Dwelling in the Wilderness: Modern Monks in the American West

Contemporary monastics prioritize staying put and paying attention, developing a deep connection with and knowledge of the land they inhabit. The monastic life teaches us to move more slowly through the world and may hold a key to responding to the growing ecological crisis. Dwelling in the Wilderness explores how Benedictine Roman Catholic monks in the American West fall in love with their landscapes and how we might do the same.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 07 March 2024
Publisher: Trinity University Press,U.S.

Contemporary monastics offer valuable insights into the concept of establishing roots in a rapidly changing world. While many of us are constantly on the move, grappling with stress and striving for productivity, monks prioritize staying put and cultivating a deep connection with their surroundings. Many monks take a vow of stability, committing themselves to a specific monastery, which enables them to develop a profound understanding and attachment to the land they inhabit.

The monastic life teaches practitioners to move more slowly through the world, fostering a sense of mindfulness and appreciation for the present moment. Moreover, the monastic sense of place holds the potential to contribute to addressing the growing ecological crisis that threatens our environment.

Dwelling in the Wilderness: A Journey Among Contemporary Benedictine Monks in the American West by Jason Brown explores how these monks fall in love with their landscapes and offers practical ways for us to do the same. Brown travels to four monasteries, including the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California; the Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux in Vina, California; Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey in Carlton, Oregon; and the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Through his interactions with the monks and his observation of their daily routines, Brown gains insight into how the places they inhabit are essential to their spiritual practice and how they construct deeper theological meanings from the natural world.

The book is beautifully illustrated with Brown's photography of monastic landscapes, providing a visual feast for readers. His journey as a pilgrim anthropologist is astute, insightful, and intimate, offering a fresh perspective on our relationship with the natural world. Brown explores theories of environmental perception, philosophy, and symbolic landscapes in accessible language, making the book accessible to a broad audience. By bringing theological reflection to the power of contemplative ecology in an era many are calling the Anthropocene, or the age of human domination, Brown encourages us to reconsider our relationship with our natural surroundings and explore new ways of living in harmony with the Earth.

In conclusion, the lives of contemporary monastics teach us the importance of establishing roots, cultivating a deep connection with our surroundings, and moving more slowly through the world. By exploring the monastic sense of place and engaging with contemplative ecology, we can reimagine our relationship with the natural world and work towards creating a more sustainable and harmonious future.

Dimension: 215 x 139 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781595349798