Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, a Benedictine Oblate, is author of Lectio Divina—The Sacred Art: Transforming Words & Images into Heart-Centered Prayer, Desert Fathers and Mothers: Early Christian Wisdom Sayings—Annotated & Explained (both SkyLight Paths) and The Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom, among other books. She frequently leads retreats and teaches on the wisdom of Benedictine, Celtic and desert ways of praying. A writer, artist, spiritual director, retreat facilitator and teacher, she is the online Abbess of www.abbeyofthearts.com, a global online monastery dedicated to the integration of contemplative practice and creative expression.

• Introduction ixGive Me a Word 3Your Cell Will Teach You Everything 7Heart-Centered Spirituality 27Thoughts, Desires, and Passions 37Humility, Simplicity, and the Beginner's Heart 57Spiritual Elders and Soul Friends 85Tears of Compunction 93The Necessity of Practice 101Virtues, Charity, and the Service of Love 111Solitude, Silence, and Hesychia 119Three Essential Things 125Prayer and Differing Gifts 129Conclusion: How to Become a Monk 137Notes 144Suggestions for Further Reading 146

"Provides not only a wonderful introduction to a fascinating world (the opening chapter alone is worth the price of the book), but an invitation to seek our own 'word' from the abbas and ammas of Christian antiquity.... Offers one of the best guidebooks I've seen for those who’ve been called to the contemplative life."—Paula Huston, author, The Holy Way and Simplifying the Soul"Offers the reader a good drink from the clear stream of desert wisdom. She honors the tradition while making it entirely relevant to our times."—Mary C. Earle, writer and Episcopal priest; author, The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from the Women of the Wilderness and Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings—Annotated & Explained“A splendid introduction to one of the most essential periods of the Western contemplative tradition.... Offers insight into the austere and wondrous spirituality of the desert ... and why their pithy teachings remain so essential for the study and practice of Christian spirituality today. [The] commentary makes the wisdom of the desert come alive.”—Carl McColman, author, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism and Answering the Contemplative Call

Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, a Benedictine Oblate, is author of Lectio Divina—The Sacred Art: Transforming Words & Images into Heart-Centered Prayer, Desert Fathers and Mothers: Early Christian Wisdom Sayings—Annotated & Explained (both SkyLight Paths) and The Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom, among other books. She frequently leads retreats and teaches on the wisdom of Benedictine, Celtic and desert ways of praying. A writer, artist, spiritual director, retreat facilitator and teacher, she is the online Abbess of www.abbeyofthearts.com, a global online monastery dedicated to the integration of contemplative practice and creative expression.

• Introduction ixGive Me a Word 3Your Cell Will Teach You Everything 7Heart-Centered Spirituality 27Thoughts, Desires, and Passions 37Humility, Simplicity, and the Beginner's Heart 57Spiritual Elders and Soul Friends 85Tears of Compunction 93The Necessity of Practice 101Virtues, Charity, and the Service of Love 111Solitude, Silence, and Hesychia 119Three Essential Things 125Prayer and Differing Gifts 129Conclusion: How to Become a Monk 137Notes 144Suggestions for Further Reading 146

"Provides not only a wonderful introduction to a fascinating world (the opening chapter alone is worth the price of the book), but an invitation to seek our own 'word' from the abbas and ammas of Christian antiquity.... Offers one of the best guidebooks I've seen for those who’ve been called to the contemplative life."—Paula Huston, author, The Holy Way and Simplifying the Soul"Offers the reader a good drink from the clear stream of desert wisdom. She honors the tradition while making it entirely relevant to our times."—Mary C. Earle, writer and Episcopal priest; author, The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from the Women of the Wilderness and Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings—Annotated & Explained“A splendid introduction to one of the most essential periods of the Western contemplative tradition.... Offers insight into the austere and wondrous spirituality of the desert ... and why their pithy teachings remain so essential for the study and practice of Christian spirituality today. [The] commentary makes the wisdom of the desert come alive.”—Carl McColman, author, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism and Answering the Contemplative Call

Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, a Benedictine Oblate, is author of Lectio Divina—The Sacred Art: Transforming Words & Images into Heart-Centered Prayer, Desert Fathers and Mothers: Early Christian Wisdom Sayings—Annotated & Explained (both SkyLight Paths) and The Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom, among other books. She frequently leads retreats and teaches on the wisdom of Benedictine, Celtic and desert ways of praying. A writer, artist, spiritual director, retreat facilitator and teacher, she is the online Abbess of www.abbeyofthearts.com, a global online monastery dedicated to the integration of contemplative practice and creative expression.

• Introduction ixGive Me a Word 3Your Cell Will Teach You Everything 7Heart-Centered Spirituality 27Thoughts, Desires, and Passions 37Humility, Simplicity, and the Beginner's Heart 57Spiritual Elders and Soul Friends 85Tears of Compunction 93The Necessity of Practice 101Virtues, Charity, and the Service of Love 111Solitude, Silence, and Hesychia 119Three Essential Things 125Prayer and Differing Gifts 129Conclusion: How to Become a Monk 137Notes 144Suggestions for Further Reading 146

"Provides not only a wonderful introduction to a fascinating world (the opening chapter alone is worth the price of the book), but an invitation to seek our own 'word' from the abbas and ammas of Christian antiquity.... Offers one of the best guidebooks I've seen for those who’ve been called to the contemplative life."—Paula Huston, author, The Holy Way and Simplifying the Soul"Offers the reader a good drink from the clear stream of desert wisdom. She honors the tradition while making it entirely relevant to our times."—Mary C. Earle, writer and Episcopal priest; author, The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from the Women of the Wilderness and Celtic Christian Spirituality: Essential Writings—Annotated & Explained“A splendid introduction to one of the most essential periods of the Western contemplative tradition.... Offers insight into the austere and wondrous spirituality of the desert ... and why their pithy teachings remain so essential for the study and practice of Christian spirituality today. [The] commentary makes the wisdom of the desert come alive.”—Carl McColman, author, The Big Book of Christian Mysticism and Answering the Contemplative Call