Diving for Pearls: Exploring the Depths of Prayer with Isaac the Syrian

by Andrew D Mayes

Overview

2022 Catholic Media Association first place award in mysticism

This book invites the reader to a spiritual odyssey. It opens before the reader an itinerary for venturing forth with God, aided by the astonishing writings of seventh-century Isaac the Syrian. Long-lost manuscripts have recently been discovered, translated, and published in scholarly works; this book aims to make them accessible to readers who want to experience their wisdom personally and so progress in a spiritual adventure. Isaac’s writings are explored through the lens of his beloved metaphor of diving for pearls, which opens many avenues for reflection and spiritual practice.

This is a book to inspire preachers and teachers on prayer. It will stimulate and offer a resource to spiritual directors and retreat givers, and it provides material ideally suited to quiet days and retreats. A practical resource, it includes questions for individual or group reflection at the end of every chapter and a range of prayer exercises. Above all, it is offered to those who want to leave the shallows and launch out into the deep in their spiritual journey.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780879075637
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	07/20/2021
Series:	Monastic Wisdom Series , #63
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	184
File size:	527 KB

About the Author

Dr. Andrew Mayes is an international teacher of spirituality. He is currently spirituality adviser to the Anglican Diocese of Chichester in the UK, where he has also served as director of clergy training. He was the course director at St. George's College Jerusalem, and regularly leads courses in the Holy Land. He is the author of six previous books, including the widely-acclaimed Beyond the Edge: Spiritual Transitions for Adventurous Souls.

Table of Contents

Contents
Acknowledgments   vii
Preface   ix
Introduction   1
1. Becoming Explorers   15
2. Quitting the Shoreline   27
3. Learning to Swim   43
4. Risking the Depths   61
5. Facing the Currents   81
6. Embracing Transitions   95
7. Diving Deep   109
8. Homecoming   123
Appendix 1. Biblical Resources   137
Appendix 2. Retreat Resources   155
Bibliography   161


  

Editorial Reviews

"Isaac the Syrian, who lived in the 7th century, is a writer who has the remarkable gift of being able to speak directly and relevantly over the centuries. In this splendidly imaginative presentation, Dr. Andrew Mayes offers an excellent guided tour to different aspects of his teaching on the spiritual life."
Sebastian Brock, Oriental Institute, Oxford University


"The book began with the author's teaching in Bahrain, where for centuries the country's economy was based on pearl fishing. Isaac's pearling imagery resonates with us in our modern and postmodern world with wisdom, freshness, and depth. Canon Andrew Mayes makes the writings of this Gulf saint beautifully accessible for the wider contemporary Church, for both individual reflection and group study."
Christopher Butt, formerly Dean, St. Christopher's Cathedral Bahrain


"The treasures to be found in these pages are many. Mayes's deep thought-provoking 'questions for reflection' and imaginative 'prayer exercises' are suitable for individual readers, an excellent resource for spiritual directors, and helpful for supervision. For retreat leaders there is the gift of outlines for use of this material in quiet day and retreat settings. Dive away!"
Maggie Le-Roy, Retreats Facilitator, Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf


"I was introduced to the works of Isaac the Syrian by Dr. Mayes and this material, and it led me into a deeper experience of prayer and of God that I had ever known before. I come back to exploring and resting in the ocean depths of God time and again, and am enlivened every time I apply Isaac's insights to my prayers. This book invites constant study, and constant application—I am immeasurably richer for it."
Revd. Roy Shaw; Bishop's External Spiritual Director for the Archdeaconry of Cyprus


"In the company of Isaac, and Mayes’s sensitive interpretation of his work, readers are invited to 'quit the shoreline' and be drawn out into the depths where an authentic and honest encounter with God becomes possible."
Cistercian Studies Quarterly

"An interesting and inspiring book."
The Way

From the Publisher