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.
#236854 in Books 2008-11-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 6.20 x 1.10 x 9.30l; 1.30 #File Name: 0195183274320 pages
Review
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. I wish I had read this book prior to taking jukai vows in Soto ZenBy noodlebowlIf you reach a point where you consider becoming member of a dharma center; and especially if you recognize you are interestedin taking vows; I strongly recommend this book; even if it is hard going at first.Taking vows is a deep commitment; if not for this life time; perhaps for many lifetimes. You deserve to know if what you understand asBuddhadharma is actually not a "pure" product but actually a result of a great deal of cultural sifting; emphasizing of some featuresof Asian Buddhisms while ignoring; distorting or devaluing other features; and that even our ability to read about Buddhism isan option that has only become possible very recently; and exposes us to a narrow and atypical segment of "Buddhism".I took jukai vows in Soto Zen Buddhism after 8 years of what I thought had been thorough study and a many sesshin (meditation) rereats.The night before jukai ceremony; I suddenly felt terror stricken; wondering whether to call it off. In the years that followed; I felt a gutfeeling of unsettled torment.I wish this book had been available to me and that I had read it beforehand. What I realize today is that I really lacked sufficient awarenessof the philosophical and religious background that I grew up in; I am now doing some remedial education for myself while re-assessingmy commitment to the Westernized interpretation of buddhism I took vows in.One part of the vow is; "Delusions are boundless;I vow to end them" -- part of living this vow is to continue educating oneselfabout the context in which the various buddhadharmas have arrived in the west and are affected by the west.Check this book and also the various reviews of it in the different websites; it is time well spent.6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. Heavy going but valuable workBy Peter StuckingsEnjoyable; but heavy going. In contrast to many of the books out there elucidating Buddhist practice and philosophy; this book delves into how Buddhist ideas have entered Western culture. If you like your readings to contain sentences peppered with terms like 'detraditionalization' and 'hybridity'; then this is the book for you. I particularly enjoyed the part early on where David describes 5 different archetypes of people who are into Buddhism; but all of them in completely different ways; and some of them almost irreconcilably so; illuminating the current confusion and identity-seeking that goes on for modern people who consider themselves Buddhist; or who are interested to learn from the ideas Buddhism espouses without living under a label.Finally; this book is not for the casual seeker of knowledge about Buddhism; but instead for someone well-versed in the subject and the scene; who is looking for some context around the debates and difficulties apparent around the field of modern Buddhism.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A history intertwined with scientific rationalism; romanticism; and nihilism among other things...By AthameI read this book for a class and for me; it was a thoroughly enjoyable read. He is not making judgments so much as presenting the ways that Buddhism has been shaped by it's geographical contexts since its conception. Towards the beginning he does give quite a few profiles of what Buddhism looks like from one place to the next and doesn't frame any one as more "pure" or more "true" to what Buddhism is. Instead; he goes on to really illuminate the processes in which Buddhism has been shaped by our modern contexts whether it be a response to a fear of nihilism; the authority of scientific rationalism on religion in the West; Protestant movements and other conditions. In any case; I would definitely recommend this as a read for anyone who is already familiar with Buddhism or interested in the conversation of Buddhism in the modern world.
