Here’s a comprehensive guide to loneliness that affords Catholics the deepest possible answers to the growing problem of loneliness in our fragmented, technological modern society.Rooted in ancient philosophical and Biblical wisdom, and buttressed by modern theory and research, these pages bring you to an understanding of the root causes of loneliness and teach you the remedies – secular and … religious – that are most apt to cure this ever more prevalent problem.You’ll also come to see how to harness loneliness for the service of God and neighbor, and how to bear with grace any residual loneliness you can’t manage to defeat.Open these wise pages to discover:The simple ABCs of Lonely ThinkingThe 3 psychological and behavioral components of lonelinessPractical techniques to counteract the effects of all 3 of them30 easy, concrete steps you can take now to conquer your lonelinessHow to acquire the virtues that immunize you against loneliness; andHow to profit from solitude when you must be alonePlus, much more!Here are scores of lessons about loneliness from ancient solitary monks, modern psychologists, saints like Thomas More and Thomas Aquinas, and Christ Himself – lessons that are guaranteed to uproot forever the weeds of loneliness that are choking out the fruitful life God wants you to have.
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I was excited to read “the Catholic Guide to Loneliness,” since an elderly family member is suffering from this malady right now. I was looking for solutions to some of the pain she has suffered these last two years and found many answers that I will share with her. Her illness has prevented her from being able to read, so my one comment for improving this book is this: Kevin please make an audio version of this book!
Going through this book, I dog-eared many pages to return to and reflect upon because I found a particular passage either applicable to myself or wanted to study it and share with a family member. I’m looking forward to going through the book a second time with my highlighter and pencil, which is the highest level of praise I can give a book.
So here’s what the book is about:
There is much to be discussed on the topic of loneliness. Kevin Vost’s book plunges into this topic that we all want to avoid. We avoid this subject because we face it ourselves and feel ashamed of it or we know others who suffer from being lonely. Dr. Vost treats the topic from several vantage points, bringing his Catholic faith square into the discussion. The host points out the problems of loneliness without depressing us, and offers the context and analysis which lead to logical solutions while at the same time keeping compassion at the forefront of his discussion. Each chapter offers practical solutions, along with solid Catholic teaching on the subject, bringing in the perspective of Thomas Aquinas (don’t miss the prayer on p.23!) and even some Stoics’ views on the subject.
Loneliness is not the same as being alone. Some people seek solitude as a measure to gather their thoughts and recharge themselves. Dr. Vost discusses this notion of self-seclusion as a comparison to the more troubling loneliness.
Kevin brings his faith into play in several parts of the book, especially on the chapter on the Loneliness of Christ, where he uses our Lord’s last seven statements from the cross. These statements are examined through the lenses of faith and suffering. He asked the question: How does God feel in suffering and dying alone? Jesus teaches us how to acknowledge loneliness and the accompanying suffering that attends it while at the same time crying out in prayer to the Father and not despairing in that same loneliness. There is meaning in suffering, and in our loneliness, we are reminded to reach out to others who are alone and in pain.
Dr. Vost addresses the practical aspects of loneliness through a logical analysis, the ABCs of loneliness. Dr. Vost breaks down the factors of loneliness and provides insights into the inherent virtues of being lonely to how to lighten the burden of our friends and family members and strangers who are lonely. Each chapter provides an action plan to help us to read, reflect, remember, recite, and reconnect with the various aspects of loneliness and proposed solutions to the chapter subject matter.