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Average customer rating:

An incredible book full of spirituality
This book is worth more than 5 stars (or may be all the stars in the universe)!!
The Way of A Pilgrim
The Pilgrim's journey, our journey to Christ by mystical prayer
Prayer changes everything

The Way of a Pilgrim

Manufacturer: Image
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Philokalia, Volume 1: The Complete Text; Compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain & St. Markarios of Corinth (Philokalia Vol. I)
He Leadeth Me
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ASIN: 0385468148
Release Date: 1985-06-17

Book Description

This classic work of Russian spirituality has charmed countless readers with its tale of a nineteenth-century peasant seeking the truth with simple humility, finding joy and plenty everywhere in life.

Customer Reviews:

An incredible book full of spirituality.......2007-05-13

This book was recommended to me by a friend and after reading the sample pages here I felt that I had to have it. The book greatly gave strength to my faith in Christ and I know it has helped many others as well. In fact, this book, as previously mentioned, does deserve more than 5 stars. Reading it through it was like placing myself in the pilgrim's steps and traveling with him throughout the East.

This book is worth more than 5 stars (or may be all the stars in the universe)!!.......2007-03-03

A very simple and easy to read book that gives a powerful message!! A must read for anyone who loves spiritual books..

The Way of A Pilgrim.......2007-02-27

A wonderful booklet on the spiritual life. Highly recommended for a thorough reading. When visiting a Trappist monastery, this was the book which a senior monastic suggested as an introduction to the prayer life.

The Pilgrim's journey, our journey to Christ by mystical prayer.......2006-12-19

Way of a Pilgrim by Walter J. Ciszek, translated by Helen Bacovcin

In J. D. Salinger's short story, "Franny & Zooey" the reader learns of a college co-ed fascinated with the book, "Way of a Pilgrim" by an anonymous Russian author of the 1800's. Here is the very book for us pilgrims.

Page 191 has a glossary of terms.
Page 190 is a brief 10 point directive on how to pray.

You could call this, "Prayer-for-the-rest-of-us"

There are variations on what is called, "The Jesus Prayer". Any method can be effective. They all originate in the practices of the Christians of the first 5 centuries after the appearance of Jesus to meditate or intone brief words, phrases, or prayers. The suggestion is that the "Jesus Prayer" is one of these ancient prayers, derived from the commandment to "pray without ceasing".

The Jesus Prayer is recited thusly:

"Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me, a sinner."

Or alternatively,
"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

The book clarifies the difference between mental analysis of religious issues, and the distinct essence of prayer which is an active experience rather than an intellectual examination. The purpose of all is to move us into prayer of the Lips, to Prayer of the Mind, and finally, to unite all in Prayer of the Heart.

One of the unique encounters early in the book, concerns that between the soldier who has difficulty staying sober merely by studying the Gospels, and the religious man who teaches him how to pray.

This book is a window into the early centuries of Christian spiritual practice. It bypasses a thousand years of theological tradition and the waves of cultural churnings in the intervening centuries to bring us almost close enough to touch the Master's garment. The reader will be introduced into some literature that is mostly unknown, such as the PHILOKALIA.

[Also, see Ignatius Brianchaninov, HESYCHAST ]

There are other prayers that can be effective to transform us. Another common one is that which is attributed to St. Francis of Assissi, the "Peace Prayer" as Catholics refer to it. Actually, scholars have found that this prayer was in use prior to St. Francis. Thus, it has another source; but St. Francis may have taken advantage of that prayer also. It is my feeling, that this prayer can be awkward however, both in learning and recitation. Something of it's original language and rythm may be missing. I have altered it slightly so that it has a specific rythm, and humbly offer it here if someone should wish to employ it. I have found it pleasant to alternate it, at various times, with the "Jesus Prayer".

The Peace Prayer
Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace;
That where there is Hatred, let me sew Love,
That where there is Injury, let me sew Pardon,
That where there is Doubt, let me sew Faith,
That where there is Despair, let me sew Hope,
That where there is Darkness, let me sew Light,
That where there is Sadness, let me sew Joy.

Oh Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be Consoled, as to Console.
That I may not so much seek to be Understood, as to Understand.
That I may not so much seek to be Loved, as to Love.
For it is by Pardoning, that we are Pardoned.
It is by Giving that we Receive.
And it is by Dying that we are born into Life Eternal.
(version of the 'Peace Prayer' by Bruce R. Bain)

Prayer changes everything.......2006-11-02

Mr. C.S. Lewis once observed, "Prayer does not change God, it changes me." This is much the theme of this simple yet profound little book. It is the story of a young man on a quest for a greater intimacy with God and how he discovers it in the simple words of a simple prayer of confession. This book can help Christians of all persuasions look to the right source for intimacy with God. It's not just for the Orthodox to learn this humble but powerful lesson of a life changed by way of prayer.

