Love is Stronger than Death: The Mystical Union of Two Souls

by Cynthia Bourgeault, David Steindl-Rast (Foreword by)

Overview

"Ablaze with passion for the one essential task of the monk: total inner transformation". —Brother David Stendl-Rast

"Libraries offering titles on mysticism, inner transformation, or dealing with grief will find this a unique and welcome addition."—Library Journal

This powerful book, written by an Episcopal priest, tells of her intense relationship with Brother Raphael Robin, a seventy-year-old Trappist monk and hermit. Both believed that a relationship can continue beyond this life, and here Cynthia Bourgeault describes her search for that connection before and after Robin's death. Bourgeault's previous books include The Wisdom Jesus and Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781939681355
Publisher:	Monkfish Book Publishing Company
Publication date:	12/30/2014
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	248
Sales rank:	1,001,363
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Modern day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader, Cynthia Bourgeault divides her time between solitude at her seaside hermitage in Maine, and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative and Wisdom path. She is the founding Director of both The Contemplative Society and the Aspen Wisdom School.

Cynthia is the author of eight books: The Holy Trinity and the Law of Three, The Meaning of Mary Magdalene, The Wisdom Jesus, Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening, Mystical Hope, The Wisdom Way of Knowing, Chanting the Psalms, and Love is Stronger Than Death. She has also authored or contributed to numerous articles and courses on the Christian spiritual life. She is a past Fellow of the Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural research at St. John's Abbey in Collegeville, MN, and an oblate of New Camaldoli Monastery in Big Sur, California.

Cynthia continues to contribute to The Contemplative Society in her role as Principal Teacher and advisor. She passionately promotes the practice of Centering Prayer, and has worked closely with Thomas Keating, Bruno Barnhart, Richard Rohr, as well as many other contemplative teachers and leaders within the Christian tradition as well as other spiritual paths.

Table of Contents

In Gratitude ix

Foreword Brother Steindl-Rast, OSB xi

Preface to the Fourth Edition xv

Part 1 Meeting in the Body of Hope

Chapter 1 From Here to Eternity 1

Chapter 2 The Road Not Taken 9

Chapter 3 The Mystical Completion of Souls 15

Part 2 How We Worked Together

Chapter 4 The Compass Rose 31

Chapter 5 The East Lesson 33

Chapter 6 The North Lesson 41

Chapter 7 The South Lesson 45

Chapter 8 The West Lesson 53

Chapter 9 Wrestling with an Angel 59

Part 3 Walking the Walk

Chapter 10 The Body of Hope 69

Chapter 11 Building Second Body 85

Chapter 12 Rafe After Death 97

Chapter 13 Do the Dead Grow? 109

Chapter 14 Essence and Majesty 115

Chapter 15 The Abler Soul 123

Chapter 16 The Vow 135

Chapter 17 Love and Death 145

Chapter 18 Working in the Wonders 149

Chapter 19 The Mystery of Christ 159

Epilogue: A Wedding Sermon 171

Notes

The Books We Used 177

Further Reflections on the Body of Christ 182

A Note on Reincarnation 187

A Note on Sexuality 191

Chapter Notes 194

Afterword 205

Index 209