Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation Hardcover – July 1, 2006 by Martin Laird

Description

Author: Laird Martin

Brand: Oxford University Press

Edition: 1

Features:

• Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation

Package Dimensions: 22x185x260

Number Of Pages: 176

Release Date: 01-07-2006

Details: Product Description
Sitting in stillness, the practice of meditation, and the cultivation of awareness are commonly thought to be the preserves of Hindus and Buddhists. Martin Laird shows that the Christian tradition of contemplation has its own refined teachings on using a prayer word to focus the mind, working
with the breath to cultivate stillness, and the practice of inner vigilance or awareness. But this book is not a mere historical survey of these teachings. In
Into the Silent Land, we see the ancient wisdom of both the Christian East and West brought sharply to bear on the modern-day longing for
radical openness to God in the depths of the heart.

Laird’s book is not like the many presentations for beginners. While useful for those just starting out, this book serves especially as a guide for those who desire to journey yet deeper into the silence of God. The heart of the book focuses on negotiating key moments of struggle on the
contemplative path, when the whirlwind of distractions or the brick wall of boredom makes it difficult to continue. Laird shows that these inner struggles, even wounds, that any person of prayer must face, are like riddles, trying to draw out of us our own inner silence. Ultimately Laird shows how
the wounds we loathe become vehicles of the healing silence we seek, beyond technique and achievement.
Throughout the language is fresh, direct, and focused on real-life examples of people whose lives are incomparably enriched by the practice of contemplation.

Review
“This is a beautifully written book. The language is profound, poetic, and free of worn cliches. It has obviously grown out of a life of study, erudition, and personal prayer.” —
Worship

”
Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird is a wonderful introduction to the subject of contemplation. It has a vitality and relevance that are gripping. Contemplative books are often dry, but I found this a page-turner.” —
Church Times

“In a world hungering for practical spiritual direction on how to manage distractions, moods, bodily posture, breathing, suffering, illness, addiction, and dying, Laird’s book stands out as a treasure to share with anyone who is seeking greater wisdom and peace. He provides us with an eminently
accessible doorway into the land of God’s loving silence.” —
Horizons

“Larid’s book defines how to sink back in God’s ground physically with breathing, mentally with “prayer words,” and spiritually with interior surrender. Through anecdote, Scripture, and classic wisdom, Laird illuminates a Christian path into the silent land. An able guide, he makes the trip more
than worth the journey.” —
Christianity Today

“This book is different. There are plenty of books on contemplation that feel rather tired–either wordy and labored or unhelpfully smooth and idealistic. But this is sharp, deep, with no clichés, no psychobabble and no short cuts. Its honesty is bracing, its vision utterly clear; it is a rare
treasure.”–Rowan Williams, The Archbishop of Canterbury

“Often they say ‘you learn how to swim by swimming’ but a good coach or swimming manual is essential. Equally, we could say ‘you learn how to be contemplative by contemplating’ and a good guide or mentor is necessary.
Into the Silent Land is just that. I tried it and it works. Try it.”–Archbishop
Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

“This is a beautifully written book. The language is profound, poetic, and free of worn clichés. It has obviously grown out of a life of study, erudition and personal prayer.”–
Worship

”
Into the Silent Land is a beautiful and deeply consoling book, a reminder that prayer is both real and fundamentally simple. Not since Thomas Merton’s
Contemplative Prayer have I encountered a guide to contemplation this wise and compelling.”–Douglas Burton-Christie, author of
The Word in the

Desert: Scripture and the Quest for Holiness in Early Christian Monasticism

“With wisdom born of a life of prayer and study, Martin Laird i