A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: Camino Frances - The French Way of St. James (Camino Guides)

Average customer rating:

Great and compact
Walking the Camino
Covers all you need to know about walking the Camino Frances
Pat Little
A Must Buy

A Pilgrim's Guide to the Camino de Santiago: Camino Frances - The French Way of St. James (Camino Guides)
John Brierley
Manufacturer: Findhorn Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook
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ASIN: 1844090698

Book Description

Representing the most popular Christian pilgrimage anywhere in the world, this guide combines maps, photographies, and hospitality information to help travelers in their journey.

Customer Reviews:

Great and compact.......2007-03-21

I haven't even gotten to Spain yet and I know this is going to be exactly what I need. The maps are very informative without being overwhelming. The info is just what you need to know - nothing more. It seems very thought through and is light weight which is very important when you count every ounce.

Walking the Camino.......2007-01-31

This is a practical, essential, comprehensive guide to the Camino de Santiago, with an added spiritual focus - after all, this is a Pilgrimage for most who walk it. I used it 2 years ago and after a week I dumped the competitor that I had also taken. This book covers everything you need to know in pleasant prose without hype and with a mass of data. I bought the new edition for my next journey on this magical route; it looks just as good if not better, but remember that the maps are not to scale!

Covers all you need to know about walking the Camino Frances.......2007-01-27

I bought this book because it is mentioned in the popular UK CSJ Pilgrim Guide to Spain and was also mentioned to me by another intending pilgrim. There may be better guides, but once I found this one I stopped looking. It meets my planning needs exactly.

Another caveat is that while I am an experienced trekker in Nepal and South America, I have never done an 800 km trip like the Camino Frances. So my comments will almost certainly need revision when I have completed my pilgrimage.

The book weighs 300gm and is 22cm tall x 12cm wide x 1.5cm thick. The weight is significant in the context of limiting one's load to 10 kg or less. The physical dimensions make it too big to fit easily into a pocket.

One could lighten the book by ripping out un-needed Stages and most of the planning stuff. Actually, it would have been a good idea if the publishers had allowed for this by having a binding to facilitate non-destructive page removal. Some folk, for example, may not plan to do the whole walk in one go and may need, say, only 8 Stages out of the 33 described in the guide. Why take text that you don't need if weight is at a premium?

The front pages of the book show a credit-card size map of each daily Stage (roughly 24km) to give an overview of the whole route from St Jean de Pied to Santiago. This is a nice touch for preliminary planning, but is not really necessary on the road.

Daily Walking Stages (33)

The sections on each Stage have a similar, but more detailed, full-page map. They are in "strip map" format, with the route facing the way you are walking from the start at the bottom to the destination at the top. So North does not face the top of the map in the conventional cartographic manner. The maps show routes, towns, land-marks, some accommodation, important contours, drinking fonts and walking distances. Another interesting touch is a "sun compass" on each map that shows where the sun is, to help navigation. The amount of detail is just right for use in the field, any more would be confusing.

Each Stage also has a diagram showing altitudes and the ups and downs of the stage, which is very useful when contemplating the day's walk.

Total distances are broken down into "path", "quiet road" and "main road". Adjusted distances are also given to take into account climb. As an aside, when trekking in mountainous terrain, especially at high altitude (eg Nepal), distances are totally meaningless for a trekker. Time is the only meaningful measure of travel.

A typical Stage section in the book has about 8 pages, including the full-page map. Most of the information is detailed route directions, although there is also some introductory text on "The Practical Path", "The Mystical Path" and "Personal Reflections". There are usually several credit-card size photos of accommodation and landmarks/sights. The information is very condensed, but quite readable.

Accommodation and phone numbers are included, but not in the detail of the annual UK CSJ Pilgrim Guide. There is no information on specific costs. That's where the CSJ guide shines. But is it really necessary to be so up to date?

The only very slight reservation I have about the emphasis on Stages in designing the book (any guide book, not just this one) is that it encourages/forces you to do the Stages as set out. This imposes a discipline on the journey that runs counter to the notion that a pilgrimage should be a journey of discovery, of meeting both pleasures and travails, along an unknown path to the ultimate goal of the pilgrimage. Although one can also argue the converse in that lovers of ritual and pilgrims wishing to emulate the trials of early Christian martyrs might welcome the forced discipline of a set daily route.

Planning

There is a useful bar chart showing pilgrim numbers by month. July/August look insane to me and the experience of jostling among the summer crowds must be quite unpleasant. This is borne out by comments I have read on the net. In years when July 25 falls on Sunday (not 2007), pilgrim numbers spike up into the stratosphere.

There is good information on clothing and equipment, plus sample packing checklists.

There is a section on types of accommodation and illustrative costs which is quite useful for budgeting.

There is a 4-page section on the Spanish language and useful phrases. Personally, I think some time spent on learning the local language is desirable for any trip.

