Book 01: Imitation of Christ (IOC) - Overview

Shiann · #1 Aug 16, '05, 2:28 pm

That was a close vote.

But the chosen title of this month's book club discussion is:

Imitation of Christ- Thomas Kempis

This book can be found FREE online here:

http://www.ccel.org/ccel/kempis/imit...titlepage.html

To browse through the book, click the navigation buttons on the dark burgundy bar at the top or bottom of the page.

I'm sure you can purchase the book at many religious retailers or online through amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Later this evening I will be posting the first set of discussion threads.

We would ask that you keep ALL discussion within the threads we post- and not start new ones. This should act to facilitate good, on-topic discussion about the book, and avoid many digressions and confusion.

Remember the rules of the board also apply here.

For Imitation of Christ, we have decided to post individual threads for each small essay that Thomas has written. They are each good topics for insightfull discussion. But there are nearly 25 of these topics in the FIRST of four sections. Anticipate this structure through all Book Club discussion books.

Remember, we are learning as we go along too. And we are open to any and all comments or concerns. Please feel free to PM moderators, Scout, or me if you wish to offer anything. Or you can post on the "General" threads that will accompany each title.

The "General" thread for each book is to be a "catch all" for Book club discussion and business. Please use your good judgment and make sure your posts are not better suited in one of the other more focused discussion threads.

In closing- we wish to wish everyone the best- and hope that everyone enjoys the Book Club.

In closing, we would like to offer the words of St. Ambrose- patron Saint of learning:

Lord, teach me to seek You, and reveal Yourself to me when I seek You.
For I cannot seek You unless You first teach me, nor find You, unless You first reveal Yourself to me.

Let me seek You in longing, and long for You in seeking.
Let me find You in love, and love You in finding.

Amen

Quaere Verum · #2 Aug 16, '05, 2:41 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiann

In closing, we would like to offer the words of St. Ambrose- patron Saint of learning:

Lord, teach me to seek You, and reveal Yourself to me when I seek You.
For I cannot seek You unless You first teach me, nor find You, unless You first reveal Yourself to me.

Let me seek You in longing, and long for You in seeking.
Let me find You in love, and love You in finding.

Amen

I'm looking forward to getting started. I'm sure I represent others in the Book Club when I say thank you to you Shiann, Scout, and the staff who have gotten the Book Club underway. I'm sure it wasn't easy to decide which of all the suggested books to poll. You're doing great, and I will be sure to pray the above prayer before I read the Imitation of Christ, the posts by other members, and before I myself post.

D Quintero · #3 Aug 16, '05, 2:57 pm

THANK YOU!

WanderAimlessly · #4 Aug 16, '05, 3:41 pm

Got my copy out last night. I have two books to finish and then I will start on IOC.

I am using the Vintage Spiritual Classics version translated by Joseph N. Tylenda S.J. I found it to be the easiest to read.

PF

WanderAimlessly · #5 Aug 16, '05, 5:31 pm

To Giannawannabe on your comments in:

BC#1- IOC- Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giannawannabe

Oh!! To love God with the purest of intentions. To live one's life to please Him, not to please others or oneself. How free one would feel to simply do things out of love for God!!!!! It seems so simple. Yet, if we begin to feel pride for trying to live our lives to please God---we have failed to really love Him at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Giannawannabe

This is the first time I have ever read "Imitation of Christ". What a treat this is going to be for me.

The Immitation of Christ was one of the first books I used for meditation. This is my second time through the Book. I am journalizing all my thoughts this time through.

PF

Shiann · #6 Aug 16, '05, 5:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

To Giannawannabe on your comments in:

BC#1- IOC- Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth

[font=Arial]The Immitation of Christ was one of the first books I used for meditation. This is my second time through the Book. I am journalizing all my thoughts this time through.

PF

What a great IDEA! I think I will try that myself

WanderAimlessly · #7 Aug 16, '05, 5:46 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiann

What a great IDEA! I think I will try that myself

Shiann.

Basically, what I am posting here, I am writing in my eJournal (Word Document) first. This allows me to clean it up and attach any references that I have. Better than trying to read my chicken scratch and typing it in on the thread.

PF

Philena · #8 Aug 16, '05, 6:14 pm

Did you know that "Imitation of Christ" was one of St. Therese of Lisieux's favorite books? And her "Story of a Soul" is one of my favorite books.

WanderAimlessly · #9 Aug 16, '05, 6:31 pm

Shiann:

Can I make one suggestion. Can you add the Chapter Number to the threads title. Not all the translations have the same title (most are close) as the on-line translation. It will make it easier to follow what goes where.

PF

Shiann · #10 Aug 16, '05, 7:02 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

Shiann:

Can I make one suggestion. Can you add the Chapter Number to the threads title. Not all the translations have the same title (most are close) as the on-line translation. It will make it easier to follow what goes where.

PF

We'll do.

I purposely only posted 5 (or six) of those little essays for discussion. I know there are 25 of them for this week, and will add the rest tomorrow, but we thought maybe we should just add a few at first, and see what bugs we can work out.

Of course, the first bug to be worked out will be the addition of chapter numbers to the thread titles. Good idea, and thanks for the suggestion!

WanderAimlessly · #11 Aug 16, '05, 7:15 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shiann

I purposely only posted 5 (or six) of those little essays for discussion. I know there are 25 of them for this week, and will add the rest tomorrow, but we thought maybe we should just add a few at first, and see what bugs we can work out.

Of course, the first bug to be worked out will be the addition of chapter numbers to the thread titles. Good idea, and thanks for the suggestion!

That pace should be about right. I found when I did more than 4 chapters a day for meditation the first time I did the book, I could not concentrate on the meditations.

PF

Jersey Jeepster · #12 Aug 16, '05, 7:58 pm

I do not yet own this book and would like to buy it. But, I am seeing a few different versions of it that are available on the different web storefronts. There is an illustrated version about 96 pages in length. I have also seen a 280 odd page length and a 490 odd page length available. Which is the complete version?

Thanks!

**Katie1723** · #13 Aug 17, '05, 5:00 am

I am showing my ignorance here. I have IOC. Bought and read it a long time ago. Do we just start reading again?? Or wait til we are given the "go ahead"? I have never belonged to a book club before and am unsure how to take part in one. Any help would be appreciated!

~ Kathy ~

WanderAimlessly · #14 Aug 17, '05, 5:05 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katie1723

I am showing my ignorance here. I have IOC. Bought and read it a long time ago. Do we just start reading again?? Or wait til we are given the "go ahead"? I have never belonged to a book club before and am unsure how to take part in one. Any help would be appreciated!

~ Kathy ~

Start reading and commenting.

There are threads started for the first 6 chapters of book 1. I think Shiann said there will be 25 chapters (all of Book 1) for the first week.

I have found that doing no more than 4 chapters of IOC a day works best for meditation.

PF

Giannawannabe · #15 Aug 17, '05, 5:10 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderAimlessly

To Giannawannabe on your comments in:

BC#1- IOC- Imitating Christ and Despising All Vanities on Earth

[font=Arial]The Immitation of Christ was one of the first books I used for meditation. This is my second time through the Book. I am journalizing all my thoughts this time through.

PF

Great idea!!! I'm starting to get a little overwhelmed, so writing thoughts down before posting will help with my meditation. Thank you.