Erik Varden Bücher

Unsere Identitat als Christen nahrt sich aus der Erinnerung. An wichtigen Stellen scharfen die Bibel und die Liturgie der Kirche ein, sich zu Gedenke, dass du Staub bist! Tut dies zu meinem Gedachtnis! In seinem Buch legt Erik Varden, ehemaliger Trappisten-Abt in England und Bischof von Trondheim, diese biblischen Aufforderungen aus und zieht verbluffende und beeindruckende Verbindungslinien zu Texten und Erfahrungen moderner Dichter und Musiker. So werden etwa Mahlers Auferstehungssinfonie oder die beruhrende Geschichte einer franzosischen REsistance-Kampferin zu einem Schlussel zum Verstandnis von Vergebung, Glaube, ewigem Leben. Erfahrungsgesattigt und in einer existenziellen Tiefe erinnert Bischof Varden den Leser an sein 'Heimweh nach Herrlichkeit', das das Leben aus der Fulle Gottes auslost und stillt.

In this follow-up to his critically acclaimed book The Shattering of Loneliness, Erik Varden provides a glimpse of the value of a monastic life and a Christian calling in our troubled modern age."Be whole and so be happy."--St. Bernard, founder of the Cistercian orderIn the aftermath of a pandemic and the midst of political upheaval, Erik Varden has observed a growing interest in the monastic life – even among those who have no intention of entering a monastery. For in times of anguish and uncertainty, basic principles of monastic life have become particularly appealing.Varden, Trappist monk and now Bishop, invites us to observe and learn from monastic life in our turbulent times. After a very personal introduction, he follows the Church year and seasons, always inspired by scriptural reading. The values he highlights tranquility; seeking peace; obedience; personal integrity; not continually passing judgement on others; asceticism as opposed to self-indulgence; the importance of generous hospitality; balance; and a life ordered to contemplation.The teachings within the monastery offer simple, valuable lessons for readers of all creeds struggling to keep faith in an uncertain world.

At a time when religion is in decline in the Western world and when it often seems that the senses have run riot, Erik Varden shows that chastity, the single minded direction of the senses, is a loveable quality and one that affects and beautifies humankind. The word 'chastity', at first sight, may seem intimidating, something to be dismissed out of hand. It is, however, something very different to celibacy. At a time when religion is in decline in the Western world and when it often seems that the senses have run riot, Erik Varden shows that chastity, the single minded direction of the senses, is a loveable quality and one that affects and beautifies humankind. The terms sexuality and wholeness indicate that to be sexual is to exist in a state of incompleteness longing to be restored. Wholeness points to a healing embrace that we desire so greatly. In Biblical language, chastity is a function of simplicity of sight. We are no longer torn apart by our passions and our desires, indeed they may reach their fulfilment. Body and spirit, male and female, order and disorder, passion and death can move from creative tension to a new kind of wholeness. Varden's text is enriched by a wide range of references to scripture, literature, music, painting and sculpture.

Originally presented as the author's thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Cambridge, 2000.

Ta książka jest pocieszeniem i zapewnieniem, że życie ludzkie, wbrew temu, co często słyszymy, nie oznacza: „jesteś skazany na samotność”. Przeciwnie, chrześcijaństwo to droga powrotu do komunii z Tym, który pamięta o nas od zawsze i nieustannie – i nie godzi się na naszą samotność. Erik Varden OCSO z wielką erudycją, a jednocześnie z delikatnością, analizuje kondycję człowieka, w centrum stawiając „pamiętanie”. Przywołuje historie z Biblii, by uzmysłowić nam, że celem ludzkich zmagań jest niebo – i że nie jesteśmy na naszej drodze sami.