Abbey Books

The reader will find here the nuts and bolts of practical application, from postures to hand positions, from beginning to advanced. Just as valuable is the connection the authors make with the teachings of the early mystics of Christianity. They present an experiential tradition virtually lost to the West after the schism between the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Yet any seeker after higher consciousness or encounter with the divine will benefit from this book. It is based on many years of training, experience and teaching. The authors are among the most important spiritual directors in Europe. Highly recommended for those who seek to unite with the reality of the sacred

This book offers the practical details of entering into deep meditation, from ways of sitting to the classic position of hands. It draws from a variety of teachings, including ancient Christian, Buddhist and modern psychotherapy. The reader will also find here the presentation of the mystical side of Christianity as taught in the early centuries when union with the Divine was meant to be an experience, not merely a belief. The authors are also influenced by the great German master Karlfried Graf Durckheim, whose teaching combines years of study with Zen Buddhists in Japan, a personal friendship with Jung, and the wisdom of the mystic Meister Eckhart. For readers who wish to find their center and true inner peace, and for those who wish to rediscover the deeper contents of their religion, this is the book to read. The foreword is by well known author George Maloney

I'm a Marine vet. In the Marines, I studied literature on weapons, combat, hand-to-hand fighting, and all the rest. But nobody from the U.S. Government or from the top rank to the bottom ever told me I couldn't read the Bible,Henry Drummond's The Greatest Thing in the Word, the Upper Room, As a Man Thinketh, or the Saturday Evening Post. That's from one of the most stringent training units in existence. The Marines don't censor the mind, or the literature, or freedom of expression. But that's what my friends in recovery get thrown at them all the time. They mention the Bible or Jesus Christ, and right away some character sounds off that this violates the Traditions, that such material is not "conference approved," or that A.A. is spiritual but not religious and hence doesn't consider these outside issues. But that's not A.A. as I read it in Dick B.'s books. I have to distinguish what individuals did and can do from what someone tells them they can't do. And the best answer is history--the history of A.A. itself. This simple little book shows just how broad the reading, religious study, use of the Bible, and employment of devotionals was in A.A. It's not a secret. It's just that people don't know it and get intimidated by nonsensical remarks. I'm very grateful for this excellent review of all the books AAs studied - about God, about the Bible,about Jesus Christ, about prayer, about healing, about Quiet Time, about religion and the mind, and even about William James, Carl Jung, Dr. Silkworth and all the rest. People in recovery are not in a cage, nor should they let anyone put them there. Again the answer is history, and this is the book that shows precisely that there never was a cage. I recommend it to those who want to be free and are scared to death to say so. Take heart you kindred souls: Read, Recover, Enjoy. Remember God

The Big Book suggests that there are many helpful books that can be read in connection with the Eleventh Step. And early AAs read all kinds of literature, which is covered in this guide. Their books were those on Quiet Time, prayer, healing, love, forgiveness, daily devotionals, the Oxford Group, and New Thought writers like Fox, Drummond,Clark, etc. Dick plumbed the sources from Dr. Bob's Library, Anne Smith's Journal, That Amazing Grace (what Clarence Snyder had in his library, Henrietta B. Seiberling (what her children told him about her library), the books T. Henry Williams read, all the Sam Shoemaker articles and books, and the immense number of Oxford Group books Dick collected. Here is a concise description of the books you will find helpful to your spiritual growth, just as I have. And see Dr. Bob and His Library, Anne Smith's Journal, That Amazing Grace, DR. BOB and the Good Oldtimers, AA The Way It Began by Pittman, New Light on Alcoholism, and The Oxford Group and Alcoholics Anonymous

I just finished reading the richly rewarding "On Loving God by Bernard of Clairvaux, Emero Stiegman." It was serendipitious for me, as I was only looking for the author [an old lost friend and my daughter's godfather] on the internet. When I found out he wrote this book, I just had to read it.

It was not easy. Only 42 pages of Bernard's text and another 108 pages of commentary, [plus notes, bibliography and index] make up this slim volume. But don't be fooled: what it lacks in size is more than balanced by its density. It took a long time to read, even though Emero's style is gentle and fluid. But each sentence is packed with solid meat, and one needs time to digest. My conclusion is that Bernard is a genius whom I never really appreciated until I met him again through Emero's eyes and heart. Emero is also a genius for being able to digest and interpret Bernard so lucidly and lovingly.

