Christian meditation : experiencing the presence of God / James Finley.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Finley, James

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Meditation--Christianity.

Meditation.

Physical Description:

xii, 290 pages ; 22 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

[San Francisco] : HarperSanFrancisco, [2004]

Summary:

In this thoughtful and accessible book, well-known spiritual counselor and speaker James Finley presents the fundamentals of both understanding and practicing Christian meditation today. His meditation practice and the contemplative life that flows from it were influenced by his studies with Thomas Merton at the Abbey of Gethsemani. Through meditation, says Finley, practitioners can learn to be more awake, compassionate, Christlike human beings. Christian Meditation introduces an ancient practice to a contemporary audience. James Finley, a well-known spiritual counselor and speaker, presents the fundamentals of both understanding and practicing Christian meditation. A former monk and student of Thomas Merton, Finley teaches readers to expand (or begin) their meditation practices in concert with their faith and guides them to discover that divine moments of awakened consciousness can lead to a deeper connection with Christ. He explains how meditation can enrich our daily lives by connecting us not only with the present moment, but also with the eternal now that is beyond time. Finley provides simple, helpful instructions on the practicalities so essential to true meditation -- focusing one's attention, sitting, breathing, orienting one's eyes, walking, and maintaining a compassionate, forgiving attitude. Above all, he makes clear that the aim of meditation is to allow us to experience divine contemplation, the presence of God.

Contents:

Chapter 1 Divine Destination 1

Chapter 2 Learning to Meditate 22

Chapter 3 Meditative Experience 42

Chapter 4 A Ladder to Heaven 72

Chapter 5 A Monastery Without Walls 101

Chapter 6 The Self-Transforming Journey 130

Chapter 7 Entering the Mind of Christ 175

Chapter 8 Present, Open, and Awake 203

Chapter 9 Sit Still 216

Chapter 10 Sit Straight 229

Chapter 11 Slow, Deep, Natural Breathing 242

Chapter 12 Eyes Closed or Lowered Toward the Ground 253

Chapter 13 Walking Meditation 266

Chapter 14 Compassion 278.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 287-290).

ISBN:

0060591927

OCLC:

54685723