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eBook Category: Spiritual/Religion
eBook Description: We are surrounded by treasures so obvious we cannot see them. These treasures are the words of common sense passed through the ages throughout many cultures in the form of maxims, proverbs, and wise sayings. They may be taken for granted but, upon examination, it is clear how much wisdom they contain. Brother David Steindl-Rast takes us on a journey of discovery by identifying the wonder of the ordinary found in common sense. In a humble and insightful way he illuminates the teachings that are passed from one generation to the next. These words of common sense bring to light the important virtues and ethics that are valued by human beings worldwide. "When you drink from a stream, remember the spring," says a wise Chinese proverb that evokes thanksgiving and reflection. "A contented heart is a continual feast" directs a person to look within for their happiness rather than without. There are attitudes and actions that hinder a person from using their innate common sense or from being able to learn from others. The negative or destructive states that impede one's growth are explained, as well as steps one can take toward cultivating wisdom within. By becoming aware of the proverbs of the world and by honoring the thread of human experience as expressed in wise sayings, the reader becomes transported to a feeling of connection with other religions and cultures. Inspiring and optimistic, Words of Common Sense helps to make a rewarding life possible within the trials of everyday living as one discovers that within the ordinary can be found the keys to living a life of meaning. When we look to the words of common sense that are around us, we can begin to make sense of things for ourselves. These words can guide, illuminate, and inspire us. An inspirational and accessible explanation of the power of maxims and proverbs Guidance toward leading a life of meaning and purpose. A look at various religious and cultural approaches to wisdom, as passed on through the ages.

eBook Publisher: Templeton Foundation Press, Published: 2002
Fictionwise Release Date: August 2003

3 Reader Ratings: Great Good OK Poor

Available eBook Formats [Secure Microsoft Reader/Adobe - What's this?]: SECURE MICROSOFT READER FORMAT [293 KB] - Requires Microsoft Reader 2.1.1 for PCs, or Microsoft Reader 2.2.2 on Pocket PC 2002 handheld devices. Some older Pocket PCs can be upgraded. Learn More., SECURE ADOBE FORMAT [467 KB]
Secure Adobe: Printing enabled, Read-aloud DISABLED
Other formats: Printing DISABLED, Read-aloud DISABLED
Microsoft Reader ISBN: 1932031421
Adobe Acrobat Reader ISBN: 193203143X
eReader (recommended) ISBN: 1932031448

"Thomas Paine might have approved of this inspirational gift book, which heralds the common sense in the sayings of Jesus and in the world of folklore. Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk in western N.Y., maintains that common sense can actually effect 'healing on any level-mind, body, soul, spirit.' A consummate collector of world proverbs, Steindl-Rast arranges the aphorisms around loose themes-giving, troubles, riches, truth-and comments on them on facing pages. He calls common sense "the ultimate authority" and claims that organized religion must stand up to the rigors of common sense or it will crumble. He even proposes that "each time we see 'Holy Spirit' printed on a page or hear it said aloud, we might replace it with 'Common Sense' to get the full impact." Some readers will not be able to trust that liberally in the all-too-uncommon phenomenon that Steindl-Rast calls common sense, but they will appreciate his proverbial wisdom nonetheless."--Publisher's Weekly

"A Russian saying goes: 'There is no proverb without a grain of truth.' In Sierra Leone, proverbs are described as 'daughters of experience.' For years, Brother David Steindl-Rast has been gathering favorite ones from around the world. This senior member of a Benedictine monastery in the Finger Lakes area of New York observes: 'Like slick fish, proverbs have managed to slide through the nets of scholars who set out to catch them in a definition.' One of the things that makes proverbs and parables so important today is that they offer an antidote to authoritarian thinking. And certainly this kind of thinking is rampant in religion, politics, and other sectors of society. Steindl-Rast salutes proverbs as providing practical guidance for living. And instead of accentuating differences, they reveal unity across cultures. Check out the same insight in these two proverbs, the first from New York and the second from the West Indies: 'Every family has a skeleton in the closet.' 'Every cabin have him dirty corner.' We agree with Thomas Moore who in the foreword salutes Brother David Steindl-Rast for finding 'a way to think and feel with our fellow beings and discover solutions to our problems that are deeply in tune with our humanity.'"--Spirituality and Health