Customer Reviews: Read 19 more reviews...
 let go - let God March 3, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
A very comforting form of spirituality, one practised by Therese of Lisieux (the little flower). In a world of shoulds, filled with spiritual directors & self help gurus de Caussade maintains that the Holy Spirit, who knows us intimately and loves us passionately, will provide each individual, with a tailor made pathway to God. So, relax, (even if at times it's rough going) know that you are loved & God is in charge.
As all good spiritual books, this small gem (that's in itself a great recommendation) provides a wealth of insights into God's action on the soul. I stay with the Beevers translation because that's the first one I bought. Read very slowly, maybe one paragraph or page a day, with a high-liner, unless of course your brilliant, then read two pages.
Spiritual Classic on How to Live for God February 7, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Jean-Pierre de Caussade was born March 6, 1675 in the south of France. In 1693 he became a Jesuit and in 1704 was ordained a priest. He eventually earned a Doctorate in theology and taught until 1720. After this, he worked as a preacher and confessor. In 1729, he became the director of the Visitation Nuns in Nancy. This appointment would last five years, but those five years have given us "Abandonment to Divine Providence." This is a book that de Caussade was not aware he had written. Rather, it comes from preserved letters and notes from conferences that he gave to the Visitation sisters. Fr. Henri Ramiere edited them into a small volume which was first published in 1861. Today, it is recognized as a spiritual classic.
The message of "Abandonment to Divine Providence" is that God's will is all that matters. Our way to holiness consists of doing that will, whatever it may take us and no matter the cost. De Caussade describes both active and passive loyalty to God's will. "Active loyalty means obeying the laws of God and the Church and fulfilling all the duties imposed on us by our way of life. Passive loyalty means that we lovingly accept all that God sends us at each moment of the day." Our happiness and holiness depend on following God's plan for us. De Caussade makes an emphatic point, "If you are not satisfied with what God chooses for you, what else can please you? . . .Are you wiser than God? Why do you seek anything different from what he desires?"
Sometimes it can be difficult to see God's hand in our lives, especially when life is hard, when we are sick or experience heartache. De Caussade compares us to a stone being shaped by a sculptor. "I welcome each blow of his chisel as the best thing that could happen to me, although, if I'm to be truthful, I feel that every one of these blows is ruining me, destroying me and disfiguring me." It is at these times that we need faith to believe in God's wisdom, to trust that God has our best eternal interests at heart.
"Abandonment to Divine Providence" is a brief book. If one made an effort, it could be read in one day. However, it is one of those books meant to be used as an on-going source of spiritual nourishment. Open a random page and read a few paragraphs. Take a quote and put it where you will see it everyday. Receive a gentle reminder of what matters in life.
Abandonment To Divine Providence (1921) September 26, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This is an awesome book with wisdom that applies to ones real life needs and experiences. I first checked it out from our church library but quickly knew that I needed to own a copy that I could mark up.
Lost November 5, 2006
1 out of 23 found this review helpful
I bought this 4 months ago and still have not read it, I guess that says something, but I don,t know what. If you are on a sprirtual search try James Redfield or Ace Starry, Brian L. Weiss, or Betty Eadie.Peace.
 everyday mysticism August 5, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I used to get intimidated by the term mystic. I thought you needed to live on a mountaintop, shave your head and eat bark to be a mystic. But after explore this book and some of the other Christian mystics, I'm convinced that they are telling us what we already know--every moment counts. Every moment God's love is available and we can encounter it.
While the writing can be a little clunky at times, this book has priceless gems of insight scattered throughout it. If you're looking for a book that will open your eyes up to the significance and wonder of this moment, check out this little known classic.
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