Parabola magazine refers to Brother David Steindl- Rast, OSB, as a ‘bridge-builder between East and West’ in the tradition of Thomas Merton, OCSO, and he certainly deserves that accolade. This collection of his writings spans a remarkable range of issues and grounds the reader in what the author calls Common Sense Spirituality. His expansive definition of the term sets the stage for the wisdom that flows through these essays: ‘Our most exhilarating knowing comes . . . from the awareness of a shared aliveness’ (26). And, ‘Common Sense is more than thinking. It is a vibrating aliveness to the world, in the world, for the world . . . and it becomes a basis for doing, for acting’ (27). Steindl-Rast is not afraid to thrust his faith right into the melee created by science and religion, and he struggles along with the reader to make meaning of our complex, technological world. He urges us to ask the big questions and not be afraid of paradoxical answers, as reflected in these simple words from Joan Chittister, OSB’s introduction: ‘We want science, which deals with matter, to explain God to us. We want religion, which deals with the spirit, to be an authority on the biological nature of life. In the end, we make a thing of God and a god of science’ (8). The fifteen essays include from ‘The Monk in Us’ to ‘The God Problem’ to ‘The House of Hope.’ It ends in two essays on gratefulness, the topic of his classic offering Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer. Steindl-Rast insists that gratefulness must be diligently practiced if it is to become a part of who we are, rather than what we think. He even includes some time-tested tips for practices that move us from concept to experience and bring lofty thinking into the here and now. Following his suggestions could bear much fruit in the lives of spiritual directors and spiritual directees alike. One of the most intriguing essays centers on the subject of ‘Shadows,’ which includes ‘everything in us that is unconscious, repressed, undeveloped, and denied’ (106). The reader is urged to confront those things that do not fit into the neat patterns one might expect and integrate them into the path to wholeness. Steindl-Rast insists that a healthy personality accepts the shadow rather than suppressing it. He challenges us to refrain from exclusive optimism or pessimism, centering instead on realistic hope: ‘Today we often cheapen hope to optimism, and so when things don’t work out picture perfect, we get the backlash of wallowing in pessimism and despair . . . Despair blocks surprises from reality; hope paves the way for reality to surprise itself’ (108–109). Common Sense Spirituality is full of rich devotional reading and could be a worthwhile tool for digging more deeply into integrated spirituality. Steindl-Rast has a unique gift for bringing extraordinary concepts into ordinary moments, and reading this collection is like sitting at the feet of a master. However, meandering through his distilled wisdom needs to be a stroll, not a marathon..Linda Douty, spiritual director, retreat leader, and author of How Can I See the Light When It’s So Dark?, Journey to a Thankful Heart, How Can I Let Go If I Don’t Know I’m Holding On?, and Setting Our Souls Free