Meister Eckhart (1260-1328) was a priest, a mystic, and nearly a heretic (he died before the Church court's verdict). In the 20th century, the Roman Catholic Church rehabilitated him and the late Pope John Paul II spoke of his work with fondness.However, what makes him of particular interest is the fact that he has influenced a wide range of spiritual teachers and mystics both inside and outside the Christian tradition. Erich Fromm, Eckhart Tolle, Richard Rohr, D. T. Suzuki, and Ru...

An introduction to the spiritual legacy of Thomas MertonThomas Merton was a Trappist monk and one of the most influential spiritual figures of the 20th century. His writing on contemplation, monastic life, mysticism, poetry, and social issues have influenced generations and his legacy of interfaith understanding and social justice endures to this day. Thomas Merton: An Introduction to His Life, Teachings, and Practices offers an exploration of Merton as a m...

Turn from fear and find peace.Saint Francis understood soldiers and fools, mothers and fathers, businesspeople and rulers, poets and court entertainers, pastors and criminals. He was, at one time or another, in both subtle and obvious ways, all of these things.Each spiritual lesson from the life of Saint Francis of Assisi begins with an invitation to embrace the wolf—to consider another viewpoint, to befriend our fears, and to discover something new. The pa...

An elegant rendering of the great mystic’s thoughts on the mysteries of the authentic lifeThis is a little book about soul freedom. It is a book about discovering the secret to all the things we most desire: contentment, meaning, peace of mind, and true freedom. This skillfully edited translation of selections from the writings of Meister Eckhart (c. 1260–1328) provides a road map to the spiritual life for contemporary seekers. Eckhart takes us on a journey of discovery, a journey ...

Popular historian and award-winning author Jon M. Sweeney relates the untold story of St. Francis’s friendship with Elias of Cortona, the man who helped him build the Franciscan movement. Sweeney uses the complexities of their relationship in a gripping narrative of how their efforts changed the world and how Elias’s enthusiasm betrayed the ideals of his friend.Few biographies of St. Francis have examined his complicated relationship with close friend Elias of Cortona. In The E...

Transform Your Everyday Life into a Sacred SpaceIn Domestic Monastery, bestselling author and spiritual guide Fr. Ronald Rolheiser offers a profound yet practical invitation: discover the sacredness of daily life and find peace, purpose, and grace amidst the chaos of modern living.Through ten short, insightful chapters, Fr. Rolheiser explores how the principles of monastic life can transform our homes, relationships, and routines into spaces of ref...

**This program is read by an AI-based synthesized voice.An essential work of Christian mysticism**Interior Castle is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library, a series of books that seeks to bring spiritual wisdom—both modern and ancient—to today’s readers. This new edition of the pivotal spiritual classic is a must-lilsten for seekers and believers alike.St. Teresa of Avila was one of the greatest Christian mystics, and dedicated her life to unders...

In a time when the Church suffered violent division and strife, one man peacefully modeled compassion and dialogue.Peter Faber was one of the original companions who, with Ignatius of Loyola, founded the Society of Jesus in 1534. From his simple upbringing in a mountain village to his years at university, Faber exhibited a mind for learning and a heart for prayer. After doing Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises—an intense retreat for deepening one’s com...

"I think Mark Burrows and Jon Sweeney achieve something quite rare and wonderful here. They make Eckhart clear, concise, and very compelling!" —Richard Rohr, OFM, bestselling author of Falling UpwardAn elegant rendering of the great mystic's thoughts on the mysteries of authentic lifeThis is a little book about soul freedom. It is a book about discovering the secret to all the things we most desire: contentment, meaning, peace of m...

“It has given me a friend in Saint Francis for a lifetime. A divine encounter.” —Karen Kiefer, Director, The Church in the 21st Century Center, Boston CollegeReplicable experiences of God according to Francis of Assisi, offered on the 800th anniversary of his death.Never have we needed more to experience God—to feel God. Francis of Assisi was spiritual before anyone used that word, and he was religious in the best ways. We love him...

As a spiritual pilgrim for more than half a century, Jon Sweeney has practiced with teachers of many religious traditions. He's gone looking for wisdom, beauty, and truth wherever it can be found. But recently he's found himself learning closer to home—from the teacher-cats he lives with.What he discovered is that our greatest spiritual teachers are at our feet. Literally. They are the cats we love and treasure. Nearly 60 million cats live in US households today. These feline teach...

Reading Francis's writings is like being "on the road" with him 800 years ago.Biographies will only take you so far. It's impossible to truly understand Francis of Assisi without reading his own words. A scholar and lover of Francis, Sweeney has added six writings to his bestselling compilation, additional texts that we're most certain came from Francis himself. Now, short writings such as "The Form of Life He Wished for Clare," "The Sermon to the Birds," and "The Source of...