The author discovered that she herself could experience simple living just as a nearby community of Catholic monks did and, more important, that she could find the keys to such a life in the lives and writings of the great monastic saints. Drawing on these discoveries, she examines a variety of measures that point the way toward the practical, day-to-day simplicity of a life that so many desire.

I'm not Catholic, but I am reading this book to learn from the author's observations about her own spiritual search and those of what I call Christian mystics. Rather than reading straight through, I jump around in it and read what strikes me. I read about various practices that encourage reflective and conscious living, such as celibacy, silence, solitude, and physical labor. I admire the author who uses examples of her own un-spiritual behavior that put her in very unflattering lights - it takes courage and a certain amount of spiritual honesty to share like this. These examples are used to illustrate how she found solace and inspiration while on this particular spiritual search. The spiritual leaders she discusses are presented in their full human form, strengths and follies, which gives this reader encouragement to continue forward knowing full well that she is quite imperfect.

As someone who sought romantic love when I was young, I recognized the truth that the search for romantic love is a misguided search for spiritual love. Thomas Moore considers romantic, sensual love as a form of spirituality, and I concur; however, his recognition originated from well-developed and time-test spiritual beliefs and practices - whereas I was looking for love in some of the wrong places. Moore knew who he was before he considered who was going with him.

Yet, this book speaks to me. Sometimes I become impatient with people who write about their searches for spirituality - it's almost annoying to me, and I get bored. This work with its honesty and revelations of Christian spiritual seekers informs my own search. ( )

Paula Huston, almost crazed with her hectic life as a college instructor and a busy mom, sets out to simplify her life and deepen her spirituality, following the lead of great spiritual leaders of the past. I actually gasped out loud when I read the chapter where Huston realizes that the more effort she put into her spirituality, the more judgmental she seemed to be about other people; yep, I saw myself. While I liked some of Huston's ideas for simplifying and spiritualize-ing, I noticed that my mind kept wandering away from the pages of the book. Not sure why. ( )