There is a brief history of the Camino which is interesting, but certainly not needed on the walk.

Conclusion

Overall, this guide is excellent and very practical. It covers all the questions that have occurred to me with one exception: Nothing is said about arrangements available for sending unwanted gear ahead to, say, Santiago. In my case I will be taking other stuff to Europe for post-camino travel that I don't intend to lug around for 800km.

Apart from the practical things you need to know, there is quite a bit on spiritual (not necessarily religious) preparation to focus you on the question "why am I doing this?" I think this is important, although I personally don't think it is necessary to tie it into any formal religious dogma.

Pat Little.......2007-01-12

This Book is the best book and guide we have found for hiking the Camino de Santiago. We hiked the Camino last year and had a guide book that we did not like. It had allot of information that we did not need or was outdated.Their were other Pilgrims that had John Brierley's Guide to hiking the Camino and they would share it with us so we could see what was ahead on the Camino. We are hiking the Camino again this spring and have purchased John Brierley's book to guide us on our way. Maybe we too can help other Pilgrims that bought "the wrong book"

Pat Little NM USA
Buen Camino

A Must Buy.......2007-01-01

I walked the Camino de Santiago in the spring of 2005 and this book was the envy of all pilgrims I met along the way. Everyone who walks the camino had some type of guide that they carried along with them, but this one was the most comprehensive. It prepares the walker with all they need to know prior to beginning their pilgrimage as well as giving an overview (town expectations, alberque locations, and altitudes climbed). While I found that I differed occasionally on the review of the alberques along the way, I never felt lost or unprepared for the journey that was to lie ahead. Walk the camino -- you will love the difficult and challenging experience that will forever change the way you look at everything -- and make sure that this is the only book you take along with you.

Pilgrim Heart: The Way of Jesus in Everyday Life

Average customer rating:

Valuable resource for all
Compelling read
Solid Book
great book
Keep reading it gets better

Pilgrim Heart: The Way of Jesus in Everyday Life
Darryl Tippens
Manufacturer: Leafwood Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0976779072

Book Description

Originally, the way of Jesus was considered a distinctive way of life rather than a sophisticated theological system. Pilgrim Heart re-imagines discipleship as - first and foremost - a particular way of life guided by a set of simple, but powerful, daily practices known to the earliest disciples and the saints through the ages. These include: Friendship; Sabbath Rest; Hospitality; Confession; Foregiveness; Listening; Discernment; Singing; Creating; Telling Stories.

How would this approach to the religion of Jesus change the way we think and live? Pilgrim Heart is an invitation to consider afresh the way of Jesus in light of practices that have proven to transform lives for two thousand years.

Customer Reviews:

Valuable resource for all.......2007-03-22

Reviewed by Linda Benninghoff for Reader Views (2/07)

As the author says in the last chapter of "Pilgrim Heart," the conversion to faith is just the beginning of the religious journey, and seeking God is a life-long process. This book will make an excellent companion to the seeker as his or her faith grows.

The book discusses friendship, suffering, doubt, the state of being a sinner, cultural memories, beauty, and other topics critical to the religious life. Tippens quotes many well-known religious thinkers, from Augustine to Pascal, from Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Parker Palmer. He also quotes the Bible. When writing on friendship, he refers several times to John's exhortation that a friend must be ready to give up his or her life for a friend. He also discusses spiritual friendship. The book, as a whole, works to build up thoughts and insights that are enriching and rewarding.

One of the most startling parts of the book for me was Tippens' discussion of the "downward mobility" of Christianity. Christianity requires that we give up interest in worldly values, such as money, power and success. Because of it, we are humbled and become downwardly mobile. Suffering also can teach us the deeper meanings of life. Suffering can bring us to religious faith. And it is religious faith that teaches us how to cope with life's deeper issues and with death.

"Pilgrim Heart" was easy to understand and it was hard to put down. Tippens is learned, yet he remains down-to-earth. The book will be of value both to those beginning their spiritual journey and those well along the way. It accomplishes its aim of creating a spiritual outlook like that of the original disciples that can revitalize contemporary faith communities.

Compelling read.......2007-03-09

Christian Americans are hungry for a new spirituality, not the same old religion of their parents. The Pilgrim Heart offers a "new" take on Christianity by focusing on the oldest traditions of the religion, the ways that Jesus actually lived His word in the world. Darryl Tippens calls Christians to practice simple daily applications of Jesus' word. By living every day as Jesus did, Tippens hope to bring a renewed community spirit to contemporary Christianity.

One of the most compelling sections discusses forgiveness. Tippens reminds us of Jesus' prayer spoken from the cross, forgiving his ultimate persecutors and calls Christians to exhibit this same level of forgiveness. This is especially difficult in this age of dissolving families, revenge, retaliation and the war on terrorism. The author also expresses the importance of forgiving one's self as this is what Jesus expects of Christians as well, to try again, to make amends, to keep moving forward on the path.