Emero's conclusion to his commentary reveals much about the two men: In speaking about Bernard's treatise on loving God, he says: "In the strength of its fidelity to the most elemental truths of consciousness this interpretation of the data of experience is justly prized by the phiolospher, who is satisfied in the unity of its vision, and by the theologian, who discovers in it, not applications of doctrine but a source of doctrinal clarification. The philosopher and theologian in everyone who reads Saint Bernard has succumbed to him, What wins attention is not so much his personality - though history agrees he was a charmer - or his style - though his craft was finely honed - but a powerful simplicity in his perception of the human struggle. Breaking though the successive barriers left by cultural evolution to reappropriate this vision is a richly rewarding task. What the man or woman of the spirit, or the student of spirituality finds in it is the reassurance and guidance of a clear witness to God's presence in human life." To which I can only add a resounding "AMEN"

This brief book On Loving God is a wonderful summary of God's love for humanity. It is a rich text, studded with support from biblical passages. The running theme throughout this book is, appropriately, love. The book will raise some interesting questions in your mind, such as why you love that which you love. For instance, he mentions that if you love a certain being for what it offers, it is actually that object which it offers that you love, and not the being himself. There are many other fine expositions on the subject of love. . . but I will leave them for you to digest on your own, as I will not be able to relate them to you sufficiently in this review.

A beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully sensitive reminder of the "reason for the season". To be used as a day by day approach to this wonderful celebration. A very small book containing the best Christmas gift of all!

This sweet little book is full of practical and thoughtful ways of simplifying the holiday season, particularly for those of us who try to do it all! The beautifully detailed illustrations of elf people are appropriate to each point and suggestion made, which are numbered 1 thru 30. It is very easy and quick to read yet packs alot of meaningful content. One of my favorites is: #10 Relinquish super-human efforts to produce Christmas-card-perfect holiday celebrations. Christmas is about God becoming human--not humans becoming gods.

I have been hoping for a book for little girls who want to play hockey and this one is great. The story is cute, the pictures are bright and tell the story and it is perfect for all girls who skate or want to learn about hockey. I have the other hockey book by this author and it is also a great children's story.

We have two sons and a grandson who played hockey. If you have kids in hockey you know it's a great sport. We just bought Girls Play Hockey Too for our granddaughter. It's wonderfully written and beautifully illustrated. The women's hockey teams at UW and in the Olympics prove that women can play high quality hockey. This book would be a great way to get a daughter or granddaughter interested in the game. As a lifelong hockey dad I highly recommend it.

I loved this book. For juevinile fiction it's tops. The story makes you hope. Makes you eager. Makes you wonder. If you love characters, you will love this story. ..'the witch, the wolfhound, the dead monks who haunt the abandonded abbey, and the Irish famine...' ...how can you resist?? :)

I think The Haunting of Kildoran Abbey is a good book for anyone to read, because it's showing kids working together to help their people during a time of need.

An intriguing glimpse into the souls of four men on a quest. Lyrical prose with imagery that will haunt me forever. Beautiful, insightful, funny. Contains a few very fine photographs whose detail and clarity are amazing.

Four best friends journey into the Northern California wilderness from separate starting points, with a promise to meet up with each other at a certain point. Armed with their maps, each of the four records their trials, self-discoveries, wonderments and thoughts along the way in this intensely personal account of their journeys.

A magical, mystical (and often funny) joy to read!

Absolutely the most beautiful books I have ever purchased and worth every penny. I will definitely buy classic books from this company again. Though next time I will have them delivered to my mailbox instead of home so I don't have to run to the Post Office to pick them up and sign for them.

These are beautiful books. I will have to save my pennies. Exquisite quality.

Just a sentence or two a day. Inspiring, easy reading with delightful illustrations that will make it hard for you to resist smiling and be happy just discovering your self-worth all over again. And if you feel like it, you can color the illustrations, too!

One in a series of 'elfin' books that does one's spirit good. It's just the right size to put in a pocket - a big plus. Just open it at any page and read the thought and look at the adjoining picture and it helps to lighten the moment. Well worth the price.

This poetry warms your soul. With its references to childhood and mother, beasts and relationships, serious and silly, it offers a rare perspective on life as it flows effortlessly from its pages. I have been compelled to phone some of my friends and read some passages to them. The drawings are an additional bonus.

After reading this collection of poems, one could only wonder about what could have made the man/the poet/the artist "who on realizing his humanity discovers himself in nature" at first, before proceeding to "probe his own illustrated image" - simply "by taking himself to court for passing wind in front of the President". But then the writer provided the answer in the most unexpected place - the back cover, claiming the man/the poet/the artist, "developed a sharper view of conscience and self-correction, therefore "he moved from the temporal notions of being a romantic to the ethically driven in volume"...ah!

...fascinating and easy to read, but hard to put down as one of those books.