In case you haven’t heard, my new book came out this week.
“Where The Pavement Ends: Retreats at Assumption Abbey and other Spiritual Journeys” is a collection of narratives about my monastery visits, essays on the contemplative life, and profiles of Southeast Kansans that reflect the transcendence of living in this corner of the state — 388 pages worth — plus 20 photographs of the monastery and grounds.
It’s also embedded with poetry; a few of mine, and excerpts from Walt Whitman, William Stafford, Jo McDougall, John Knoll, William Blake, Brother Thomas Imhoff, Robert Browning and more.
Here’s some of the blurb printed on the publisher’s Web site, iUniverse.com: “In a voice as authentic as the people and places he describes, he transports readers to the core of the human spirit. It's a journey through the landscape of the heart — one that speaks to the richness of the human soul and the benefits of a more contemplative life.”
Just my luck it came out the same week that Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue" was everywhere. Every media outlet in the States must have done at least one daily piece about it. Took my spot on Oprah too.
Although I haven’t read Palin’s book, I already have a favorite quote, “If God had not intended for us to eat animals, how come He made them out of meat?”
At first glance that quote might seem to qualify for inclusion in “The 776 Stupidest Things Ever Said” alongside this gem by ex-Playboy bunny Barbi Benton, “I believe that mink are raised for being turned into fur coats and if we didn’t wear fur coats those little animals would never have been born.”
I guess it could be the Palin quote is something to be pondered. Like a Zen Buddhist koan, a statement containing spiritual aspects that are inaccessible to rational understanding.
I’m scheduled for a retreat (my version of “going rogue”) at Assumption Abbey just before Christmas. I might try Palin’s statement out on a couple of my vegetarian monk friends. No doubt it would give them cause for reflection.
Who knows, maybe I’ll find a copy of “Going Rogue” in the monastery gift shop alongside my new book. The monks are famous for not playing favorites.
If you find the three hour drive to Assumption Abbey a bit long to pick up my book, you can get one at the Pittsburg State Bookstore, Hastings, Crowell’s Hallmark, and Crowell’s Pharmacy in Pittsburg as well as Pallucca’s in the Republic of Frontenac.
Those reading this who live outside the area can peruse and purchase it online at iuniverse.com for $24.95 plus shipping. Better yet, I’ll send you a signed copy for $25.00 (shipping included) if you mail a check to me at 401 W. Euclid, Pittsburg, Kansas, 66762. Need I say it would make a fine Christmas gift?
I won’t be doing a national bus tour but I will be doing a reading and book signing, hosted by Carol Ann Robb, at Pittsburg Public Library on Sunday, December 6th at 2 p.m.
Carol Ann told me, just this morning, that she plans to serve up portions of Assumption Abbey Fruitcake — the dark, rich, traditional kind, baked slowly and aged under the careful supervision of the monks — following the reading.
Oprah Winfrey, eat your heart out.
J.T. Knoll is a writer, speaker and prevention and wellness coordinator at Pittsburg State University. He also operates Knoll Training, Consulting & Counseling Services in Pittsburg. He can be reached at 231-0499 or jtknoll@swbell.net
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In case you haven’t heard, my new book came out this week.
“Where The Pavement Ends: Retreats at Assumption Abbey and other Spiritual Journeys” is a collection of narratives about my monastery visits, essays on the contemplative life, and profiles of Southeast Kansans that reflect the transcendence of living in this corner of the state — 388 pages worth — plus 20 photographs of the monastery and grounds.
It’s also embedded with poetry; a few of mine, and excerpts from Walt Whitman, William Stafford, Jo McDougall, John Knoll, William Blake, Brother Thomas Imhoff, Robert Browning and more.
Here’s some of the blurb printed on the publisher’s Web site, iUniverse.com: “In a voice as authentic as the people and places he describes, he transports readers to the core of the human spirit. It's a journey through the landscape of the heart — one that speaks to the richness of the human soul and the benefits of a more contemplative life.”
Just my luck it came out the same week that Sarah Palin's book "Going Rogue" was everywhere. Every media outlet in the States must have done at least one daily piece about it. Took my spot on Oprah too.
Although I haven’t read Palin’s book, I already have a favorite quote, “If God had not intended for us to eat animals, how come He made them out of meat?”
At first glance that quote might seem to qualify for inclusion in “The 776 Stupidest Things Ever Said” alongside this gem by ex-Playboy bunny Barbi Benton, “I believe that mink are raised for being turned into fur coats and if we didn’t wear fur coats those little animals would never have been born.”
I guess it could be the Palin quote is something to be pondered. Like a Zen Buddhist koan, a statement containing spiritual aspects that are inaccessible to rational understanding.
I’m scheduled for a retreat (my version of “going rogue”) at Assumption Abbey just before Christmas. I might try Palin’s statement out on a couple of my vegetarian monk friends. No doubt it would give them cause for reflection.
Who knows, maybe I’ll find a copy of “Going Rogue” in the monastery gift shop alongside my new book. The monks are famous for not playing favorites.
If you find the three hour drive to Assumption Abbey a bit long to pick up my book, you can get one at the Pittsburg State Bookstore, Hastings, Crowell’s Hallmark, and Crowell’s Pharmacy in Pittsburg as well as Pallucca’s in the Republic of Frontenac.
Those reading this who live outside the area can peruse and purchase it online at iuniverse.com for $24.95 plus shipping. Better yet, I’ll send you a signed copy for $25.00 (shipping included) if you mail a check to me at 401 W. Euclid, Pittsburg, Kansas, 66762. Need I say it would make a fine Christmas gift?
I won’t be doing a national bus tour but I will be doing a reading and book signing, hosted by Carol Ann Robb, at Pittsburg Public Library on Sunday, December 6th at 2 p.m.
Carol Ann told me, just this morning, that she plans to serve up portions of Assumption Abbey Fruitcake — the dark, rich, traditional kind, baked slowly and aged under the careful supervision of the monks — following the reading.
Oprah Winfrey, eat your heart out.
J.T. Knoll is a writer, speaker and prevention and wellness coordinator at Pittsburg State University. He also operates Knoll Training, Consulting & Counseling Services in Pittsburg. He can be reached at 231-0499 or jtknoll@swbell.net
