Brother John: A Monk, a Pilgrim and the Purpose of Life

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars | 528 ratings

Price: 0.99

Last update: 12-16-2024


About this item

Recipient of the prestigious Templeton Prize, Brother John is the true story of a meaningful encounter between a man going through a mid-life crisis, and an umbrella-wielding Trappist monk. This magical encounter on Christmas Eve eventually leads the author, and us all, to the redemptive power of an authentically purposeful life. Uplifting, deeply moving, and set in the magnificent Trappist monastery of Mepkin Abbey, Brother John is dramatically brought to life by over twenty full color paintings by Glenn Harrington, a multiple award-winning artist. Brother John's inspirational message takes place at Christmastime, and its inspirational message and rich illustrations are sure to bring the reader back again and again throughout the year.

Top reviews from the United States

John S
5.0 out of 5 stars A Timeless Story and Priceless Message
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2018
Brother John is the profound, timeless story of how service, giving, and selflessness are the secrets to a more purposeful life. It is beautifully written. The illustrations are truly stunning, memorable and stand on their own. Yet Brother John’s message is what is so priceless.

Following Christmas Eve Mass at Mepkin Abbey outside Charleston, South Carolina, a Monk’s simple act of kindness brings new meaning and insights to the author’s own spiritual journey. Through Mr Turak’s writings and speaking engagements, he now shares Brother John’s miraculous gift, grace and values to countless others.

In today’s fast paced world, humanity’s finest qualities are often underused. The universal message of “Brother John: A Monk, a Pilgrim and the Purpose of Life” reveals humankind at its best, providing inspiration for those seeking authentic, enriched lives of meaning and purpose.

Brother John makes a wonderful gift for the holidays or anytime. I have found that with each reading, new insights are revealed.
Bill D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus said the truth will set you free and Paul says it was for freedom that Christ set us free!
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2018
As this is the second book authored by August Turak that I've read, I suppose I should have been better prepared for the extent and depth of effect it would have on my mind and soul. But as usual, August Turak takes what most human seekers of truth consider to be so illusive and pinpoints the greatest of truths in such an economy of words as to overwhelm the heart and soul. After spending six years studying the depths of God's grace and grace soteriology/theology, I find the most perfect illustration of it here--42 pages containing (as in, "packing in" like a pre-super Nova black hole) the most important truths to the Christian soul that can be explained this side of eternity. Beyond acceptance of the truth of the Gospel, we are then to live life. How? The answer is here. It's clear. It's true. Outside of theology is the philosophy of theological thought and beyond study, action. Beware. Truth--real truth--changes you. Real change results in a changed life. But there is assurance... change for the better; for true freedom as promised by Jesus.
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Bill D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Jesus said the truth will set you free and Paul says it was for freedom that Christ set us free!
Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2018
As this is the second book authored by August Turak that I've read, I suppose I should have been better prepared for the extent and depth of effect it would have on my mind and soul. But as usual, August Turak takes what most human seekers of truth consider to be so illusive and pinpoints the greatest of truths in such an economy of words as to overwhelm the heart and soul. After spending six years studying the depths of God's grace and grace soteriology/theology, I find the most perfect illustration of it here--42 pages containing (as in, "packing in" like a pre-super Nova black hole) the most important truths to the Christian soul that can be explained this side of eternity. Beyond acceptance of the truth of the Gospel, we are then to live life. How? The answer is here. It's clear. It's true. Outside of theology is the philosophy of theological thought and beyond study, action. Beware. Truth--real truth--changes you. Real change results in a changed life. But there is assurance... change for the better; for true freedom as promised by Jesus.
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Brian Seabrook
5.0 out of 5 stars A book to read, reread, and share
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2018
I had the good fortune of reading the 'Brother John' essay years ago. More than a decade later, it remains one of a handful of stories that has stuck with me and had a profound influence on my life. When I found out that the essay had been made into a book, I didn't hesitate to buy multiple copies to share with friends and family during the holidays. It didn't disappoint. The essay is as poignant today as it was the first time I read it, and the accompanying artwork is beautiful. I can't wait to share this book over the holiday season. In its simplicity and its sincerity, it is a great reminder of what we - regardless of our faith tradition - are celebrating.
Kathleen S
4.0 out of 5 stars What is a life well-lived?
Reviewed in the United States on October 26, 2018
Do you want to live a more meaningful life? What do you think that would entail? Read BROTHER JOHN to help you seek and find the commitment necessary. This is a short book but meant to be reread and meditated about. The prose is inspiring and the illustrations beautiful.
laraffinee
5.0 out of 5 stars What a Beautiful Book!
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2018
This is such a lovely, lovely book! First of all, it is a beautiful story, so tenderly written, about an earnest seeker's experience one Christmas Eve at Mepkin Abbey. It was a transformative experience, which we get to witness through August's artful retelling. The illustrations that accompany the story are so perfectly dreamy and capture the essence of the book so well. This book is now a new Christmas Classic for me. alongside "The Christmas Carol" and "The Night Before Christmas", yet the story is so universal in its message, that it certainly can be enjoyed all year. I highly recommend this book!
Kenny Felder
5.0 out of 5 stars It's insightful, but more than that...it's moving
Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2018
I love a book that gives me insight, a book that makes me think "Huh! I never thought about it that way before!" I read a lot of books like that, including Turak's other book.

But this book does something else that most of those books (including Turak's) don't do: it leaves me with a *feeling*. I'm not a Catholic or even a Christian, but I feel the holiness of the monastery, and the beauty of Brother John's life of selflessness, and the ideal that he represents. And I feel the call--the text is very explicit on this point--we are all called to become that ideal, to reach beyond what we are to what we can be. Somehow that message is there in both the words and the paintings, because it's there in the way the book makes me feel.
CHERYL M Clarke
5.0 out of 5 stars The Meaning of Life Profoundly Simple
Reviewed in the United States on November 26, 2019
First of all I loved the gorgeous paintings that set the stage for a fantastic and artful reading experience. But mostly, because it answered a question I've had for most of my 72 years. When I would be at the doctor's office (there were many, as the love of my life of 52 years left this earth last week- leukemia) or a service related outing, I would be asked, "Do you have any questions?". My flippant answer was, "Yes, can you tell me the meaning of life?" and we would all have a laugh. This book solved the problem and it was so simple. I highly recommend it, you will read it in a sitting, but think about it for days. Grab that beautiful book and find your " magic umbrella ".????
scott morse
5.0 out of 5 stars "his quiet peace and effortless love.... was available to us all"
Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2018
"in the end...we're walking each other home"...Ram Dass
An encounter at a Monastery in the early part of this century on a Christmas Eve, and the events that followed led author August Turak to write an essay about his experience. Subsequently his work was selected from thousands of others submitted to the Templeton Foundation that year as the winner in the Foundation's "Power of Purpose" contest. This book retells the story, and the simple but profound message eventually revealed from the encounter with a Trappist monk on a rainy December evening. Paintings accompanying the pages by well known artist Glenn Harrington meaningfully and thoughtfully accentuate Mr. Turak's experiences and insights. The result is a beautifully produced book that initially reacquaints one with the pathway to a purposeful life, and IMHO, a work that will serve the reader as a source of intellectual and spiritual renewal in years to come.

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