Thoughts Matter: The Practice of the Spiritual Life
by Mary Margaret Funk
On This Page
Description
Cassian taught that real intimacy with God in prayer demands renouncing one's former way of life, the thoughts belonging to that former way of life, and one's very idea of God. In Thoughts Matter, Mary Margaret Funk focuses on the second of these: renouncing the thoughts belonging to one's former way of life. Her eight chapters focus on different thoughts: food, sex, anger, dejection, acedia (profound weariness of the soul), vainglory (taking credit for good actions), and pride. Funk show more explains well how failure to control these thoughts can undermine a spiritual life, and she instructs readers on how effectively to overcome these thoughts and to focus instead on thoughts in harmony with God's will. The result is an experience of joy, hope, and freedom from enslavement to human appetites. Readers will come away enlightened, strengthened, and inspired to delve more deeply into a life of intimacy with God. show lessTags
Recommendations
Member Reviews
Funk draws on the list of the eight thoughts which provided the basis for the medieval Seven Deadly Sins. By exploring the eight thoughts she advocates that progress in the Spiritual life consists of, at least in part, learning to discipline and purge your thought life of competing temptations and desires, so that you can devote yourself more fully to God.
Ratings
Members
- Recently Added By
Author Information
12 Works 595 Members
Mary Margaret Funk, OSB, is director of the School of Lectio Divina at Benedict Inn, Beech Grove Indiana. From 1994 through 2004, she served as executive director of Monastic Interreligious Dialogue, which fosters dialogue among monastics of the world's religions. In addition to her books Thoughts Matter and Tools Matter, chapters by her have show more appeared The Gethsemani Encounter, Benedict's Dharma, Purity of Heart, and Transforming Suffering. show less
Classifications
- Genres
- Religion & Spirituality, Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 248.482 — Religion Christian practice & observance Christian experience, practice, life Christian Living By Denomination Catholic
- LCC
- BV4626 .F86 — Philosophy, Psychology and Religion Practical Theology Practical Theology Practical religion. The Christian life Moral theology Sins and vices
- BISAC
Statistics
- Members
- 174
- Popularity
- 188,957
- Reviews
- 1
- Rating
- (3.88)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 4
- ASINs
- 2
