A Way in the Wilderness (James Bishop)

A Way in the Wilderness

A Commentary on the Rule of Benedict for the Physically and Spiritually Imprisoned

James Bishop

This is an entirely fresh and original interpretation of The Rule of St. Benedict for people today.  James Bishop was imprisoned for serious offenses.  While there he discovered the Rule and absorbed it into his own life.  The circumstances gave him a very particular understanding of it.

This is a chapter-by-chapter commentary.  The author has written it not just with prisoners in mind but for all those who feel imprisoned, emotionally, physically or in any other way.  The author has found the Rule to be a source of balance and freedom and guide to being truly human which will never leave him

In his Foreword, Laurence Freeman writes: 'Because St. Benedict's Rule is so sensitive to exceptions, it might be said that it is the exceptions to the Rule that prove its value.  what James found in the community of the Rule was what is essential to it- moderations, gentleness, honesty, regular prayer, unceasing mindfulness of God's presence and our vocation of holiness.'

James Bishop was born in a convent near Los Angeles, California.  He was raised Catholic, but even in adolescence studied other religious beliefs, concentrating on meditation.  He worked for over ten years with artificial intelligence software.  While battling alcoholism and obsessive-compulsive disorder in prison, he was reintroduced to meditation through the World Community for Christian Meditation.  He enjoys writing about his experiences with meditation, synesthesia and music.and currently working on a biograpy.  He is now a free man, both physically and spiritually.