I've gotta admit. This book was a little long for me. But it was so good. I would call myself a casual reader. I like to read, but I don't spend a lot of time on it. I also like to finish things that I start, so I don't like a book takes more of my life than I want to give. This book was worth it, though. In fact, I will definitely have to refer back to it and reread sections. I didn't put much of anything into practice while reading this book, but there are many things I would like to try/commit myself to.
You may have heard of Michael Yankoski or adventure as a homeless person. He wrote a book several years ago about that experience called Under the Overpass. I don't want to spend time on that book, though. The book I just finished reading is The Sacred Year. The basis of the book is the author found himself caught up in Christian celebrity and found himself lacking depth in life, relationships, etc. He began his "sacred year" by spending a week at a monastery.
From that point he records various experiences, in a somewhat random, yet cohesive manner. He draws from the wisdom of others and has the self-discipline to do things that, while simple, are very difficult, such as contemplating an apple for an hour or living in a cave for a week.
The insight he draws from his various experiences offer profound lessons. Michael Yankoski is able to present the lessons in a way that is not preachy or coercive. He tells of his experiences not in a way that says, "You must do these things to," but in a way that allows us to learn from his trial and sometimes error.
If you haven't already noticed, I really appreciate this book. It is in many ways the antithesis to our face-paced money-loving culture, a siren enticing the reader to slow down and contemplate the important things in life and appreciate the complexity of the simple. I would recommend it to just about everybody.
I also appreciate BookLook Bloggers for giving me this book free for review.
