It is rare that I know for certain that I will re-read a book. But I will most definitely return to "Cave, Refectory, Road" at some point.
The book does not explore new territory. There have been numerous attempts to apply the riches of the Christian monastic tradition to everyday life in the modern world. But it carries a quiet, unassuming power that, for me at least, allowed its message to penetrate deeply, without my being quite aware this was happening. Realisation dawned as I found myself revisiting certain chapters that would not leave my mind.
Perhaps this is because the book is not an abstract study. It is the fruit of Ian Adams' long-term commitment to finding ways to live out monastic ideals in the world, in the light of a deeply committed prayer life. Indeed, it is the passages describing the good and bad times in his experience of prayer that moved me most.
The unusual title neatly summarises the model of life that the book offers for exploration. It describes the basic rhythm that encapsulates the wisdom of the monastic tradition- a movement between the solitude of personal prayer (with all its challenges); living out the experience of prayer in spiritual community; and going out into an unpredictable world to meet God. Within this context, the author then goes on to explore how practices such as simplicity, devotion, humility and rootedness may be lived out in twenty-first century western society.
Highly recommended.