Observing an encounter between Catholic and Buddhist monks in 1996 at the Abbey of Gethsemani, near where he grew up in rural Kentucky, Fenton Johnson found himself unable to make the sign of the cross. His distance from his childhood faith had become so great -- he considered himself a rational, skeptical man -- that he could not participate in this most basic ritual. Impelled by this troubling experience, Johnson began a search for the meaning of the spiritual life, a journey that took him from Gethsemani to the San Francisco Zen Center, through Buddhism and back to Christianity, from paralyzing doubt to a life-enriching faith.
Keeping Faith explores the depths of what it means for a skeptic to have and to keep faith. Johnson grew up with the Trappist monks, but rejected institutionalized religion as an adult. While living as a member of the Gethsemani community and the Zen Center, however, he learned to practice Christian rituals with a new discipline and studied Buddhist meditation, which brought him a new understanding of the deep relationship between sexuality and faith, body and spirit. Changed in profound ways, Johnson ultimately turned back to his childhood faith, now inflected with the accumulated wisdom of his journey.
Johnson interweaves memoir, the personal and often shocking stories of Buddhist and Christian monks, and a revealing history of the contemplative life in the West. He offers lay Christians an understanding of the origins and history of their contemplative traditions and provides the groundwork needed to challenge orthodox understandings of spirituality. No matter their backgrounds, readers will find Keeping Faith a work of great power and immediacy.
How does a rational man bridge the gap between doubt and devotion, and what can we learn from his journey?
- Interfaith Dialogue: Step inside the landmark Gethsemani Encounter, where the traditions of Catholic monks and the wisdom of Buddhist masters—including the Dalai Lama—meet.
- Christian Contemplative Traditions: Discover the rich history of Western monasticism as Johnson lives among the Trappist monks he grew up with, offering a rare look at their cloistered world.
- Zen Buddhism in America: Journey to the San Francisco Zen Center to explore Buddhist meditation and the profound connection between body, spirit, and sexuality.
- A Search for Modern Faith: Follow a deeply personal and intellectual quest that moves from paralyzing doubt to a life-enriching faith, providing a roadmap for today’s seeker.