Tippens make this book accessible to readers by providing countless examples of people fulfilling these everyday practices of Jesus. Though some of the references can sometimes feel overly heady, there are enough simple examples that make the message clear to readers. However, some of the author's suggestions feel overly simple, full of platitudes without enough direction as to how to implement the practices.

Armchair Interviews says: The Pilgrim Heart offers a refreshing look at deepening a personal relationship with Jesus by living as he did.

Solid Book.......2007-02-16

This is a very good book. It's easy to read and offers a bunch of practical insight into the nature of God. I recommend it.

great book.......2007-01-18

This book really helps you take a look at how to really live like Jesus. It is a simple yet thorough read.

Keep reading it gets better.......2006-11-08

This book is well written and well researched. It contains many quotes from historical figures, Christians and philosophers (while this makes it "well-rounded" it can also make the book a bit high-brow in places. The book challenges the reader to consider what it means to be a christian in a variety of life situations. Although my initial impression was that is was a book about spiritual disciplines, it turned out to be more about Christian attitudes. I read and discussed this with a friend and we agreed that the 2nd half of the book is more interesting and engaging than the first...so hang in there, it's worth it.

Pilgrim Stories: On and Off the Road to Santiago, Journeys Along an Ancient Way in Modern Spain

Average customer rating:

Anthropology of the Camino.
Well researched and a fascinating read
Very worthwhile for a prospective Pilgrim.

Pilgrim Stories: On and Off the Road to Santiago, Journeys Along an Ancient Way in Modern Spain
Nancy Louise Frey
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Pilgrimage Road to Santiago: The Complete Cultural Handbook
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Off the Road: A Modern-Day Walk Down the Pilgrim's Route into Spain
The Pilgrim's Guide to Santiago De Compostela

ASIN: 0520217519

Book Description

Each year thousands of men and women from more than sixty countries journey by foot and bicycle across northern Spain, following the medieval pilgrimage road known as the Camino de Santiago. Their destination is Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of the apostle James are said to be buried. These modern-day pilgrims and the role of the pilgrimage in their lives are the subject of Nancy Louise Frey's fascinating book.
Unlike the religiously-oriented pilgrims who visit Marian shrines such as Lourdes, the modern Road of St. James attracts an ecumenical mix of largely well-educated, urban middle-class participants. Eschewing comfortable methods of travel, they choose physically demanding journeys, some as long as four months, in order to experience nature, enjoy cultural and historical patrimony, renew faith, or cope with personal trauma.
Frey's anthropological study focuses on the remarkable reanimation of the Road that has gained momentum since the 1980s. Her intensive fieldwork (including making the pilgrimage several times herself) provides a colorful portrayal of the pilgrimage while revealing a spectrum of hopes, discontents, and desires among its participants, many of whom feel estranged from society. The Camino's physical and mental journey offers them closer community, greater personal knowledge, and links to the past and to nature.
But what happens when pilgrims return home? Exploring this crucial question Frey finds that pilgrims often reflect deeply on their lives and some make significant changes: an artistic voice is discovered, a marriage is ended, meaningful work is found. Other pilgrims repeat the pilgrimage or join a pilgrims' association to keep their connection to the Camino alive. And some only remain pilgrims while on the road. In all, Pilgrim Stories is an exceptional prism through which to understand the desires and dissatisfactions of contemporary Western life at the end of the millennium.
"Feet are touched, discussed, massaged, [and] become signs of a journey well traveled: 'I did it all on foot!' . . . Pilgrims give feet a power and importance not recognized in daily life, as a causeway and direct channel to the road, the past, meaningful relations, nature, and the self."

Customer Reviews:

Anthropology of the Camino........2007-03-15

Be aware that this is not a practical guide to the Camino. At least, it is not a practical guide in the sense that it does not provide lists of refuges or information about places to sleep. Frey has written a book about the culture of pilgrims and the Camino and a potential reader should see it more as an anthropology text than a how-to book.

The sections of the book begin with the kind of person who begins a pilgrimage and ends with the journey home once people have completed the route. As someone who walked the Camino from Utrecht, I was entertained by her descriptions of Camino life. I found myself often nodding in recognition or agreement. I was less interested in her conclusions, I am sorry to admit. But then I was not reading the book from a scholarly perspective.

I would recommend the book for someone who would like to get a feel for the culture and experience of walking the Camino. Unfortunately, Frey is not the strongest writer and it often reads like an extended senior thesis. Three stars for the book and one star extra for the extensive bibliography.

