Meditation and Contemplation: An Ignatian Guide to Praying with Scripture (Crossroad Book)

This is a compelling book in that Fr. Tim Gallagher shares his heart with us as he teaches us the difference between meditation and contemplation it is written with such great feeling and a wonderful grasp of the teaching on pray of St. Ignatius of Loyola, one of the founders of the Jesuit Order. (SJ). To simplify so many great ideas seem almost insulting, but basically Fr. Gallagher speaks and demonstrates meditation as more of an intellectual pursuit in reading scripture or meditating on another spiritual work. One thinks about the setting, the people there and the message. Contemplation involves more of the total person, especially feelings such that the contemplating person places herself in the scene and explores what the reader is feeling as it indetifies with one or the other of the individuals in the reading. The best and clearest book I have read on this subject.

This series of books is AMAZING! I suffered my whole life with depression- then by accident I ended up at a seminar by Fr. Gallaher. It was life transforming. It gave me the tools and information I needed to once and for all end a life-long fight with depression. He is inspired and a God send. His interpretation of Ignatius is so easy to understand and put to use in daily life. Now I have read the whole series and with eating right have been free of depression for years. My family can deal better with this information. It helped a friend or mine with anger management issues as well. Every time I meet someone that has read these books or gone to a seminar they talk about their release from life-long issues. This should be required reading for everyone!

Father Gallagher speaks clearly on what it takes to begin to pray. Whether we choose the Scriptures or more traditional vocal prayers, meditation and contemplation, explained in simple terms, can be vehicles for an awakening to the richness of all prayer. By using everyday people and their experiences praying we can learn to make our own lives a prayer. If you need to understand what meditation and contemplation are, without the necessity of a theology degree, then this is a great place to start. JMJ

Wonderfully thorough guide for a subject I have found quite difficult to grasp to the extent that I could really begin practicing anything other than the examin. I feel that Fr. Gallagher's writing is extraordinarily excellent and 'accessible'; I can understand Ignatius much better, now able to more fully appreciate and practice the process! Fr. Gallagher is the current leader on this subject, in my opinion. Be sure to search all his works on the subject of Ignatian spirituality (a monumental achievement).

In this book, Fr. Gallagher clearly distinguishes between the two major ways to pray with scripture: Meditation and Contemplation. He uses language easy to understand and in his typical style, provides examples of how the prayers are used by different people in different ways but still providing much fruit. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking to up the quality or quantity of their prayer, or for anyone interested in praying more with scripture but not sure how to begin.

This book describe, in a clear and easy manner, how to establish a deep and personal communication with God, which is prayer. It describes how to meditate on a verse, and place yourself in the scene, which makes the experience more meaningful. It describes the prayer experiences of ordinary people, how they schedule and prepare for it, where they pray and so forth. A must read for those who want to go beyond rote prayer in communicating with God.

It's very insightful and deepens my understanding of Ignatian spirituality and exercises. The format of having actual people whom he interviewed for the content is informative and inspiring although I prefer less of it.

Fr Timothy Gallagher has a great way of explaining in a small book what I may read in large volumes of other spiritual writers.

Great book. Very practical and lots of real life stories. I recommend it to any one seeking to learn more about meditation.

Good Work

Very helpful book on meditation from an Ignation perspective.

Was good but not life changing unlike "how to discern God's will" from the same author