This book reveals the riches of the Cistercian tradition and it's relevance for today's world. It draws on such twelfth-century writers as Bernard of Chairvaux and Aelred of Rievaulx, but also Thomas Merton and other contemporary Cistercians who wrote on matters of perennial concern: the true self, growth, integration, friendship, the love of God, and above all the life of prayer. Anyone wishing to explore Cistercian spirituality will find this book an illuminating and practical guide.