i am through you so i

I just bought the ebook. Why, because when I met him on at least two occasions in the '80's he was in his Benedictine habit, and at least on the second occasion, at the Immaculate Heart Hermitage in Big Sur, California, I was in my Franciscan habit, as at that time I was a Franciscan. As we took a private walk in the hills above the Hermitage we talked. He was sincere, without pretense and honest with me as we walked and talked. My life has changed much, yet I still remember his genuine humanness, and I regard him as a friend. Often I remember, "Gratefulness is the Heart of Prayer", and again I practice "Gratefulness" for what is here and now, in the present constantly changing moment of consciousness. Perhaps most often, I remember gratefulness, on my frequent walks for exercise, as I also practice seeing all as, well.... choose your image, mine is one of that I am but a bubble, a dream, in the mind of God, and I am not, and "I am he", so to speak, "Not I live, but I am That which is All". Sorry, as you probably know, it's beyond words. Peace and good to you, my friend, Brother David.

"Even as small children, my brothers and I were allowed to go into the woods alone for hours, walk up the creek, and explore. I think that my mother knew where we were and that we were in no danger. We felt protected because we somehow knew that she was not far away. But she gave us that trust; so we were free."Brother David speaks those thoughts in the first chapter. Remarkable how I can say the same was true 30 years later where I was raised. Brother David grew up in the years prior to the Nazi Anschluss of Austria in 1938 and endured the terrors of World War II. I grew up in postwar prosperity and participated in the Vietnam War. So similar, so different. I think whatever else may be similar or different, we shared across the generations that sense of being surrounded with trust and protection, and sadly, it no longer obtains for American children today."i am through you so i" has an interesting format. Each chapter is a decade of Br. David's life described through memoire followed by interview/discussion with an old friend. It moves toward a hopeful vision, and I can recommend it.

An interview with a monk chaptered by the decades of his life. A beautiful look at fear and faith and love of life.

The package was received in great shape and the book is exactly as described, and thank you for the note,

A monk’s memoir spanning nine decades of life. Brother David is widely respected in both Christian and Buddhist circles. A great summary of an interesting life.

Brother David’s life journey and his reflections on it contain legions of ideas, prayers, and practices to help others find and live in the “dual realm” of newness. We readers can have but one response to the blessing of life: gratefulness.

Because I have studied with Brother David at Esalen Institute in Big Sur, I have grown to admire and respect his journey. We have been friends and occasionally pen pals for many years. I couldn't wait for him to write His story. It met more than any expectations I had.

Wonder read!

This is a beautifully written autobiography with a novel structure: it's divided into nine sections, one for each decade of Brother David's life thus far, and each section begins with a reflection on that period of his life followed by a dialogue with Johannes Kaup who is a skilled and sensitive interviewer.Brother David's humanity and his quiet wisdom flow from every page like a soothing balm, and his gentle advocacy of networks of individuals as the engine of just, social change throws down a practical challenge to all of us. I felt enriched and ennobled as a human being after reading this book: its emphasis on the spiritual ties that bind humankind rather than our differences provides a hopeful counterpoint to the 'passionate intensity' of our troubled times.I am so grateful that there are spiritual leaders like Brother David walking amongst us and would recommend this book unreservedly.

Br.David è un faro spirituale per la nostra epoca!

Brother David is a great example of a life well lived. No matter how good a person you are, when you read anything by him you know that you could do better. I don’t think I have ever come across anyone who is both kind and gentle and also a very deep thinker.