Product Description

After losing his wife in childbirth, young American James Robertson visits spiritual director, Peter Calvay, who lives in the Outer Hebrides. At first James learns how to pray and how to meditate. Then when Peter is lost at sea, James finds details of Peter's own spiritual journey that inspires James to deepen his own spiritual life. As well as practical advice on prayer this part describes the deeply human story of the young woman with whom Peter falls deeply in love. Eventually Peter is found alive and the two men meet on the mainland at Peter s mother's funeral. Peter uses the teachings of the Cloud of Unknowing, St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila as well as the paradigm of his own parent's love for each other to explain the mystic life. Deeply moving lessons are drawn for those committed to paths that can lead to the fullest possible experience of love here on earth.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #14538 in Books
• Published on: 2008-08-28
• Format: Unabridged
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Review
If this book ends up on the shelf next to Introduction to the Devout Life, they will be in fitting company. --David McLaurin, winner of the Daily Express Book of the Year Award for his novel Bishop of San Fernando

David Torkington writes about prayer, the true deep prayer of the heart that surrenders us to the Father of Jesus. So simply expressed, so colloquial, that we understand the total love of God as the essential act of being human. Their seriousness is that of Jesus himself, a matter of the inner spirit and not that of the outer casing. --Sr. Wendy Beckett, Mount Carmel

A thought-and-action-for-prayer packed trilogy from English author and retreat master David Torkington -- it deals with the experience of being rooted in the great spiritual traditions of the Church in a way that will enrich life in any century. By itself, it may just bring back the written word, at least in terms of spirituality. Filled with insights into spiritual growth and the options for meeting God in daily prayer time. --Crux of the News

Review
Torkington's views on prayer and spirituality are based on the thoughts of the Desert Fathers, Dom John Chapman, Bernard Basset, SJ, St. Augustine, Martin Buber and others. Torkington is a master of prayer. His engrossing style masks the depth of his practical advice and specifics about many forms of prayer from the traditional to the new.

Review
David Torkington's book has the format and flow of a novel but the impact of a work of deep mysticism. The story itself is intriguing, and includes a genuine 'Blue-Print for Prayer' (and an explanation of how best to use it) that is powerfully practical. This little book can revolutionize the way you pray. To get better at doing 'the most important thing' in your life, we recommend you read this book."

Customer Reviews

A Book Launching
I was initially annoyed when I received an unsolicited invitation to a book launch through the post for `Wisdom from the Western Isles', especially as I live in Scotland and the launch was to be in Southampton. However when I saw that the principal speaker at the launch was the distinguished historian Christopher Lee, the author of `This Sceptred Isle'. I decided that it must be something out of the ordinary for a spiritual book. I wasn't wrong; this book describes profound truths in simple language. I found myself seeing new depths in the ordinary and will be reading it again to see what else will emerge. This book can change your life. I'm about to re-read it to see how it will change mine. It's like having your eyes opened to what has always been there. If any book is a `must read', then this is it, if it's the only book you ever read.

Wisdom from theWestern Isles
My husband and I have both agreed to print our feelings about this book even though it means going public in the hope that it will do for others what it has done for us. Our marriage was about to break down irrevocably when my sister urged us to read `Wisdom from the Western Isles'. It explained to both of us perfectly the dynamics of what had been a widening gulf that seemed to be separating us from one another. The book explained in such a profound way that what we thought was a gulf was in fact a call to a deeper, loving union that has brought us together as never before. We both feel that if in going public we both lose our anonymity, this is a price that we are both willing to pay with all our hearts if it will encourage others to read and have their lives changed irrevocably by this `spiritual masterpiece'How to Pray: A Practical Guide

Wisdom from the Western Isles
Wisdom from the Western Isles: The Making of a Mystic

I was recommended to read `Wisdom from the Western Isles' by a friend, who simply raved about it. I wasn't disappointed. I have never read anything quite like it before. What I can't get over is, that in the context of a fast moving novel full of fascinating stories, intrigue and romance spiced with humour, I was introduced to such sublime spirituality. What is so remarkable is that I know it will inspire other Christians too whether they regularly go to church or whether, like me, they don't. What I so liked about this book was that it concentrates on detailing the profound spirituality of the early Christian Community, where all Christians of every denomination find themselves as one, and on the great Christian Mystics, who have been able to see and live out this ancient tradition in every age. If reading it turned out to be something of a `Damascus Road Experience' for a sceptic like me, I am sure it will do the same for many others too. I give it a five a star plus rating!