This is a book of immense value for all in search of a deeper prayer life. A collection essays by members and associates of the American Carmelite Forum, it distils into 12 chapters the accumulated wisdom and experience of the 800-year –old Carmelite tradition of prayer.

In "Carmel: A School of prayer," Keith Egan, professor of theology at Notre Dame University, introduces the main themes of Carmelite prayer and gives a résumé of some Carmelite classics, recounting their perennial value and their openness to reinterpretation with each succeeding age. This chapter serves as a prelude to the book. It is followed by a splendid exposition of "The Spirituality of the Psalms," here, the late renowned Carmelite biblical scholar, Roland Murphy, takes us behind the language, symbols and literary forms of these ancient hymns of praise, faces the problems for the modern mind in trying to pray them, and elucidates the many methods of interpreting them.

In his treatment of "The Solitude of Carmelite Prayer," Keith Egan explains how the quiet needed to pray in the spirit of Carmel can be faithfully lived out in a variety of different ways by nuns, friars and lay-people alike. "New Wine: Jesus, Carmelite Prayer, and Postmodernity" by Donald Buggert, theology professor at Washington Theological Union, challenges us to revisit Carmel’s mystical tradition in dialogue with the whole context of postmodernism. Also to be commended is the treatment by Ernest Larkin, Carmelite author and lecturer, of "The Carmelite Tradition Centering Prayer/Christian Meditation": in the light of reservations sometimes expressed about the use of the mantra, this is a well-balanced exposition of the essential value of these "new" forms of prayer.

Teresa of Avila insisted on the centrality of Christ in prayer, which is highlighted in the article by author and lecturer Margaret Dorgan, "Jesus Christ in Carmelite Prayer," along with Teresa’s reminder that never, at any time, should we withdraw at prayer from the humanity of Christ; this essay concludes by recalling the bridal tradition of Carmel and prepares us for the later chapter,"Transformation and Divine Union in the Carmelite Tradition," where Carmelite nun Vilma Seelaus considers more fully the loftier regions of Carmelite prayer, namely spiritual betrothal and spiritual marriage.

But the book does not leave us isolated on the heights. In "Contemplation and the Stream of Consciousness," the difficulty of distractions in prayer is squarely faced by Kieran Kavanaugh, translator of the works of John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila; this is a delicate handling of the problem, drawing on the fruits of recent psychological research. The problem of depression is dealt with in "The Dark Night and Depression"; the wise and experienced director and counsellor, Kevin Culligan, handles this sensitive topic with great ability. Invaluable is his practical advice for discerning at what point professional help may become necessary.

Edith Stein’s contribution to the Carmelite tradition of prayer is outlined in "Passion in the Carmelite Tradition: Edith Stein"; importantly, the Carmelite Constance FitzGerald credits her with extending the mystical life of Carmel beyond the confines of the cloister into the horrors of Auschwitz, and exhorts us not to minimise the radicality of the saint’s challenge in breaking the traditionally perceived boundaries of the Carmelite nun.