Saint Sharbel, mystic of the East, 1828-1898

the long version

This is a good introduction to Saint Sharbel and the monastic tradition of the Maronite Catholic Rite. In the forward, written by Father Cyril Karam, he provides, apoligetically, a simplified world overview of the east with its Mystical Wisdom of the Veda, Upanishad, Zen and the west begining with the Greek inspired Logos-Wisdom which has been developed and indeed overdeveloped, the rational and intellectual dimesion of man. Thus this reflects the general premise and possible the source of the years of conflict in the Middle East. A combination of the mysticism of the East and the rationality of the West has no winner but always a differing perspectives. They must learn to accept, let go and agree to disagree as they will never resolve who is right becasue they both are in some way. The book then describes his life as a monk in Lebanon. The first chapter starts with his death at a tiny monastery in Annaya, Lebanon.