The Spirit of Simplicity
by Jean-Baptiste Chautard
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Pub Date Nov 10 2017 | Archive Date Nov 30 2017
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Description
Every generation struggles with the question of simplicity. In the history of our faith, there have been no more eloquent voices calling us back to simplicity than the monks of the Cistercian Order, from Bernard of Clairvaux to Chautard to Merton—all of whom contribute to this powerful book.
Merton surrounds Chautard’s text with his own remarks on simplicity, translations of classic texts by St. Bernard of Clairvaux, and commentary that allows readers to pursue the themes of simplicity in their own lives.
"Only a very inadequate idea of exterior simplicity can be arrived at if we do not trace it back to its true source: interior simplicity. Without this, our resolution to practice exterior simplicity would be without light, without love …," Chautard wrote at the beginning of the book. He is writing to his fellow Cistercians, but he might as well be speaking to twenty-first century Christians. He goes on to lay out the best disciplines that a monk—or anyone—might practice to find the elusive simplicity, with quotations from St. Benedict, St. Bernard, and other pillars of monastic life and spirituality. A dozen photographs of Cistercian architecture illustrate how principles of simplicity are incorporated into Cistercian daily life.
In Part 2, Merton opens up the teachings of St. Bernard, a great mystic and doctor of the Church, offering excerpts from St. Bernard’s writings on the original simplicity in the Garden of Eden, the difficulty of intellectual simplicity, the simplicity of the will (obedience), and other kindred topics. Merton also offers personal reflections from the perspective of one who had recently exchanged an active life in pursuit of worldly things for the solitude of a monk.
A Note From the Publisher
Thomas Merton (1915–1968) is widely acclaimed as one of the most influential spiritual masters of the twentieth century. A Trappist monk of the Abbey of Gethsemani, Kentucky, he was a poet, social activist, and student of comparative religion. In 1949, he was ordained to the priesthood and given the name Fr. Louis. Merton wrote more than seventy books, mostly on spirituality, social justice, and a quiet pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews, including his best-selling autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain.
Advance Praise
“Well over a half-century old, The Spirit of Simplicity is a remarkably approachable text, and it is still able to serve its original purpose as an entryway into Cistercian spirituality. Together with selections from St. Bernard’s works, it remains a kind of classic Cistercian Life 101.”
From the preface by Abbot Elias Dietz, O.C.S.O.
The Abbey of Gethsemani
“This is a treasure of monastic spirituality that brings together the hearts, minds, and insights of two of the greatest Trappist authors of the modern era: Jean-Baptiste Chautard and Thomas Merton.”
Rev. Daniel P. Horan, O.F.M.
Author of The Franciscan Heart of Thomas Merton
“The Spirit of Simplicity mines a cornerstone of Cistercian spirituality, a return to an original minimalism in The Rule of Saint Benedict that is at once moral and aesthetic. A monastic architecture devoid of embellishments mirrors the interior work of seeking direct union with God. The early-twentieth-century elder Jean-Baptiste Chautard and a young Thomas Merton flesh out the implications for a contemplative life centered on attending to the grace of simply recognizing the ‘gaze of God’ within all one's experiences. Abbot Elias Dietz places these classic essays in their context and provides contemporary resources for further study and practical application.”
Jonathan Montaldo
General editor of the Fons Vitae Thomas Merton Series
“We need simplicity now more than ever. This lost classic of Trappist spirituality unites the voices of two of the great Catholic writers of the Twentieth century. It reveals how simplicity is an essential quality of a holy life. While written for monks, it is—like The Rule of Saint Benedict—filled with wisdom for all. Read it slowly and prayerfully.”
Carl McColman
Author of Befriending Silence
"The Spirit of Simplicity was one of Merton's earliest explorations of the Cisterican charism of simplicity, a subject to which he would return often. In our present age of violence, technological upheaval, and ecological vulnerability it remains eloquent and powerful."
Paul M. Pearson
Director of the Thomas Merton Center
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781594717819 |
| PRICE | $15.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 160 |
Featured Reviews
Dave W, Reviewer
Any book with Thomas Mertons name or it is well worth a browse in my opinion anyway. This book although originally a writing aimed at Benedictine Monks is also a good read for anyone searching for a closer walk with GOD. It isn't always a book to while away some time I found it best to read whilst the house or my environment was quiet (not just for in a Abbey ). That was to gain the benefit of it as I wanted to make the most of what this book has to offer, and it has a lot with the added notes from Thomas Merton you can choose to read them or pass them if you just want the original ( translated from Latin).
The title gives you the theme and in a world that is updating and improving all the while and some has been of great benefits but there is so much going on around us that we are so often robbed of the simplicity that has been a gift from GOD to us all. Not that I would choose to not have many of the modern extras, I read this on a kindle (other e readers are available) I can store thousands of book on here so I am never far from my books, or my emails which so often take me away from the peace and into a need to do this mindset. Simplicity is not avoiding the things of life but as you will see in far greater and practical ways focusing on what matters. I have found this book both helpful and very interesting and I do recommend it.