Well researched and a fascinating read.......2000-05-21

Anyone who's walked or thought about walking Spain's greatest long distance walk, the Camino de Santiago will love this book. A young woman who walked this medieval pilgrimage route recommended this book. I began to understand her enthusiasm for this modern-day adventure--a road trip on foot through Spain's majestic lands, visiting the past and the present and meeting all sorts of fascinating people. Anthropologist Nancy Frey has managed to bring the experience to vivid life conjuring the sights, sounds, emotions, exhilarations and disappointments of modern pilgrims as they trek across Spain in search of themselves, God, happiness or whatever else may be meaningful to them. Frey follows hundreds of pilgrims during and after their walk and tackles the questions of what happens once people go home and they trace their lives back to their points of origin around the world--Brazil, Germany, UK, US and, of course, Spain. I highly recommend this book!

Very worthwhile for a prospective Pilgrim........1999-02-18

I found this book to be very helpful to me as I am in the planning stages of walking El Camino in 2000. Although I believe that too much stress is put on the spiritual and religious aspect of the walk a lot of practical information is provided as well. I was especially pleased to learn about the infrastructure which has been recently developed to assist Pilgrims. Ms. Frey has researched the subject to a great extent and puts a very positive light on this interesting subject. She has also presented numerous of the varied motives for tackling this venture.

The Way of a Pilgrim: And the Pilgrim Continues His Way

Average customer rating:

East Christianity's version of the West's John Bunyan classic - "The Pilgrim's Progress"
russia
an amazing find
A Very Spiritual Enlightening Story
A Virtually Unknown Christian Classic!

The Way of a Pilgrim: And the Pilgrim Continues His Way

Manufacturer: HarperSanFrancisco
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

The Philokalia, Volume 1: The Complete Text; Compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain & St. Markarios of Corinth (Philokalia Vol. I)
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The Way of a Pilgrim
The Mountain of Silence: A Search for Orthodox Spirituality

ASIN: 0060630175

Book Description

A portrait of the traditions and interior life of Russian Orthodox spirituality.

Customer Reviews:

East Christianity's version of the West's John Bunyan classic - "The Pilgrim's Progress".......2006-12-28

RANK: 5.0 STARS
(there is also a newer and fresher translation by Olga Savin and forward from Father Thomas Hopko, read cover, published in 2001 by Shambhala Classics)

Introduction:

A hidden spiritual treasure worthy of contemplation and meditation for any Christian who wants to grow closer to the heart and life of Jesus.

While reading this book, I realized that this spiritual devotional is a gem on the cultural and timeless level as John Bunyan's classic "The Pilgrim's Progress" (a favorite with Protestants) or Thomas a Kempis' classic "The Imitation of Christ" or Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God"(well known by Roman-Catholics). Historically, the eastern church (Ortodoxy) is one whose theology is synonymous with mysticism, something that comes across in "The Way of the Pilgrim" thru the Jesus Prayer and Philokalia. The western church (Catholic and Protestant) emphasis is more on systemic theology and doctrinal formulations.

Author:
The author is unknown. Father Thomas Hopko (from famous Orthodox Seminary St. Vladimir in New York), who write the forward, states that "whatever the origin and intention of the anonymous author's fascinating story" the pilgrim's way "affirms first of all that the source, goal and content of human life is ... the living God Himself."

Content:
The spiritual way of this pilgrim tells us "that life is communion with God ... a ceaseless prayer in pursuit of God and communion with him." It also tells us that "Jesus Christ is this life."

The pilgrimage starts with an honest question: "What does it mean to pray without ceasing?" (as the pilgrim had heard during Liturgy; 1 Thes. 5:17, Eph. 6:18, 1 Tim. 2:18). He searches long for an answer to his questions of "how one is to pray unceasingly and what is the nature of this sort of prayer."

He travels with a Bible that is very dear to him (which he had been reading from early childhood) and a sack of dried bread crumbs and some water. Once he learns of the "Jesus Prayer" that the holy Church Fathers had written about, he realizes that "the prayer began to move of its own accord from my lips into my heart." He states that "calling on the name of Jesus now filled my days with joys" and everytime a spirit of sorrow, fatigue, doubt came over him, repeating "the Jesus Prayer" helps him to turn his mind and heart to God and fills him with divine peace and joy. The pilgrim also learns and acquires the Philokalia, a collection of deep spiritual writings from the Christians of the East. Thus the Pilgrim's progress is a life of reading the Bible, having a life of prayer, and contemplating on the spiritual gems found in the Philokalia.

Conclusion:
If you believe that "we are all pilgrims on a journey to God", as the forward to "The Way of the Pilgrim" states, than your spiritual life will be enriched by this Christian classic.

"Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Doamne ajuta! (Roumanian for 'May God help us!')

russia.......2006-12-20

Like most people, I started reading this after "Franny and Zooey". What I really liked about this book is its simplicity. It stars a simple peasant who gives up all of his posessions to worship Jesus, after all.

But more than that, the writing sytle is very warm and simple. It is written in first person. Simple thoughts with a lot of meaning, I think.

