Living on the Edge

Living on the Edge

RELIGION

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Living on the Edge: Monastic Spirituality and the Development of Inner Space offers a profound exploration of Christian spirituality through the lens of monastic tradition, tracing its evolution from the New Testament era to the present day.

Richard Norton, a theologian and former Director of Studies at the UK Centre for Monastic Studies and Culture, examines the lives and writings of pivotal monastic figures including St. Benedict of Nursia, St. Augustine of Hippo, and St. Teresa of Avila, among others. The book delves into the rich history of renowned monasteries like Subiaco, Monte Cassino, and the Peschersk Lavra in Kiev, revealing how these sacred spaces became crucibles for spiritual growth and innovation.

Living on the Edge shows how the development of monastic spirituality was neither problem-free nor straightforward, arguing that the twists and turns of this journey offer invaluable lessons for those of us living outside the cloister. Precisely because of its challenges, the wisdom of these monks and nuns – rooted in centuries of contemplation, prayer, and communal living – provide timeless guidance as we search for transcendence and greater well-being, mental health, and deeper faith.

Richard Norton is an independent theologian and former Director of Studies at the UK Centre for Monastic Studies and Culture. He has taught systematic theology and church history in a variety of contexts around the world. He is a Companion of Julian of Norwich (CJN) and an Oblate of the Order of Julian of Norwich (ObJN). He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of the Royal Society for Literature and many other learned societies in the UK and America. Richard has given keynote addresses at academic conferences in Canada, Europe, the USA, and the UK, most recently at the International Medieval Congress in Leeds.