We Walk the Path Together: Learning from Thich Nhat Hanh and Meister Eckhart: Leaning from Thich Nhat Hanh and Meister Eckhart Mar 4, 2015
by Brian J. Pierce ( 19 ) AUD 14.26
Through reflections on the Vietnamese Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the medieval Christian mystic, Meister Eckhart, writer Brian Pierce reveals the benefits of openness as a spiritual practice.
By drawing analogies between Christian and Buddhist teachings, he identifies the common ground on which to grow in compassionate understanding and interfaith dialogue.
Blending Christian tradition with the concrete spiritual practices of Buddhism, this work emphasizes the importance of seeing with a contemplative and compassionate vision.
Blending Christian tradition with the concrete spiritual practices of Buddhism, this work emphasizes the importance of seeing with a contemplative and compassionate vision.
By sharing accounts of individuals who transcended their own suffering to embrace a more compassionate and understanding view of others, Pierce celebrates the moments of harmonious communion that draw us together.
This beautifully written book is a model for respectful listening and a spiritual resource for prayerful meditation and scholarly study.
This beautifully written book is a model for respectful listening and a spiritual resource for prayerful meditation and scholarly study.
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We Walk the Path Together
Learning from Thich Nhat Hanh and Meister Eckhart
By Brian Pierce
Lifts up and celebrates the common ideas and spiritual practices of the contemporary Zen master and the medieval Christian mystic.
Book Review by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Brian J. Pierce, a Dominican friar, serves as Promoter of the Dominican Family in Latin America and the Caribbean in Lima, Peru. In this thought-provoking and soul-stretching paperback, he examines in depth the spiritual teachings and practices of the Vietnamese Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh and the medieval Christian mystic Meister Eckhart.
Between them, he finds much common ground. Those who believe in multifaith explorations will be fascinated by the author's insights into the art of dialogue, mindfulness and the eternal now, the breath of the Holy Spirit, the water and the waves, suffering, compassion born of suffering and love in full bloom.
Thich Nhat Hanh and Meister Eckhart give us a model for abundant and attentive living.
They also reveal the benefits of openness as a spiritual practice:
"Dialogue is a mutual giving and receiving, a sharing of our respective insights into the music of the Great Mystery. It is an opening up of ourselves to the unique gift of the other. What would the world be like today if the world religions were truly committed to this kind of sacred exchange? Do we dare dream of the day when the world conflicts will be solved through mutual sharing of our spiritual riches, a commitment to discern together the music that unites us? What would the city of Jerusalem look like today if Jews, Christians and Muslims gathered each morning for a three-way sharing of sacred music and chant?"
Many Buddhists have been able to use Thich Nhat Hanh's practice of interbeing to sense their intimate connections with others, including their enemies,. But this practice is still very difficult for many Christians raised in the West, where separation and independence are valued very highly.
Pierce finds in the vision of St. Paul a way into interbeing: "It was the presence of the living body of Christ — hidden in the collective body of the disciples — that transformed Paul's life.
It was an experience of nonduality, of interbeing. Paul realized that Jesus is not just Jesus. For Paul, we are Jesus, too. We are the body of the living Christ.
To cut down a rain forest in Brazil out of greed is to cut down the body of Christ. To execute a criminal, no matter how guilty he or she may be, is to execute Christ.
That is why Mother of Teresa of Calcutta, this time responding to a reporter's question after visiting San Quentin prison, remarked, 'What you do to these men, you do to God." She knew that the men condemned to death were as filled with God as anyone else. They too are the body of Christ." There is no better time than the present for Christians to understand and put into practice the body of Christ.
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We Walk the Path Together: Learning from Thich Nhat Hanh and Meister Eckhart: Leaning from Thich Nhat Hanh and Meister Eckhart
by Brian J. Pierce (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.8 out of 5 stars 19 ratings
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from AUD 14.26
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Through reflections on the Vietnamese Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the medieval Christian mystic, Meister Eckhart, writer Brian Pierce reveals the benefits of openness as a spiritual practice. By drawing analogies between Christian and Buddhist teachings, he identifies the common ground on which to grow in compassionate understanding and interfaith dialogue.
Blending Christian tradition with the concrete spiritual practices of Buddhism, this work emphasizes the importance of seeing with a contemplative and compassionate vision. By sharing accounts of individuals who transcended their own suffering to embrace a more compassionate and understanding view of others, Pierce celebrates the moments of harmonious communion that draw us together.
This beautifully written book is a model for respectful listening and a spiritual resource for prayerful meditation and scholarly study.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"... recommended to those who are intentional about their spiritual journey. The book is easy to read and deeply moving, because the book touches the core of our being." --Buddhist-Christian Studies --This text refers to the paperback edition.
Top reviews from the United States
Gregory DiSalvio
5.0 out of 5 stars Come Together
Reviewed in the United States on March 25, 2019
This is an important Spiritual work. Catholic in perspective and open minded in scope this book outlines how closely related sound Spiritual principles are. When we still our minds we can hear that which we never thought we could.
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Mary Ann, OP
5.0 out of 5 stars Plunging Into Two Worlds
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2014
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This book more than lives up to the reviews that I read about in various publications.
The author clearly develops those beliefs held in common between Christianity and Buddhism as well as the distinct differences. He does this through the lens of the Dominican mystic Meister Eckhart and the lens of Thich Nhat Hanh.