For instance the peasant writes about how he feels joy when he first begins the Jesus prayer, but remembers when he was warned by someone in the church not to be fooled, because when someone starts the Jesus prayer they're overwhelmed with superficial emotions. That's the part that has really stayed with me, for some reason. It resonated with me so well because well, I think we all know what that's like; getting all excited for something and thinking it's going to be a major passion in your life and then it turns out it doesn't matter much in a month.

Now, I must admit I was tempted to follow the jesus prayer (this was before I decided to practice Judaism) and it is heart warming. I think we should all recite the Jesus Prayer; we will be more kind hearted like the peasant. That's what I got from this book.

an amazing find.......2006-05-24

I first came across a copy of the Way of a Pilgrim when wandering in India in 1972. Someone had left the book in a deserted house in Goa on a shelf along with a stack of onions. Many thanks to whoever that was. The onions were nourishing to the body. But the book was an introduction to a world of prayer of which I had no previous knowledge. Whoever the Pilgrim was, his yearning had evidently been answered and he was truly 'on the way'.

A Very Spiritual Enlightening Story.......2005-09-30

I have read this book twice....I especially like French's translation. It opens an aspect of the Christian Life which is not delt with in Western Christian thought or spiritual disciplian. It opens an aspect of Christianity which I found very meaningful and powerful. The book was a true blessing.

Fr. David Belding

A Virtually Unknown Christian Classic!.......2005-06-30

Though virtually unknown in Western Christianity, THE WAY OF A PILGRIM, is one of the most revered classics of Orthodox spirituality. In the first portion of this book the unnamed pilgrim introduces the reader to hesychasm through use of the "Jesus Prayer" (Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner). I found this journal of the pilgrim's travels tedious. The second portion of the book is more of a theological question and answer session between the pilgrim and his companions. I enjoyed this section more. All in all, this is an important book for Protestants to read because it enlarges their awareness of the greater Christian world, but it probably will not make a profound impact by itself.

The book's greatest strength is its usefulness as an introduction to the PHILOKALIA. The PHILOKALIA is a five-part collection of writings on mysticism in the Christian Orthodox tradition. It was written over a period of 11 centuries. 4 of the 5 volumes have been translated into English and are for sale through Amazon.com.

The Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics)

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Bad print
East Christianity's version of the West's John Bunyan classic - "The Pilgrim's Progress"
Christian classic

The Way of a Pilgrim and A Pilgrim Continues on His Way (Shambhala Classics)

Manufacturer: Shambhala
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1570628076
Release Date: 2001-11-06

Amazon.com

The Way of a Pilgrim is a spiritual classic, but its origins are shrouded in mystery. It came to a remote monastery in Greece in the 19th century and was first published in 1884. Whether it is literal, fictitious, metaphorical, or pedagogical is unknown. The story follows an itinerant spiritual wanderer, all the time practicing Saint Paul's exhortation to "pray without ceasing." Specifically, the pilgrim repeats one prayer unceasingly, the Jesus prayer, until it becomes a sort of mantra. Through repetition of the prayer and encounters with his fellow inhabitants of 19th-century Russia and Siberia, the wanderer finds a spiritual enlightenment.

The Way of a Pilgrim is an oddity, but it can also be strikingly profound. In its sequel, A Pilgrim Continues His Way, the pilgrim engages an even richer dramatis personae in dialogues and spiritual lessons. Olga Savin's crisp, straightforward translation preserves the distinctive timelessness that makes the book great spiritual literature. This edition also includes three appendices that elaborate on the narrative's themes and a helpful glossary. --Eric de Place

Book Description

This classic of world spiritual literature is the firsthand account of a pilgrim's journey as he endeavors to live out Saint Paul's instruction to "pray without ceasing." The narrator, an unnamed nineteenth-century peasant, sets out on his pilgrimage with nothing but a Bible, a rosary, and some dried bread. As he walks, he recites the Jesus prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me")—a prayer that is said to quiet anxiety and fill the heart with love for all creation. With this prayer constantly on his lips, the pilgrim undergoes a profound spiritual education. This edition includes the sequel to The Way of a Pilgrim, entitled A Pilgrim Continues His Way, which contains a lengthy appendix reviewing the teachings of the Holy Fathers on the Jesus prayer.

Customer Reviews:

Bad print.......2007-01-10

This book has very bad print on a bad paper! It will hurt your eyes!

Never seen such a thing in my life, you can't read it for half one hour without headache.

Never more books from this publisher! Waste of money!

I have to buy other version of The Way, so I can read it.

East Christianity's version of the West's John Bunyan classic - "The Pilgrim's Progress".......2006-12-25

Introduction:

A hidden spiritual treasure worthy of contemplation and meditation for any Christian who wants to grow closer to the heart and life of Jesus.

