|
Paula Huston has much in common with Kathleen Norris and Henri Nouwen,
two major stars in the constellation of contemporary writers on the
spiritual journey. That's good company for Huston and good news for
us. At least on the evidence of The Holy Way: Practices for a Simple
Life, Huston appears to have the insight and originality to make her own
important contribution as a credible witness to what happens when God is
chosen as the center of one's life. (America: The National Catholic
Weekly, March 1, 2004. Review by Doris Donnelly, professor of theology
and director of the Cardinal Suenens Center)
Can we buy what we truly wish for? Are our
heart’s desires for sale? Not according to Paula
Huston, whose personal narrative, The Holy Way,
suggests we take time out to consider the societal
pressures surrounding us and make the conscious
choice for a simpler, more spiritually connected
life. . . . Step by step, Huston takes her readers
with her as she explores age-old ways of living
simply and consciously by following the practices
of Catholic monasticism . . . . These behaviors
may seem archaic but can be instrumental in
showing us how to pare back the busyness of 21st
century life. . . . With honesty and an open-armed
embrace of her own fallibility, Huston pulls
readers in, showing how odd and downright contrary
it can feel to engage in a monastic discipline—and
yet how fulfilling. The Holy Way is a good
reminder, amid the chaotic demands of the modern
world, of the reasons to simplify our lives and
quiet our inner selves (Los Angeles Times,
December 27, 2003)
This spiritual autobiography partakes of an
ancient and honored literary genre. Ms. Huston
tells of her journey . . . with a decided
preference for the Christian tradition that values
renunciation, retreat, and interior formation. By
all appearances, her life as a wife, mother,
homemaker, author, and professor was happy and
successful, even if shadowed by an angry
agnosticism. But she came to see that life as
self-sufficient, self-asserting and self-centered.
She found a way forward through the ministry of
the New Camaldoli hermitage in Big Sur, California.
Through retreats, readings, and relentless
searching, she "discovered" such
practices as solitude, silence, celibacy and
service. In 11 well-written and perceptive
chapters, she discusses these practices,
illuminating each with her own experience and the
witness of such saints as Pachomius, Anthony,
Bernard, and Catherine of Siena. . . . Music, art,
and a few Protestant resources would have helped
this very good book reach an even larger public in
dire need of her wisdom. (Dwight L. Moody,
"Reviewer’s Choice," The Dallas
Morning News, January 16, 2004)
"A wonderful synthesis of
self-reflection and monastic learning, of
conscience and character formation. The Holy
Way is simply one of the best applications of
the lives of the saints to contemporary experience
that I have ever read."—Robert Inchausti,
author, Thomas Merton’s American Prophecy
and Seeds.
"Spirituality written with the grace and
personal vividness of a novelist, with
down-to-earth practicality. This book will give
solace and guidance to those who have felt the
interior call to simplicity, the intense
gravitational pull of the God within."—Fr.
Bruno Barnhart, Camaldolese monk and author, Second
Simplicity.
The clutter of our everyday life, the cacophony
assaulting our senses on a daily basis, spiritual
aridity if not vacuity are reasons enough to buy and
read this new book. The Holy Way is a solid,
engaging, practical and motivating book that provides
specific means—applicable for all of us—to
simplifying our life. . . .The book draws generously
from the examples of the Desert Fathers, monastics and
saints—including Catherine of Siena, Ignatius of
Loyola, Francis of Assisi, Augustine and Aelred of
Rievaulx, as well as contemporary writers and
Scripture. Additionally, and this is a strength of the
book, are the author’s personal, autobiographical
experiences and lessons that are often brutally
honest; above all, this gives [The Holy Way]
continuity and a contemporary sensibility. . . Books
about the spiritual life, about prayer and meditation
and about "the simple life" fill many
shelves in bookstores across the land. Some of these
are helpful resources. Some are not. But one thing is
certain, The Holy Way stands apart. It is no
quick fix and no quick read. It is a book that you’ll
keep for a long, long time. (America: The National
Catholic Weekly—Catholic Book Club book of the
month). For entire review, click on
http://www.americamagazine.org/cbc.cfm)
"Paula Huston’s The Holy Way
illustrates beautifully through her personal story
how the life of simplicity is a life of
conversion, a life-long process that is about
letting God rearrange your whole self. Huston
embarks on this simple path with the reader in
tow, leading, but also herself a pilgrim, learning
from the saints and from the deep Christian
ascetical tradition."—Fr. Murray Bodo,
O.F.M., author, The Way of St. Francis: the
Challenge of Franciscan Spirituality for Everyone
and Landscape of Prayer.
"Written with remarkable courage and
clarity, this work traces a personal spiritual
journey immensely enriched by deep prayer and
insight, and the careful study of a range of
spiritual classics. Paula Huston is a professional
woman, a wife and mother who in the ‘creative
complexity’ of her own life has discovered ‘blessed
simplicity.’ Whoever reads these pages slowly,
meditatively and prayerfully will undoubtedly be
helped on their own way towards personal
integration and union with God."—Fr. Robert
Hale, O.S.B. Cam, monk and author, Love On the
Mountain; professor of spirituality, Graduate
Theological Union.
"Using the
Christian tradition of solitude, silence, and
contemplation as her foundation, Huston offers one of the
best books available on living the simple life. Voluntary
simplicity may sound like an enormous personal
sacrifice--downscaling material purchases, unplugging the
phone, turning off the TV and pursuing meaningful work
instead of high-income drudgery. But according to Huston,
the payoff is so enormous that it's hard to understand why
anyone wouldn't jump on the bandwagon. In each chapter,
Huston offers healthy doses of self-disclosure, giving
readers the sense that if she can make these small, yet
profound, steps toward a simpler life, anyone can. Each
chapter includes an inspirational story about a saint as
well as just the right seasonings of scripture. This
excellent guidebook will motivate many readers to take at
least one small step toward living a simpler life." (Nov.)
Publishers Weekly, Sept. 15, 2003 (Starred Review).
"Eloquently intuited and elegantly
crafted, Paula Huston’s weaving of autobiography
and principles of Christian spirituality is a
delight. Here is real spiritual nourishment for
contemporary Christian women and men. We can all
be grateful for her obvious gifts and profound
sharing."—Peter-Damian Belisle, editor and
co-author of The Privilege of Love: Camaldolese
Benedictine Spirituality.
|
