In Praise of the Useless Life

A Monk’s Memoir

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Pub Date 13 Apr 2018 | Archive Date 9 May 2019

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Description

Monastic life and its counter-cultural wisdom come alive in the stories and lessons of Br. Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O., during his more than five decades as a Trappist at the Abbey of Gethsemani.  He served as a novice under Thomas Merton and he also welcomed some of the monastery’s more well-known visitors, including Sr. Helen Prejean and Seamus Heaney, to Merton’s hermitage. In Praise of the Useless Life includes Br. Paul’s quiet reflections on what it means to live each day with careful attentiveness.

The humble peace and simplicity of the monastery and of Br. Paul Quenon’s daily life are beautifully portrayed in this memoir. Whether it be through the daily routine of the monastery, his love of the outdoors no matter the season, or his lively and interesting conversations with visitors (reciting Emily Dickinson with Pico Iyer, discussing Merton and poetry with Czeslaw Milosz), Br. Paul’s gentle musings display his love for the beauty in his vocation and the people he’s encountered along the way.

Inspired by his novice master Thomas Merton, the poet and photographer’s stories remind us that the beauty of life can best be seen in the “uselessness” of daily life—having a quiet chat with a friend, spending time in contemplation—in our vocations, and in the memories we make along the way.

Monastic life and its counter-cultural wisdom come alive in the stories and lessons of Br. Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O., during his more than five decades as a Trappist at the Abbey of Gethsemani. He...


A Note From the Publisher

Br. Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O., entered the Trappists in 1958 at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, where Thomas Merton was his novice master. Quenon is a photographer and the author of several books of poetry, including Unquiet Vigil—named a “Best Spiritual Book of the Year” by Spirituality & Practice and “Best Poetry Volume of the Year” by Hearts and Minds Books. Quenon coauthored Carved in Stone and also contributed spiritual reflections to other books.


Pico Iyer is a British author and Time magazine essayist who lives in Japan.

Br. Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O., entered the Trappists in 1958 at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, where Thomas Merton was his novice master. Quenon is a photographer and the author of several books of...


Advance Praise

“This beautiful book is both simple and profound, written with humor, a grounded sense of humanness, and luminous attention to what lies at the heart of things. After turning the last page, you might, as I did, sit for a while caught by the mystery and meaning of your own life.”

Sue Monk Kidd

 

“Paul Quenon may describe the monastic life as 'useless,' a life of play, and that is often how its critics describe it. But he’s written a book that strikes me as valuable in a culture so terribly marred by narcissism. The key to monastic life, as his novice master Thomas Merton advised him, is ‘to live the life here at the monastery, stop looking at myself, and forget myself.’ In an anxious age, we need to be reassured that 'the best thing is to take in one breath at a time . . . Every breath comes from God, and the air supply is unlimited.' As we wrestle with faith in a world that ignores or denounces it, we need to be reminded that 'Prayer is a breathing that purifies the air, like leaves on the tree.' Monks, as people of prayer, may be useless, but this book is evidence that they are also necessary and even indispensable.”
Kathleen Norris
Author of The Cloister Walk

 

 “Paul Quenon does not romanticize the monastic life. He presents frankly its challenges and pitfalls, and we understand that life can be an unending prayer in the best and fullest sense, even with inevitable, instructive, and mundane annoyances amid the beauty. We may transform our own lives by studying Quenon’s.”
Fenton Johnson
Author of The Man Who Loved Birds


"This artfully written memoir is anything but useless. It shimmers with lyrical descriptions of life in the monastery, love for nature, poetry, and music, and meaningful encounters with remarkable people, not the least being Thomas Merton. Br. Paul reveals the essence of a truly contemplative life—a life that appreciates beauty, knows how to wonder, and is dedicated to love. You don't have to be a monk to be inspired by his story."Carl McColman
Author of Befriending Silence


“The depth and beauty of monastic life is one of the world's best-kept secrets. Seldom does one hear direct, personal testimony of it. And now comes In Praise of the Useless Life by Br. Paul Quenon, who has spent his life at the Abbey of Gethsemani, a place made famous by Thomas Merton, Br. Paul's novice master, whose presence pervades these pages. Br. Paul writes wonderfully, spontaneously, variously, breathlessly of life lived at maximum intensity, in silence and gratitude. You may not be a monastic, but you will recognize—like a quiet echo inside—your own life in his.”
Norman Fischer 
Poet and author of What Is Zen?