I was given this book free from NetGalley in return for a honest review.
Denis M, Reviewer
This tiny volume contains some key insights into the character of Cistercian spirituality emphasizing both interior and exterior simplicity through reflection on the writings of St. Bernard of Clairvaux. If you have had the opportunity to walk through medieval Cistercian architecture, you will note the starkness of the buildings, the plainness of the windows and clothing and the almost utilitarian nature of the of the everyday environment. The monk (and any person ) trekking on the path of perfection. is admonished to methodically reduce one's dependence on things and emotions. The core of this relationship is "love". Simplicity takes on the character of abandonment that in the end become harmonious with everyday events and circumstances. Although the message may be medieval, its application has many implications.
I received an electronic copy in return for an honest review.
Eva L, Educator
A beautiful book to read slowly and reflect on over time' perfect for the practise of lectio divina. We are all searching for more simplicity in our lives, and this book gives us an opportunity to live that every day.
Paulo Sergio G, Media/Journalist
JEAN-BAPTISTE CHAUTARD WITH THOMAS MERTON: THE SPIRIT OF SIMPLICITY
TRANSLATED AND ANNOTATED BY THOMAS MERTON
In this short yet concise book, Jean-Baptiste Chautard and Thomas Merton speak on the importance of having a simple, humble character and on how this is one of the cornerstone principles to the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance.
“Why read a monk’s book?” the reader may ask. The question seems to make sense if the reader is in no way connected to the life of a monk or even to the Catholic Church. However, one must take into account that the monk, although living in a rather peculiar reality compared to most believers – especially when the monk is a Trappist, like Chautard and Merton are – strives to lead a life of utter abnegation of his own will on behalf of a greater good: God. It’s almost natural that a monk, one who is fully dedicated to seek God at all times, may eventually have something to say about this subject.
Chautard is no exception. The abbot of Sept-Fons, monk of the O. C. S. O. and author of The Soul of the Apostolate was asked to write a work of encouragement to nuns who had recently joined the rigorous monastic order. Chautard’s response was exactly what they needed: The Spirit of Simplicity.
In a short amount of pages, Chautard explains the significance of the rigor and humility so characteristic of the Trappists (another name for O. C. S. O. monks, taken from the Abbey of La Trappe) in their walk with God and in the order’s own identity. He often refers to Cîteaux, the cradle of the original Order of Cister, in his exhortation for a life of simplicity: “The spirit of Cîteaux is a spirit of simplicity: that means, a spirit of sincerity, of truth.” Chautard also refers to the examples of Bernard of Clairvaux and Benedict of Nursia, role models of a humble life devoted to God; he also constantly mentions documents that were essential to form and maintain a monastic life around the concept of simplicity such as the Exordium Parvum (“Little Exordium”), which he seems to attribute its authorship to Stephen Harding, another Cistercian monk.
To Chautard, simplicity is the key to a life according to God’s will. By addressing the customs of the original Cistercian monastic rule, Chautard points out the way in which humility and frugality are necessary for us to better understand our own condition before God. The monk defends that simplicity must come from within our hearts before it produces any outward effect: “Love is the power that realizes unity in the soul, and then it makes the soul one same spirit with God.”
Thomas Merton complements Chautard’s work with his analysis, providing numerous quotes and excerpts from Bernard of Clairvaux so that we may better understand the reasoning of the Abbot of Sept-Fons. From the writings of St. Bernard, Merton states that simplicity is a fundamental feature of the believer resulting from God’s will overpowering our own self-will. The ultimate goal of a humble life of abstinence is the union with God, something that remains dependent of the Lord’s grace, but to which we are prepared to receive when the spirit of simplicity lives in us.
In this world ever more focused on consuming and on personal interests, The Spirit of Simplicity remains up-to-date even after ninety years, ever since Chautard first wrote it. The work is a breath of fresh air that challenges us to redirect our goals and to adopt a lifestyle that gets us closer to God’s nature.
Originaly Published at:
Biblion Online Magazine (PT): http://www.biblion.pt/o-espirito-de-simplicidade-jean-baptiste-chautard-thomas-merton/
Biblion Online Magazine (EN): http://www.biblion.pt/jean-baptiste-chautard-with-thomas-merton-the-spirit-of-simplicity/
Biblion #6 Interactive Edition (Nov-Dec2017 – Portuguese): http://www.biblion.pt/biblion-6-interativa-pt/
Biblion #6 Interactive Edition (Nov-Dec2017 – English version): http://www.biblion.pt/biblion-6-interactive-edition-en/
BiblionApp (iOS and Android) – Portuguese-only: http://biblionapp.mobapp.at/
Effective: November 1st, 2017
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