Why Not Be a Mystic?

One of the strengths of this book is that it is replete with thoughtful and inspirational quotes on the contemplative life from such diverse luminaries as Karl Rahner, Ramakrishna, Evagrius Ponticus, John of the Cross, Thomas Merton, John Main, Soren Kierkegaard, George A. Maloney, Teresa of Avila, Meister Eckhart, and several others. The chapters are short and easily digested in a single sitting. The prevailing thesis of this book is that contemplation is not an esoteric practice reserved for the few, but an invitation to an ever deepening relationship with God as a natural outgrowth of grace and of our relentless pursuit of the Divine. The author adamantly contends that this invitation, once felt, should not be ignored. Frank Tuoti does an admirable job of outlining the hardships encountered along the contemplative path and provides the reader with the requisite foreknowledge to navigate this often treacherous terrain. It is reassuring to read that we are not alone in our false starts, foibles, doubts, and distractions. ("If you never had any distractions, Merton writes, then you don't know how to pray." p.76) This is not a book about one particular method or form of contemplative prayer, but is rather an intelligent and often inspiring introduction to the contemplative life. This is a very approachable book, but no less substantive for its accessibility. Naturally, for a book titled, "Why Not Be A Mystic?", there is a heavy emphasis on silence. (The word "mystic" comes from the Greek verb "muo" which means "I am silent."). As the quote from the Eastern Father St. Isaac the Syrian on page 78 urges: "More than all things love silence, for it will bring forth a fruit no tongue can describe."

This book is a great solution for all of those who have looked for god and failed to find it because they were looking in the wrong places. It is literally like a breath of fresh air when compared to most varieties of contemporary religious teaching and was definitely an eye-opener. Only for the open-minded. Contains a wealth of excellent references and bibliography.

"Taste and see how good the Lord is!" This book is a delicious presentation by Frank Tuoti of piping hot Biblical truth about the banquet of unrelenting Love to which God calls all of God's creation, and out of which God operates. The recipe is simple but not easy. Tuoti shows how the whole Bible insists that the Mystical life should be the normative Christian experience, as normal as eating, and as necessary as drinking (living) water for health and well-being. Indeed, as Thomas Merton, quoted here by Tuoti, points out, it is "the only cure for the angst" of modern humankind. Tuoti, among a number of contemporary Christian spiritual writers, vividly and emphatically illustrates in many short and readable chapters how the whole of Judeo-Christian scripture reveals taht God yearns for us in wordless self communication that has its most glorious model in the Life of the Holy Trinity. Many Christians will be surprised to learn that for the first 1600 years of the Christian era, contemplative prayer was well understood to be the path for all to take in the way to a closer walk with God and transformation into Christlikeness. And readers will be delighted to learn that all it really takes is grace-filled self surrender to come into this Banquet of God's Love. God will do the rest!

Frank X. Tuoti has authored a revealing and excitingbook dealing with the individual and personal experience ofbeing and understanding one's self. A Catholic treatise on "contemplation," this book allows the reader to share the unique experiences of spiritual enlightenment, individual growth, and meditative exploration. What becomes most unique and refreshing here is the author's refusal to limit himself to only Catholic teachings, and further includes reviews and mentions of both other Wester and Eastern philosophies. An excellent choice for anyone!