“Br. Paul shares his unique monastic experience with candor, humor, and self-awareness.

He understands our shared human invitation to revel in God’s creation and join in the cosmic

dance—a ‘uselessness’ that has unimaginable eternal value.”
Sr. Monica Weis, S.S.J.
Author of Thomas Merton and the Celts 

“When, after a year as a novice, Paul Quenon told his novice master that he wanted to become a monk, Thomas Merton replied ‘Good.’ Good indeed, not only for the poet-monk himself but for all who encounter this generous account of the playful dance of his vocation. Like the lovers in the Song of Songs, Br. Paul calls us to join him outside and learn to live on intimate terms with heaven and earth.”

Stephanie Paulsell

Susan Shallcross Swartz Professor of the Practice of Christian Studies

Harvard Divinity School

 

“It is sometimes said that monks are ordinary people living an extraordinary life. By granting us a glimpse into the daily, common life of a Cistercian, and describing his own inner journey, Br. Paul Quenon proves that the opposite is also true: monks can be extraordinary people living what comes to be a very ordinary, even ‘useless’ life by the world’s standards.” 

Cyprian Consiglio, O.S.B. Cam.
Author of Prayer in the Cave of the Heart

 

“I have learned more sitting on the porch of Thomas Merton's hermitage with Paul Quenon than I have from many books. This delightful memoir provides a window into a monk and poet’s life at Gethsemani recounted with charming anecdotes and fascinating details. Br. Paul has become a mentor for many with his own spiritual message that is grounded in the simple and divine joys of just being alive.”
Jonathan Montaldo
Author of A Year with Thomas Merton


“This beautiful book is both simple and profound, written with humor, a grounded sense of humanness, and luminous attention to what lies at the heart of things. After turning the last page, you...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781594717598
PRICE US$15.95 (USD)

Average rating from 12 members


Featured Reviews

This calm, beautifully written book meanders through the author's life as a monk, his memories of fellow monastics, his life of prayer and stories of his anything but useless life. I loved the book so much I read it straight through but I will be leaving it on my bedside table as an easy to reach resource of wisdom and love and as a constant reminder to wonder at this one beautiful life we all share. Treat yourself to this book I urge you!

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One does not connect clergy and humor but this book does just that. A very candid view of life as a priest.

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This is a wonderful journey with Paul Quenon through his life as a Trappist monk and the many lessons he has learned and come to understand in his life at Gethsemeni. I was born and raised a Catholic in Ireland but have entirely lapsed- it was a real pleasure to see how Quenon has built a quiet, rich life of study, faith and doubt into something that sounds so rewarding, peaceful and warm. Accepting poverty and stepping into the four walls of a new life, he tells stories from his long years as a monk, his commitment to music, poetry and nature, as well as his relationship with Thomas Merton. I really loved this- as a person who has no engagement with organised religion, there was something very positive and beautiful about Quenon's version of faith and how it looks outward to the rest of the world, past the books.

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In Praise Of The Useless Life is an exposition on what life in a monastery is like from the eyes of a monk who has spent decades in the "system". The book details the benefits of such style of living and what it can contribute to the society.

WHO WOULD ENJOY READING IT?
Anyone who wants to know how monks live and the atmosphere and politics around Trappist monasteries would like this. Fans of Thomas Merton would learn a thing or two about him from someone (the author) who was a student to him decades ago.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT IT
Learning about the practical realities of dedicating your life to God behind the walls of a monastery was most illuminating. The advice in the book seems practical and it shows how to make the most of such a life and why it is a high vocation to pursue for those inclined. Those of us not sworn to such high calling can also learn a thing or two about the value of silence, prayers, music, humour, etc from the wisdom contained in this book.

