The Other Side of Silence: A Guide to Christian Meditation

This book provides both a rationale and a method of Christian meditation. It provides one simple way to encounter the Divine Lover. "This approach is particularly helpful for those who have doubts about the possibility or the value of meditation for whatever reason. . . . It is a practical manual for those who would like to try out this method of finding the encounter, learning what it is like and practicing it." from the book cover

In his intrduction,the author describes the need for this book: 'More and more people...have turned to Eastern ways of meditating in the hope of finding some discipline that the ordinary individual can follow. Much has been written about the Eastern disciplines. But neither the Western novices in Zen or Yoga or Transcendental Meditation or the more experienced writers about them seem to realize that there is a powerful and unique Christian method of meditation available to any ordinary person who wishes to use it. This Christian way of meditating can bring many people a whole new vision of reality and new effectiveness in their living.'

To meet this need, the author, a nationally recognized theologian, psychologist, educator, priest and show more man of prayer has created a book which provides both a rationale and method of Christian meditation. The book provides one simple way to encouner the Divine Lover. 'This approach is particularly helpful for those who have doubts about the possibility, or the value, of meditation for whatever reason. It requires no great gifts...This is a practical manual for those who would like to try out this method of finding the encounter, learning what it is like and practicing it.'

Contents

Introduction
Part One A basic perspective
1 Encountering God
2 Intimacy, art and meditation
Part Two the basic climate for meditation
3 The climate of meditation
4 The spritual world as the soul's soil
5 Cracking the husk: Man's need for God
6 To whom do we pray?
7 The creative power of love
8 A word of warning and encouragement
Part Three Preparations for the inward journey
9 Time
10 Silence: Discovering the way inward
11 Aids in the practice of silence
Part Four The use of images in meditation
12 Silence, mysticism and religious experience
13 Exploring the nature of the spiritual world
14 Developing imagination: Stepping into the inner world
15 A check list for the venture inward
16 Putting imagination to work
Part Five Adventures on the other side of silence
17 Windows inward
Notes show less