Kyriacos C. Markides - Inner River: A Pilgrimage to the Heart of Christian Spirituality

PRAISE FOR Inner River

Inner River sails into the ageless world of Eastern Christianity, and along the way, spirituality is found in monasteries, in the lives of saints and living sages, in mystical experiences, and in the daily praxis of people seeking the meaning of life in the Orthodox faith. Markides, through his superb dialectic skills, blends reason with faith, and while his inspirational book has an end, the inner river keeps flowing, stirring the heart and mind of the reader, Western or Eastern, in a spiritual journey of self-discovery. Dr. Christos P. Ioannides, director of the Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Queens College, CUNY

Dr. Markides welcomes readers into a reliving of another of his personal pilgrimages. His vulnerable exchanges with insightful elders prompt meaningful reflection, and these joyous experiences lead each reader to renewal and resolve of their own journey in spiritual development. The entire text is replete with enlightenment of the treasures found in catharsis, fotisis, and theosis. Fr. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, president of Hellenic College, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology

Professor Markides is a true philosopher and an inspired writer. Inner River is to date his most important work. Written in simple, clear, and practical words, it takes us to the core of our spiritual tradition, providing what is truly essential but most lacking in our contemporary educational system and secular society: meaning for the mind, motivation for the heart, and purpose for the will. If you want to know yourself and live to the fullest, this book is truly a must, a priceless jewel! Dr. Peter Roche de Coppens, Professor Emeritus, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania, former UN consultant, writer

With his engaging blend of travelogue, conversations with a wise and charismatic spiritual father, and musings on the big questions of life and death, Professor Markides takes us as companions on his journey of discovery. The insights that he communicates with such enthusiasm are timely ones: here at last is a writer who challenges the seeker after mystical understanding and Eastern spirituality to discover Christianity. Dr. Elizabeth Theokritoff, independent scholar and co-editor of The Cambridge Companion to Orthodox Christian Theology

Dr. Kyriacos Markides is a consummate scholar whose writings are so very accessible that his readers are ushered into a world of inquiry that might otherwise remain impenetrable. Whether specifically articulated or tacit, his message becomes increasingly clear that the laws of the spiritual world are far different from the laws of the material world. Armed with such a framework, his gentle invitation enables the reader to navigate the planet with an increasingly deeper understanding of both worlds. When one readsor rather experiencesMarkides, it is like acquiring a new friend and mentor who has come to live with you, in that he is only a reach away, an educator who can stow away in a briefcase or knapsack, ready to offer further illumination on call. In Inner River, we journey with him in his further quest for a deeper understanding of the mystical path as informed by Eastern Orthodox spirituality. Through his writings we can come to embrace his beloved mentor, Father Maximos, as he educates us as well. Following him from a conference and accompanying dialogues with learners, faculty, and friends at Holy Cross Theological School near Boston, to his further encounters with Father Maximos in his homeland of Cyprus, and beyond, Markidess informed, detailed, and engaging writing style makes one feel present in the conversation. Moreover, like a trusted friend, Markides invites us into his private thoughts as he makes meaning and ponders additional questions that arise. Like proceedings from a conference, one can return repeatedly to re-experience in greater depth the lessons learned. Accordingly, his writing holds the potential to transform ones very way of navigating life. Marcie Boucouvalas, Ph.D., editor of Journal of Transpersonal Psychology

PRAISE FOR The Mountain of Silence

A fascinating narrative that is dialogue and meditation, history and politics, theology and travelogue. Los Angeles Times

Markidess work is an excellent resource for spiritual seekers of all levels, answering questions about Christianity in general, and Eastern monasticism in particular. Publishers Weekly

Spirituality with refreshing honesty Markidess book calls attention to the existence of an ancient form of mysticism within the bonds of modern Christianity. Booklist

An excellent overview of the main themes common to all Orthodox spirituality while avoiding the dullness of typical textbook treatments by the intensity of the authors personal search and by vivid vignettes from Mount Athos. I recommend it to all ChristiansCatholic, Protestant, and Orthodoxwho desire to grasp more deeply our common Christian spiritual roots. America

A moving and profoundly human examination of this world and the role of spirituality within it. Cyprus Weekly

I was most interested in the text, and I have learned many things from it. It forms an excellent overview of traditional Orthodox ascetic and spiritual teachings, in a lively style that may reach many people who would not read a more ecclesiastical presentation. May it do some good. Bishop Kallistos Ware

PRAISE FOR THE OTHER WORKS OF KYRIACOS C. MARKIDES

A profound and exciting work of major importance. [Markides] has had the courage to address possibilities that are for the most part ignored in much of contemporary thought. It may be that Professor Markides, and others like him who have the courage to explore, are on the brink of remarkable discoveries about the nature of man. Raymond Moody, author of Life After Life

A vast source of spiritual knowledge, understanding, and practice that is largely unknown to us. Professor Jacob Needleman, author of What Is God?

This is a book every man, woman, and child must become familiar with. Antonio T. de Nicolas, professor of philosophy, SUNY

Markides continues to explore the fascinating world of the mystical and deftly interprets its connections not just to Orthodox Christianity but to all spirituality. Professor Harvey Cox, Harvard Divinity School

This is a book of marvels. Markides has gifted us with his remarkable grasp of the implications of the philosophy and practice of those who would re-enchant the world. Dr. Jean Houston, author of A Mythic Life

A penetrating insight into profound spiritual truths. It is written with the critical eye of a scholar and the courage of a true spiritual adventurer. Dr. Larry Dossey, author of The Extraordinary Healing Power of Ordinary Things

A compelling glimpse into the heart of mystical Christianity. It sparkles with the wisdom of modern saints. Dr. Joan Borysenko, author of Minding the Body, Mending the Mind

Under the sacred spirit of Mount Athos, Kyriacos Markides transforms ordinary vision. Lynn Andrews, author of Love and Power

Strongly reminiscent of the old Platonic dialogues, where questions and answers are interspersed with anecdotes, stories, and experiences. Richard Leviton, author of The Galaxy on Earth

His viewpoint is extremely radical in nature and has great breadth in its implications These are great questions, and this book poses them in a very calm and palatable way. The tone is even-paced and the text is never heavy or hard to read. For one thing, the author is generous in his descriptions of his surroundings where all these discussions occur. He shines his light and then lets his colleagues speak at length. The presentation is often persuasive but always dispassionate. It is, above all, brave, for as the reviewer knows, to come out with evidence for truths inimical to the paradigm that flows through U.S. universities often gives rise to painful reaction from powerful colleagues. J. OM. Bockris, distinguished professor of chemistry, Texas A&M University, in