While reading this book, I realized that this spiritual devotional is a gem on the cultural and timeless level as John Bunyan's classic "The Pilgrim's Progress" (a favorite with Protestants) or Thomas a Kempis' classic "The Imitation of Christ" or Brother Lawrence's "The Practice of the Presence of God"(well known by Roman-Catholics). Historically, the eastern church (Ortodoxy) is one whose theology is synonymous with mysticism, something that comes across in "The Way of the Pilgrim" thru the Jesus Prayer and Philokalia. The western church (Catholic and Protestant) emphasis is more on systemic theology and doctrinal formulations.

Author:
The author is unknown. Father Thomas Hopko (from famous Orthodox Seminary St. Vladimir in New York), who write the forward, states that "whatever the origin and intention of the anonymous author's fascinating story" the pilgrim's way "affirms first of all that the source, goal and content of human life is ... the living God Himself."

Content:
The spiritual way of this pilgrim tells us "that life is communion with God ... a ceaseless prayer in pursuit of God and communion with him." It also tells us that "Jesus Christ is this life."

The pilgrimage starts with an honest question: "What does it mean to pray without ceasing?" (as the pilgrim had heard during Liturgy; 1 Thes. 5:17, Eph. 6:18, 1 Tim. 2:18). He searches long for an answer to his questions of "how one is to pray unceasingly and what is the nature of this sort of prayer."

He travels with a Bible that is very dear to him (which he had been reading from early childhood) and a sack of dried bread crumbs and some water. Once he learns of the "Jesus Prayer" that the holy Church Fathers had written about, he realizes that "the prayer began to move of its own accord from my lips into my heart." He states that "calling on the name of Jesus now filled my days with joys" and everytime a spirit of sorrow, fatigue, doubt came over him, repeating "the Jesus Prayer" helps him to turn his mind and heart to God and fills him with divine peace and joy. The pilgrim also learns and acquires the Philokalia, a collection of deep spiritual writings from the Christians of the East. Thus the Pilgrim's progress is a life of reading the Bible, having a life of prayer, and contemplating on the spiritual gems found in the Philokalia.

Conclusion:
If you believe that "we are all pilgrims on a journey to God", as the forward to "The Way of the Pilgrim" states, than your spiritual life will be enriched by this Christian classic.

"Lord Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner." Doamne ajuta! (roumanian for 'May God help us!')

Christian classic.......2006-10-09

A classic in the search of how to live the Christian life. The Pilgrim is a young man searching for the meaning of how to pray without ceasing and through that search his life is altered for the better. By way of Pilgrim's search, you will find yourself seeking the same passion for God he does.

Though the book is sadly unknown outside Orthodox Christian circles, it is an enjoyable and inspirational read for Christians of any denominational persuasion. It is also key to understanding Orthodox Christian theology at its roots. To compare it with other works that might be more familiar I think _In His Steps_ (ISBN: 0800786084) by Sheldon comes close. But Pilgrim remains a classic in its own right.

Fingers Pointing Towards the Moon: Reflections of a Pilgrim on the Way

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Wei Wu Wei Almost Says It All
The Removal of the False
True spiritual classic in the Zen and Advaita traditions

Fingers Pointing Towards the Moon: Reflections of a Pilgrim on the Way
Wei Wu Wei
Manufacturer: Sentient Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1591810108

Book Description

The first of a series of extraordinary spiritual manifestos written by the anonymous Wei Wu Wei.

Customer Reviews:

Wei Wu Wei Almost Says It All.......2006-02-23

I have been reading enlightenment literature for thirty years. Though awakening to the Real cannot be brought about through the written word, words can point the way. The words of Wei Wu Wei are without a doubt pointing in the right direction.

Mark R. Normand (Pilgrim)

The Removal of the False.......2004-10-11

Notions collected over a lifetime are put to question in this simple book. What is often held tightest is that which must be questioned the most. This book turns the reader back unto himself to sift through the numerous concepts, which have been gathered and ponder on their true validity. Each word contained within this book is precious.

True spiritual classic in the Zen and Advaita traditions.......2003-12-31

Profoundly deep and clear at the same time, Wei Wu Wei may take some getting used to but the effort is well rewarded. His books from previous publishers sell for hundreds of dollars on the used book circuit. Sentient is providing a much appreciated service through these reprintings.

CCEL Classics CD: works by Saint Augustine, John Calvin, John Donne, Julian of Norwich, Brother Lawrence, Martin Luther, Saint Teresa of Avila, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas a Kempis, John Wesley, and more!

