Thoughts Matter: The Practice of the Spiritual Life

This is an excelent book for those well along the path of Christian spirituality. It is not intended for the beginner but for those who are seeking a deeper relationship with God and a more intense practice of Christian spirituality. It has many eye-opening passages. I found it very helpful during a time of spiritual renewal.

Based on the classic ascetic practises of the patristic era, and on their application in the Rule of Benedict, this book sets forth clear, solid, far-reaching insights which would enrich the life of anyone seeking to grow in the spiritual life.Sister Mary Margaret expresses the principles simply yet with great depth, and, in a style enormously refreshing for the "self-esteem" era (her comments on that concept are very telling), does so with great honesty. She does not qualify the wisdom of two millennia in an attempt to be unwisely "relevant" to the reader. She has no qualms about showing that the Christian ascetic vocation is an endless period of growth, though her expressing how practising discipline of thoughts leads to results unaware will undoubtedly be strengthening during times of struggle.The only aspect which those new to the topic must keep in mind is that this volume, short though it is, is not meant to be skimmed nor read hurriedly. It is the stuff of the lectio divina to which the early chapters refer - intended for quiet, reflective, prayerful reading. Much of the best material (for example, the sections regarding sex and vainglory) can be missed if one is reading only "key words," without attention to the overall picture which places it into focus.I have had a deep interest in ascetic theology for thirty years, and am well acquainted with many great writings in that area. I can honestly say that this book is one of the best of contemporary treatments of the subject.

Thoughts Matter challenges the serious reader to examine the nature of the thoughts that are constantly playing through the mind - like a non-stop tape recording! While we can't always control the thoughts that pop up in our heads, we can certainly decide which ones we want to spend time with and which ones can only do harm to ourselves and others. I would love to read what Sr. Mary has to say about renouncing our thoughts about God.

This book brings to the modern vocabulary ideas and experiences originally posited by the Desert Fathers out of their experience. It has benefitted me greatly. The author asks in her own comments if people would like a book on the third renunciation - renouncing our thoughts of God. My response is YES!! YES!! I am personally at the edge of this country and would much appreciate some guidance, though I'm not sure I can wait till a book gets written and published!

This is to let you know that I read your book, "Thoughts Matter" very carefully and meditatively, one chapter at a time, and that I enjoyed it very much. You found a nice was of presenting in a simple way a deep teaching that is not so easily accessible in the original, because it is over couched in a disconcerting language. You also present a traditional monastic doctrine in a manner that is accessible to any serious spiritual seeker,wheteher monastic or not. I also appreciated upir leem semse paradox: writing a whole book to show that "thoughts matter" and ending it by saying that "If we let God be God in our innermost life, then thoughts don't matter after all". Thanks for alowing me to drink from that wisdom: John Cassian's and yours. Armand Veilleux, Abbot of Scourmont BELGIUM