Hart’s reflections on Christian contemplation provoke the very movements of soul they invoke. In reading them, the soul takes flight from the lands of unlikeness.

Church Life Journal

Lucidly written and comprehensive in scope, Kevin Hart's book on contemplation reflects both his erudition as a scholar and his sophistication as a contemplative practitioner. He moves gracefully between philosophical and theological histories and then back to possibilities for practice in the reader's present. Philosophy forged in the mind of a poet, as Hart's readers have come to expect.

- Cassandra Falke, Arctic University of Norway,

In this wonderful book, Hart shows us the centrality of contemplation in human life and presents an account of its history. He takes us on a journey from an ancient Syrian monk’s writings to the importance of practicing contemplation in the contemporary world, bringing in examples from many religions along the way. This is essential reading for anyone interested in thinking and practice that are oriented toward something beyond us.

- Gavin Flood, professor of Hindu studies and comparative religion, Oxford University,