In the Heart of the Desert: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers (Treasures of the World's Religions)

In 2007, my spiritual director, a Jesuit, invited me to read this book. I kept his copy for several months. I enjoyed very much the book during my "desert" time - 21 days of praying and fasting. I used some of the stories for my personal meditation and they helped me to surrender to God. My nakedness in the desert allowed me to rely more on the divine providence and to let the spirit guide me, instruct me and be with me (Psalm 32, 8).Re-reading my journal notes from November 2007, I decided to buy my own copy of "in the heart of the desert". I shared this book with a dear friend of mine.It is very well written and reminded me of all of my years of monastic life. I keep reading it and re-reading it.

Used this book for furthering education on history of religious

This book is hard to put down, and I intend to re-read it.The stories of the 'Abbas' and 'Ammas' and their interactions with the brethren and sisters in the context of spiritual direction are insightful and have great spiritual depth and meaning. So many lessons! I especially loved the stories of Abba Zosimas and Abba Poemen.The section on Zosimas is newly translated material. This book is a treasure. All of the stories are generally great storehouses of Wisdom--and give insight into how to live in the Kingdom of Heaven...whether or not you presently dwell in the desert.After all, the desert is a spiritual metaphor...isn't it?

A good book: as other reviewers have said : the "Text on the Reflections of Abba Zosimas" pg. 123-149 make the book worth buying even if one doesn't care much for the author's writing.The many color pictures are good.One picture has a saint's picture has a motto: "gentleness, patience, moderation" (plate IV).Seems the author, like as the trend to do so, has substituted the word "gentleness" for the word "meekness" which is a rich word in Greek that can't be adequately translated into English. Webster's 1828 Dictionary : MEE'KNESS, noun Softness of temper; mildness; gentleness; forbearance under injuries and provocations. [ but that is an abbreviated definition; everyone should understand the Greek word fully : consult Vine's Expository Dictionary.]And also about that motto, I reckon "patience" is a translation of μακρΟθυμία which would be more accurately translated "forebearance" (KJV M.E. "long-suffering" ~ Webster's 1828 Dictionary : LONG-SUF'FERING, noun Long endurance; patience of offense.)

I love this book. It is a power house of insight into the writings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers written with wisdom and grace. -Amos Smith (author of Healing The Divide: Recovering Christianity's Mystic Roots)

This is a wonderful book on the Desert Fathers and Mothers, I enjoyed it.

Very good read. The desert fathers are men of few words that speak to the heart!

Very inspirational. A good overview of the Abbas and Amma's. I was completely surprised that those who discipline themselves quite stringently were so non-judgmental of others. The readings bring peace as well as a challenge for my own life.

A must read for all who are not in the desert now. And an introduction for Jesus prayer.

Loved this book. Great collection of Desert Sayings recorded with real accuracy and explained with keen insight by an impressive author. The best I've read on the subject of the early Church Mothers and Fathers. Very true, very helpful, very inspiring.Kindle version downloaded better the scond time I installed it and I am glad to own the printed paperback version also! A true classic for any serious Christian and not just for Christians either but a worthy edition to any Library of Wisdom, spanning universal Truths that can be applid across a broad spectrum of Faiths.

The World of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, although vastly different from our own, has many parallels. Like them we too must wrestle with our demons. We may not live in the barren wastes of Egypt and Syria, but we face similar temptations. Deacon John Chryssavgis's book offers a creative way to view our individual pilgrimages to the Kingdom. The lives of those holy men and women convey ways of looking at God's dealings with us in relation to the personal conflicts, doubts ans fears we all experience to-day.

This book gives examples of the sayings of the desert fathers and gives a clear picture of their lives. Very useful as research for an essay. Would recommend it to anyone interested in spirituality. Very thought provoking

Highly recommend the seller. Very satisfied with price, speedy delivery and book condition.