H. A. Jones: Into the Silent Land: The practice of contemplation by Martin Laird; Darton, Longman, Todd, London; Oxford University Press, New York, 2006, 168 ff.

The beauty of contemplative silence
By Howard Jones

Martin Laird is Associate Professor in the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University, a private Catholic university in the state of Pennsylvania, founded in 1842 by the Augustinian friars. He has written an inspiring book, primarily for the religiously devout, guiding them in their search for that elusive quality in our present world - silence - and how to use it constructively. The book is largely based on Catholic theology, as Laird is an Augustinian friar, but not exclusively so. There are insights too from the Eastern Orthodox tradition and there are guidelines here for any who feel they need help with the practice of meditation.

There are several books available now (those by Herbert Benson, Wayne Dyer and Andrew Newberg particularly spring to mind) that show us how meditation and development of a sense of spirituality is directly beneficial to the health of the individual, and indirectly beneficial to society as a whole through...

United Kingdom on Oct 18, 2010

M. Baker: This is an amazing book. If you are still working out the issues around who and what you are in relation to God, then read this. It is practical as well. Below is my rather long reaction to reading the book. This book is the first one I have read in the Christian tradition that really lays out how to move deeper than the mind and find the Christ within. It also brings to an end the tired old dilemma between good works and faith. There never was a conflict. It only ever existed in the human mind so let it go and rest as the mountain of awareness within. Knowing the truth creates its own moral imperatives that are painful to avoid.

The dilemma about faith or good works all started with Luther. In my humble view Luther was trying to take on some serious existential issues about who he was and what he was that this book answers. I am glad Luther searched as he did, as his solution brought about the start of the most powerful collective introspective movement in the history of humanity.

Protestants for the last 500 years have been looking inside trying to figure out if they have a saving faith or not. Then, exhausted by what they find inside, they seek faith alone to...

United States on Oct 14, 2009