Daniel Berrigan (1921–2016)

I have come to really enjoy Thích Nhất Hạnh's writings. Unfortunately, the coauthor is Daniel Berrigan, who has a loathsome background. The book is essentially a transcript of a recording of the two discussing their perspectives on how politics and the state have usurped religion for their agenda. The talk was held after the Vietnam war, but still pose some thoughts in light of radical ISIS today. Berrigan, in my opinion is so full of himself, that he pontificates throughout the book show more (discussion) to where he states clearly that any 'state' that identifies itself with a specific religion does so only to use that religion to justify its existence as a state, and rationalize its use of war and death. He makes several broad-brushed comments so off-putting that I couldn't decide if I wanted to invest further in the book. "All prison chaplains", "all of the Jews in Israel"... Odd coming from a Jesuit, though excommunicated, to be so myopic, narrow minded, prejudiced, and resentful, quite literally to the very end of the book.

I read the book anyways, even with my 10 years in the Marine Corps, and years as a minister, for a hunger of what the title and slipcover suggested. Common ground of Buddhism and Christianity. Instead I sadly found a book mostly of political negativity, stereotyping, resentment and bitterness.

Nhat Hanh's content made the read worth while none the less, particularly in the last two chapters.

If you can muddle past Berrigan, who shockingly misses Thich's points to where Thich has to repeat them and re-direct Berrigan, there are some very challenging, unsettling things I have to sort through in my beliefs about war, conflict, and religion.. and that is why I read the book, and that is why I return to Nhat Hanh's writings.

If you bought the book to read more wisdom from Nhat Hanh, pass on this one. Berrian seems so caught up in himself that he seems to miss the point or moves on to what he thinks is more important many times throughout the book. It is also shocking when he compares his own life as as difficult at times in the context of exile, as what Nhat Hanh and generations of Buddhists have faced, and only to use the Garden of Eden as a theological comparrison, as if it would be too difficult for him to use the story of the Jews and the 40 years in the dessert.

Sadly, the entire book can be summed up in the context of Berrigan, as what he is against, and as usual for Thick Nhat Hanh as what he is for.

"To be constantly active is the only thing that is considered meaningful by some people. Actions need energy, you get energy where? From the dissatisfaction, from hatred. The more you hate, the more you become strong, much stronger than you were.

But when you are angry, you are not lucid enough for your action to make sense. Even in violent revolutionary doctrine, they talk of the calmness needed for making decisions. So, if you have to be calm in order to make a decision, you must guard against anger." show less

Powerful, forgotten book. Well known peace activist, recently released from prison, Jesuit priest, self-exiled in Paris, meets with unknown Vietnames monk, exiled by his government for his peace activities, making him suspect. At the time, Daniel Berrigan is quite well known, and Thich Nhat Hanh little known.

They meet evenings in a Paris suburb, Spring 1974, and talk. Someone has the idea to bring a tape recorder, and their late-night thoughts are published in 1975, and quickly forgotten. show more Someone decides to bring this book back into life in October 2000 (with a 2001 publication date).

A powerful, moving, deep sharing between these two, who have more in common than either suspected.

What a teaching on war, suffering, life, death, community, religion.

Please let me know your take on this book! show less

A good portion of this book consists of an introduction by Robert Coles that conveys the context in which the transcribed conversations between himself and Daniel Berrigan, SJ, happened. Since they happened in 1970, while Fr. Berrigan was living underground, that context will be absolutely necessary so many years later. The discussion between the activist priest and the activist psychiatrist is always meaningful and frequently profound. I was particularly taken by the section on "Twice Born show more Men(sic)" and by the back and forth about pride and humility. I was inspired by this book and others will be similarly moved. show less

The writing style is too much of a mouthful at once in most places.I feel like he is tripping over his words, which gives it a jerky feeling rather then a smooth flowing feeling. (I don't like when poets feel the need to use fancy words and phrases and allusions. The simplest words convey the most meaning.)I felt his shorter poems were his best. My favorites were: "Almost Everybody is Dying Here:Only a Few Actually Make It," "You Could Make a Song of It/A Dirge of it/A Heartbreaker of it," show more and "Flowers in Spite of it All" (hauntingly beautiful). show less