<p/><br></br><p><b> Book Synopsis </b></p></br></br>A the taste of silence t the youthful age of nineteen Bieke Vandekerckhove was diagnosed with ALS (a degenerative neurological disease, aka Lou Gehrig's disease). Unexpectedly, three years later her disease went into remission and, even though partially paralyzed, she has lived with ALS now for more than twenty years. In twenty-seven short chapters, written at various points in her life, the author shares her search for meaning and strength. Much to her own surprise, she found both in the stillness of contemplation, in the richness of silence. The practice of Benedictine spirituality and Zen meditation became, as she says, the two lungs through which she breathes. Along the way of her painful but illuminating journey, she shares insights learned from artists of all stripes, whether poets, painters, sculptors, or moviemakers, and from great contemplatives and thinkers. The result is a work that offers a deep trove of spiritual wisdom for every reader, whether affl icted with debilitating illness or in perfect health.<p/><br></br><p><b> Review Quotes </b></p></br></br><br>"The author's experiences prove that Benedictine spirituality can be a healing grace. Many of us have had to face an impenetrable wall. Contemplative prayer and meditation can bring down that wall-helping us to endure the winter of our life and move forward to the hope inherent in spring."Thomas J. Rillo, Saint Meinrad's Benedictine Oblate Newsletter<br><br>An insightful and absorbing memoir. Written poetically, the chapters-some only a page and a half-evoke the connectedness that Vandekerckhove felt toward the divine. <br> Diane Scharper, <i>National Catholic Reporter</i><br><br>"Learn to be still and learn to do nothing and learn to wait. The secret of those who became giants always lay in this: they were prepared for the long haul." --Thus wrote poet Henriette Roland Holst. It is what Bieke Vandekerckhove wanted to learn--living with an incurable disease, she had to. Listening, meditating, persevering in the silence, she became one of the giants, and she wrote a book that consoles. <br> Huub Oosterhuis, Dutch theologian, poet, author, liturgist, and ecumenist<br><br>Bieke Vandekerckhove's story shows the way spirituality and religion get synchronized in the paradox classically stated by Polonius in Hamlet: 'by indirections find directions out. <br> Patrick Henry, On Being blog<br><br>Life is full of trials--yet sometimes we may suddenly perceive an eternal light in the midst of the worst tribulations. There is much in life that does not make any sense, so we need witnesses whose life says: and yet! and who keep on smiling through their tears. This book is such a smile, compelling in its authenticity. <br> Benoît Standaert, Benedictine Monk of Saint Andrew's Abbey in Bruges, Belgium, Author of <i>Sharing Sacred Space: Interreligious Dialogue as Spiritual Encounter</i><br>