Biography of Silence: An Essay on Meditation

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A publishing phenomenon in Spain- a moving, lyrical, far-ranging meditation on the deep joys of confronting oneself through silence by a Spanish priest and Zen disciple. With silence increasingly becoming a stranger to us, one man set out to become its intimate- Pablo d'Ors, a Catholic priest whose life was changed by Zen meditation. With disarming honesty and directness, as well as a striking clarity of language, d'Ors shares his struggles as a beginning meditator- the tedium, restlessness, and distraction. But, persevering, the author discovers not only a deep peace and understanding of his true nature, but also that silence, rather than being a retreat from life, offers us an intense engagement with life just as it is. Imbued with a rare beauty, Biography of Silence shows us the deep joy of silence that is available to us all.

Reviews

"In accessible language reminiscent of Thomas Merton, dOrss enchanting book, a bestseller in Spain, channels his Catholic spiritual heritage into a persuasive meditation guide for Western readers." Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Biography of Silence invites us to stop and catch our breath. Each chapter inspires a hunger for the contemplative silence the author has come to love with such contagious affection. The word God is mentioned only a handful of times, but few books have rendered me more vulnerable to a divine encounter. Pablo d'Ors has given us a literary and spiritual gift. Brian D. McLaren, The Great Spiritual Migration

"Biography of Silenceis a poetic yet baldly honest account of what it means to persevere with meditation." Lion's Roar

Author Bio

Born in Madrid in 1963, Pablo d'Ors studied in New York, Vienna, Prague, and Rome. In 1991, he was ordained as a priest and he received a doctorate in Theology in 1996. In 2014, he founded theAmigos del Desierto foundation with the aim of promoting the practice of meditation. In the same year, Pope Francis made him a consultant of the Pontifical Council for Culture.d'Ors debuted as a writer in 2000 with Las Ideas Puras, a novel that was a finalist for the Herralde Prize. He's gone on to publish almost a dozen fiction and nonfiction titles. This is his first English translation. Pablo d'Ors lives in Madrid.