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CCEL Classics CD: works by Saint Augustine, John Calvin, John Donne, Julian of Norwich, Brother Lawrence, Martin Luther, Saint Teresa of Avila, Thomas Aquinas, Thomas a Kempis, John Wesley, and more!
Dr. W. Harry Plantinga
Manufacturer: Christian Classics Ethereal Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: CD-ROM

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Product Description

The most important spiritual writings of Christian history are available on this Classics CD by the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) at Calvin College. It contains 118 Christian classics, including three versions of the Bible, several commentaries, Bible dictionaries, readings, spiritual guides, sermons, poems and journals -- all in a convenient, searchable form. Books are available in HTML and PDF formats. The easy-to-use CCEL Desktop software powering the CD enables users to browse and print books and install additional books from the Web. The top-of-class search engine can search for words or phrases in books, in authors works or in the whole library. In addition, it can search for dictionary definitions of words and commentary or references to scripture passages. The interface is a Web browser. The CD is compatible with Windows 2000+, Macintosh 10.3+, and most Linux versions.

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The Way of a Pilgrim, and The Pilgrim Continues His Way

Manufacturer: The Seabury Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 086683902X

Following the Milky Way: A Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago

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"If we were religious, would it hurt less?"
One of the best on the Camino.
Going to Santiago...a must read!

Following the Milky Way: A Pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago
Elyn Aviva
Manufacturer: Pilgrims' Process, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0971060908
Release Date: 2003-07-16

Book Description

Following the Milky Way is the story of Elyn Aviva's 500-mile-long journey on foot on the Camino de Santiago. This 1000-year-old pilgrimage road stretches from the French Pyrenees across northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela, sup-posed tomb of St. James the Apostle. It is a journey that crosses the landscape of the soul as well as the mountains and mesetas of Spain. This book is a vivid memoir of a life-changing adventure, chance encounters, unforeseen dangers, and unexpected pleasures. Spanish history, wine, food, lit-erature, art, architecture, and legend share equal time with the stories of pilgrims that Elyn meets along the way. Following the Milky Way is a fascinating his-torical document. Today, hundreds of thousands of people-including Shirley MacLaine-are going on the Camino, but Following the Milky Way describes the pilgrimage in 1982, when the Camino was nearly abandoned. This second edition includes a new introduction that explores the meaning of pilgrimage in greater detail, delves more deeply into the esoteric symbols and pre-Christian shrines that lie hidden within the Way, and provides a unique look at the changes that have occurred in the pilgrimage in recent years.

Customer Reviews:

"If we were religious, would it hurt less?".......2004-03-08

The review heading is a quote from day 10, July 18, 1982 in Elyn Aviva's fascinating tapestry of trail journal and scholarly insight. This story was first published in 1989. The 2nd edition was published in 2001. Prior to the 2nd edition, the author walked the Camino again in 1997 and again in 2000.

The Camino in 1982 was a vastly different experience from the modern Camino, and for this reason the author has left the text of the body unchanged except for some editing. She has added an 18 page Introduction to the 2nd Edition where she describes some of the changes over the last twenty years and talks about the other pre Christian pilgrimage routes that some believe evolved into the Christian Camino.

I had never read the original edition, and really enjoyed the account of Elyn and her friend Bill's journey. They had never backpacked before, and started out carrying heavy packs, wearing new boots, and throughout the book I emphasized with the experience of new backpackers, gradually becoming fit. In 1982 there were few refugios compared to today, and frequently they slept under the open sky. The trail was poorly marked, sometimes non existent compared to today. Sometimes they had to hitch. Particularly in the earlier part of the trek, the local people did not look on pilgrims with favor.

Each day gets a section in the book, with a little map showing maybe a third of the entire Camino, with a little bracket showing the distance walked for the day. The first day has a similar map of the entire route - not a map for detailed info, but a simple line with place names. Day 1 starts in St. Jean Pied de Port and the book ends with Day 47 - leaving Santiago.

Anyone who has walked the Camino will appreciate this story, and anyone about to travel the route will benefit from the history included with the day to day narrative.

Modern day walkers - read this for background, but be sure to get the Confraternity of St. James The Camino Frances guide to take with you, as well as either John Brierley's guide or Davies and Cole's guide. Also, check the forums such as GoCamino and Santiagobis and websites such as backpack45.

One of the best on the Camino........2001-08-24

Elyn Aviva has written an excellent book on walking the Camino. She includes the human interest angle as well as interesting info about the history, cultural aspects, and architecture. The fact that her walk was in 1982, before the Camino became the popular pilgrimage route it is now, is quite interesting. I consider this book to be a great addition to my growing library of books on this subject.

Going to Santiago...a must read!.......2001-07-23

This account of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, made in 1982, before the current resurgence, contains everything you need to know about history, architecture, myth and legend along the ancient route across northern Spain and more. It is a personal account, but one chock full of customs and lore, as well as facts and individual musings on the nature of pilgrimage and what drives a pilgrim to leave home and hearth to trek 500 miles to the medieval end of the world.

Elyn tells her story with humor and pathos and ask the reader to consider just what the pilgrimage route and the symbols contained therein might really mean for today's pilgrims. It is, after all, both an inner and outer journey.

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