Wayne Teasdale (1945-2004) was a lay monk who combined the traditions of Christianity and Hinduism in the way of the Christian sannyasa. In The Mystic Heart (1999), he presented a bold and imaginative picture of the dawn of a new age of interspirituality when people of all traditions would be encouraged to explore the spiritual dimensions of any religion. In A Monk in the World, Teasdale sought to reframe monasticism by encouraging us to all be monks practicing an integral spirituality where we live, work, or play.
The New Monasticism, a new book by Rory McEntee and Adam Bucko, is a rallying call for new types of spiritual life and communities; as an overview of the theological, philosophical, and contemplative foundations behind the new monasticism; and as a whole-hearted advocacy of interspirituality as an approach that can accelerate human spiritual growth and maturity.
The book is in a very real sense part of Teasdale’s legacy. Rory McEntee serves as Executive Director of the Foundation for New Monasticism and helped found the Interspiritual Movement, which are both deeply indebted to Teasdale’s pioneering work. Adam Bucko is an activist, spiritual director to many of New York City’s homeless youth, and co-author of Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation, which we chose as one of the Best Spiritual Books of 2013. Bucko, who spent time at Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville, pays tribute to Swami Satchidananda, one of his teachers in the acknowlegments.
Spirituality & Practice magazine reviewed The New Monasticism and you can read their review here. The book is now available from all booksellers, including Amazon.