MEMORABLE PASSAGE

"Life, fully lived, expresses some kind of creativity. Some lives are written with beautiful penmanship, with well-honed skill expressing more than mere literal meaning, communicating the unique person as individually as a signature does. For other people, life is lived in a hurry-up state; it gets cut-and-pasted. Could there be creativity in tearing along and getting through it all anyhow? Will God smile at the fancy dance and see how cleverly we came through the scramble without losing the thread of meaning?"


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In Praise Of The Useless Life: A Monk's Memoir by Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O. is available to buy on all major online bookstores. Many thanks to Ave Maria Press for review copy.

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In a culture so obsessed with DOING rather than BEING, "In Praise of a Useless Life" calls us back to being human beings, rather than human doings. Drawing upon his life of reflection and prayer, Br. Paul Quenon, O.C.S.O waves amusing anecdotes with deep spiritual wisdom. Not a heavy text, but a deep one.

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Man’s unhappiness springs from one thing alone, his incapacity to stay quietly in one room’. This is a beautiful set of reflections by about a monk’s life. Quenon writes about the importance of solitude, how to pray, how to find rest in God and spiritual growth. It is not all deadly serious, though. There is plenty of charm and humour. I especially liked his battle with a certain little bird which disturbed his sleep.

Quenon also shares many anecdotes about his mentor Thomas Merton and how Merton helped him. He also gives details about Thomas Merton’s life and thoughts.

I received this free ebook from Net Galley in return for an honest review.

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A beautiful,thoughtful book about the life lived by the author in a monastery. Filled with some whimsy, some humour and much thoughtfulness and insight, the book shares great meaning about the values of simplicity,quiet and introspection. I enjoyed it very much. Recommended.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for my honest review.

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Thank youNetgalley for this ARC.

I gravitate towards books that can teach me a different way of living and new perspectives on life. This memoir of a monks life provided all these things in an enjoyable, interesting way.

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This book was not what I expected. But it was non the less a great read. The book begins with 8 ‘praises’ or plugs for this volume. Of the eight I have only read books by one of them and had not even heard of most. Most have written books about Thomas Merton, or monasticism in general. Quenon recounts many encounters with Merton in this book, but it is not a book about Merton. It is about the author and his own life as a monk. Paul recalls that:

“A day after our encounter, he told me I was narcissistic. That was a heck of a big word for me, and he proceeded to recount the myth of Narcissus—a young man who resisted relationships with others but fell in love with his own image in a pond. He said I was always looking at myself; I wanted to be spiritually beautiful. I was looking at myself in choir, in prayer, and that accounted for the “chafing sensation” that I complained about. I was too turned inward on myself and consequently felt sour and cramped within. He said that was narcissism and added that most young men are narcissistic. His general remedy was to live the life here at the monastery, stop looking at myself, and forget myself. T hat counsel remains until today a code of my monastic life.”

The stories in this volume span decades. Some told reflecting back with fondness. Some looking back and realizing that the events remembered are not always the same as the events experienced.

There was a time when I idolized Merton, Gethsemani, and monasticism in general. If that had not passed, this book would have helped it do so. Paul does a wonderful job of presenting a realistic look in the window at life in the monastery. The book is humbly written. It has stories that are poignant, penetrating, and at time passionate. It is a book that can be consumed in a long afternoon in a deck chair or savoured over many days.

I read this book over a week on my lunch breaks. I had the privileged of meeting Paul many years ago when I was an undergraduate university student. The book was an interesting read. After reading this volume I have a keen interest to track down other volumes by Paul. I can say I enjoyed this book more than some of the Merton’s works I have read. And I believe the writing is better. But Paul does not have the cult of personality that Merton, his former director of novices, had. And as such his work sit more to the outside. But those of us who discover them find a little gem we will treasure and share with those we know. I think this book would make for an excellent book club read.

An intriguing life, for a monk who left the world, only to find himself back in it and engaged in many new ways. And I believe the book will help us look at our own past, our encounters, or lives in a new and fresh way.

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