Reddit reviews The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life
We found 13 Reddit comments about The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life. Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
Great product!
It's not a classic, but it's an enjoyable read nonetheless (and a little lighter than some of these titles): The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life, by Fr. James Martin, S.J.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0061432695/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1414030524&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40
We all have our short-comings and limitation. Also we have our uniqueness. We must look at things that we do right. Where we have a flow. We must seek knowledge and wisdom. Philosophy. These things makes us better. Rather they reveal the best parts of us.
Here are some books that have helped me:
Here are some things I have saved that I read on and off
"What you need now to do is, to check how much you are on the feeling level and how much on the thought level. Most are, and naturally, on the thought level because that is our comfort zone. We have to act on that level. It is the functional level. We need it to study, operate, plan, achieve and so many other things like research, analysis, But we need the feeling level to relate to others. Sadly this is much neglected and we use our thought level to deal with others. we are not in touch with our feelings. To be a sensitive person we need our feelings. We will even rationalize away our feelings. So this is the beginning. "
"Feed your head." -Grace Slick
Where you are headed is more important than how fast you're going, yet people are consumed with speed rather than direction.
Concentrate every minute on doing what's in front of you with precise and genuine seriousness, tenderly, willingly, with justice. And on freeing yourself from all other distractions. Yes, you can, if you do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you, stop being hypocritical, self-centered, irritable. You see how few things you have to do to live a satisfying and reverent life? If you can manage this, that's all even the gods can ask of you.
-- Marcus Aurelius
Check /r/Stoicism or r/meditation
The bad things, don't do them.
The good things, try to do them.
Try to purify, subdue your mind.
That is teaching of all buddhas.
"If you are becoming a more patient, kinder, and less violent person, you are truly learning life's lessons."
Be a Wanderer and find the inner master that lies dormant within you.
First of all, God has given us guidance which we can rely on, in the teachings of the Church. If it is something that is covered by a church teaching (like "don't murder people" or "do go to Mass on Sundays", to pick on some super obvious examples), then do not expect to get explicit guidance from God to back it up, we're already supposed to know what to do in that kind of situation. If we have not been well-catechized we should work to educate ourselves on this stuff (people here are very helpful with that.) If we are not sure what to do, he has also given us other faithful Catholics to seek advice from, which we should sometimes consider (sometimes people make a throwaway account here if it's a really personal question).
Any easy choice where we are choosing between "something sinful" and "something that is not sinful" falls into this first category, when we know that the thing is sinful or not... God will probably not give us special guidance to say "that thing I told you not to do? yep, don't do it" since among other things he would like us to practice humility and obedience.
Second, some of the time we're basically choosing between "chocolate ice cream or vanilla ice cream?" or "should I see the new Marvel movie or the new DC movie?", which is something we don't need guidance on. So for trivial choices that are basically equal (neither is sinful), we should also not expect to get explicit guidance.
Third, there is some stuff where we need to make a decision, and it matters what decision we make, and it's not immediately clear that the church has already told us what to do. This is where you would practice discernment. St. Ignatius of Loyola (who was originally a soldier and is a very, very practical guy) has some pro tips for that. You can read more about that online at sites that cover Ignatian spirituality or you can have a look at https://www.amazon.com/Discerning-Will-God-Ignatian-Christian/dp/0824524896 (or if you want something that is more pop-culture and doesn't even assume the reader is a Christian, https://www.amazon.com/Jesuit-Guide-Almost-Everything-Spirituality/dp/0061432695 ).
I would recommend this book. I hope you find a community, religious or otherwise that you find fulfilling.
The Jesuits Guide To (Almost) Everything by Fr. James Martin, S.J.
I'd throw in Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything by Fr. James Martin. My fiance and I both found it useful as I was returning to the faith and she was joining it. It's a well-written, lighter introduction to Jesuit spirituality.
You don't have to be religious to read and enjoy this either: "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything." I really liked the bit on the Examens and living simply - which is pretty much the bulk of the book.
I would start with this book, I found it to be both funny and spiritually enriching. http://www.amazon.ca/The-Jesuit-Guide-Almost-Everything/dp/0061432695
Thanks! Will check it out. I was reading The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life and it has lots of gems. Specifically the part of contemplation and using your imagination to see life of Jesus. As a friend. The paradigm shifts were amazing to say the least. Stoicism too has some good stuff.
One of the most important things to remember is the God meets us where we are, as long as we're open to Him and we take even the smallest step.
You've probably heard the story of the Prodigal Son. Consider this line, which is easy to overlook:
> So he set off and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him. - Luke 15:20
The Father ran out to the son while the son was still far off. His Father met him where he was, and afterwards they headed home together.
I can't tell you for sure what path you'll take home, or even how long it will take you to get there. The Prodigal Son story doesn't go into that level of detail. That mustn't have been so important.
I will take a stab at answering your questions...
> Do I have to go to church?
This is really important to me. The sense of community helps me a lot. I think you'll find it helps you, when you're ready and in the right place.
> How do I pray, do I pray out loud or do I do it silently? Where do I pray?
Where and how God moves you to pray. This will develop over time as you grow in faith. This and this are two of my favorite books on the topic.
> Also, I'm gay, does God still love me?
I know this one: "Yes"
I would not rely on "Catholic Answers." Others may differ, but I find it more chastening than illuminating.
There's an old book floating around called, "Why Do Catholics Do That"? which might serve as a starting point for the curious.
https://www.amazon.com/Why-Do-Catholics-That/dp/0345397266
For people who are merely taunting and do not really want an answer, there's no harm in stating your observation, i.e., "It sounds like you already have made up your mind. If you want to understand more, let me know, and we can make time for a discussion." (In the interim, study up!)
I also find James Martin's book a gem, as he is so accessible and yet accurate at the same time:
https://www.amazon.com/Jesuit-Guide-Almost-Everything-Spirituality/dp/0061432695
It may be helpful to read up on the process of Discernment. I'm sure there are good guides on the internet, and I think the methods outlined in The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything, which is excellent on a number of levels, are very helpful and very easy for a beginner to grasp.