I am able to feel at home in both worlds even though I am definitely a Christian.
2 people found this helpful
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Ohio John
5.0 out of 5 stars East and West are Bridged
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2013
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Brian Pierce bridges east and west thinking on Christ consciousness/Buddha awakening that we are so gifted to have available to us. The bridge Pierce builds stretches from the historical writings and experiences of Catholic Christian Meister Eckhart of the 14th. century and Buddhist Thich Nhat Hanh of recent times. Comparing the writings and teaching of both these spiritual leaders the reader is confronted and then nurtured through a process that takes them on a journey over a bridge leading to the reality of a mystical kinship that both religious traditions share - a oneness in Awakening and communion of Spirit.
One person found this helpful
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Sister Adrienne Colson,OP
5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding. It is worth a second and third reading ...
Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2015
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Outstanding.It is worth a second and third reading.
I understand after talking with Father Brian,he will have
A new book out sometime next year.
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars a book for the journey
Reviewed in the United States on October 9, 2013
this book covers the elements essential for matuirity of faith. it integrates spirituality and the human dimension of life as one.;. I didn't just read this book...I lived into the reading and rereading....wonderful.
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Angela Garossino
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
insightful and rich
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Roy
4.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent introduction for Christians to Thich Nhat Hanh
Reviewed in the United States on June 21, 2012
I was impressed by Pierce's comprehensive knowledge of Thich Nhat Hanh teachings and equally as well his first hand experience with the monastics in that tradition. He presents and represents many essential teachings of Thay(Thich Nhat Hanh) and relates them beautifully to Christianity.
While the book is full of quotes, poems, and references, it is written with a manner from the heart; I think it would make an excellent comprehensive introduction for any person with a Christian background into the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh without being overwhelmed by the unfamiliarity of Buddhist terminologies or beliefs.
I highly recommend this book.
4 people found this helpful
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Heike Hildebrand
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best spiritual books I ever read
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2011
'We Walk the Path Together' by Brian J. Pierce, OP, seems to me being one of the best spiritual books I ever read. The author is very authentical, and he does not only refer to Thitch Nat Hanh, a contemporary, famous Zen Teacher (whom the author personally knows) and Meister Eckhart, the great German Mysthic, born about 1260. He also shares with the reader his own rich experiences of spirituality, religion and mysthicism.
It is a breath taking experience to follow the author on his way through all the subjects he refers to. Not a single moment boring, never seeming abstract, but full of life and deep knowledge.
This book became for me a personal guide to go deeper inside the cave of my own heart, like being leaded by a warm and brotherly hand.
I wish that every serious seeker will get the grace to meet this marvellous book of guidance!
Heike Hilderand
9 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries
AMR
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing insights. I highly recommend it
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 1, 2015
Verified Purchase
This is truly worth reading and digesting. Amazing insights. I highly recommend it.
2 people found this helpful
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Trish Park
5.0 out of 5 stars Grounding Oneself in the Now
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2012
This book is nourishing me in ways I did not expect. The author, whilst of course concentrating on Meister Eckhart and on Thich Nhat Hanh, introduces other voices to enrich the path we are walking in Mindfulness and in Contemplation. Being alert both to Life in the newness of each second and also to our own heart has the possibility of awakening us to real perception.
Here is a lovely scrap of a poem by David Wagoner and quoted by Brian Pierce. You will have to read further to get the rest of it!
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or bush does is lost to you,
You are truly lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
3 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Same as above
Reviewed in Canada on October 13, 2015
Verified Purchase
Challenging, thought provoking and meditative. Great for small group group discussion and sharing
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Patricia
Sep 05, 2015Patricia rated it it was amazing
Shelves: 2015
This challenging book, narrated by a Catholic, explains the intersections of Buddhism and Christian theology, acknowledging the differences and shows great reverence to both traditions. Although some parts were above my head in rhetoric and theology terms I am not versed in, I found much to think about and it deepened my own faith. I know it is a book I will revisit numerous times.
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Mary
Jan 10, 2012Mary rated it liked it
Chosen for a discussion book for my Associates group. This books celebrataes the common spiritual ground shared by Christians and Buddists. Concepts and images made this a powerful book to read and discuss.
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Jesus and the Prodigal Son: The God of Radical Mercy Feb 9, 2016
by Brian J. Pierce, OP
( 13 )
AUD 29.27
Theologian Brian J. Pierce brings a startling perspective to the parable of the Prodigal Son, one of the most beloved stories of scripture. He imagines the parable as a commentary on the story of Jesus himself, who entered the world of suffering and sin to bring the good news of the radical mercy of God: that we are all his beloved children. While shedding new light on the gospel, this imaginative reading bears implications for a church that enters compassionately into the world of those on the margins.
Jesus and the Prodigal Son: The God of Radical Mercy Feb 9, 2016
by Brian J. Pierce, OP
( 13 )
AUD 29.27
Theologian Brian J. Pierce brings a startling perspective to the parable of the Prodigal Son, one of the most beloved stories of scripture. He imagines the parable as a commentary on the story of Jesus himself, who entered the world of suffering and sin to bring the good news of the radical mercy of God: that we are all his beloved children. While shedding new light on the gospel, this imaginative reading bears implications for a church that enters compassionately into the world of those on the margins.
