An informative and engaging book about monasticism, its history, practice, and relevance to contemporary life, combining personal insights with sound scholarship.

Contrary to what may be supposed, the monastic life is not an escape from the world, but a deeper engagement with the reality of being human.

This book explores the paradoxes and principles of monastic spirituality with a combination of historical information, theological reflection and the story of the author's own spiritual journey. Its purpose: to elucidate the valuable life-lessons monastic spirituality can offer us today.