書名：沙漠教父-
作者：谷倫神父(Anselm Grün) 翻譯：鄭玉英
嚴惠惠 & Paula Leung 的讀後感
在學校教授宗教課已廿載，近年潛修輔導課程，在學習過程中，我理解了基本諮商輔導的技巧，更喜歡谷倫神父(Anselm Grün)的著作，他寫的文章往往教我貫通聖經與諮商的一脈相承，獲益良多。
今天走進旺角的聖保祿書局，再被谷倫神父(Anselm Grün)的著書吸引，這本「沙漠教父-
教授宗教、諮商輔導及個人靈修互有共通關係，靈修陪伴更是高一層次，然而，確有參考的價值。書中的首章讓讀者清楚理解作者以靈修教父對隱修士的提示作根本，指引我們靈修的意義。第二章-
「靈修指導的藝術」給我重溫諮商輔導的技巧，這也同樣可說是宗教老師應具備的特點，在這章內，我可檢視自己在過去與受助者又或學生們的溝通技巧是否恰當，在最後的一章作者更直接展示協助受助者克服生命創傷和危機的方法，內容清晰明確，實在是精神治療的滴。
我嘗試以心靈的修煉解釋「靈修」這兩字，靈修陪伴比諮商輔導及宗教課的教授更深入、更聚焦，然而，它卻可把我帶往更高的境界，不但讓我在工作上懂得繼續向前邁進，也同時增進了我個人改善生活的力量。在書中不單提醒我是天主的肖像，天主居於我心，也重申天主的寬仁教我接受自己的不完善，並勇於面對錯誤，樂於和天主合作，在生活中發揮天主給我的獨特使命。
當天我憑著一份熱誠期望能開始學以所用，助人立業，然而，書內的兩句話給我很好的警醒：「為醫者須先醫好自己。」(Apo1007號)，「不要太早教導別人，否則你的智識永遠不會發展。」((Apo1082號)。它指出靈修父親必須充滿聖神，並懂得洞察人心。這些話語讓我深深領略到聖神帶引我們生活的重要，通過聖神先作自我的修煉，掌握「心神沉靜」的特質，敞開自己克服心靈的黑暗，再以健康快樂的心為人服務，這一定會有更大的成果。
記得在學習諮商輔導的初期導師問我：「你為何對那事件作出如此大的反應呀？」那刻，我莫名其妙，不明他為何有此一言，但這書所示的「心神沉靜」提醒我要脫免於所有激情，這便可「對求助者完全開放，並能夠感受到求助者透過其言談和肢體所表達的意涵。」這刻我才感到明悟。人不冷靜，怎能細心思考，作出正確判斷，我們生活在這社會內，每天遇到的事件何其精采，培養「心神沉靜」確需要不斷操練與提醒，「誰能細看並明白自己的思想和感覺，就能兔於受這些思想和感覺擺布。」這一份提醒教我好好學習處理自己的思緒，先為自己的個人成長奠好基礎。
書中所說：「保祿說基督成為厄弗所人之父，因為祂將智慧的奧祕示給他們，但祂也是格林多人之母，因為祂給他們奶喝。」這句話教老師勿忘因材施教，諮商師要先了解受助者的心智狀況，並選擇合適的說話方式處理問題。我更欣賞書中所說天主包括父性與母性，作為天主兒女的我們，當然也同樣要學好利用自己個人內在的父性與母性，在不同的需要下運用出來。效法天主，便能生活得更完善。
效法耶穌，教我學懂良善待人，我耶穌說：『我是良善心謙的』，書中不單提醒我耶穌的說話，還教我們不判斷別人，這一概念與諮商輔導的理念基本相同，然而，作為一位天主教徒，這內容讓我更有方向地跟耶穌學習，使我在困惑時也懂得堅持振作，因我知道這是天主所喜悅的。
每位天主的信徒都應學習靈修，這書不但提醒我在生活中去感受天主與我的關係，更開啟我的智慧，讓我在諮商輔導的工作上能更清晰自己的所思所行，我也深信書中的智慧也能協助宗教科任老師點起他們的心火，確認自己之所信，把天主的訊息傳給「有耳聽的」人。
(Translated from the Chinese version above)
Title of book: Desert Fathers-
Author: Fr Anselm Grün Translator: Cheng Yuk Ying
Having taught Religious Studies in school for twenty years, I concentrate in studying counselling in recent years. During the process, I have learnt the basic techniques of consultation and counselling and this makes me love the writings of Fr Anselm Grün more. I benefit a lot from his writings since they often teach me to link up Scripture with consultation as both share the same thread of thoughts.
Today I went into St Paul Bookstore in Mongkok and again was attracted by the books of Fr Anselm Grün. Desert Fathers-
Teaching Religious Studies, consultation and counselling, personal spirituality are interrelated. Spiritual accompaniment is of an even higher level and indeed has reference value. From the first chapter of the book, readers clearly understand that the author, with the guidelines given by the desert fathers to the hermits as the foundation, guides us into the meaning of spirituality. The second chapter, ‘Prerequisites of the Spiritual Fathers’, teaches us that, being a consultant or a religious studies teacher, one cannot forget the formation of one’s own personality and virtues. With the third chapter, ‘the Art of Spiritual Direction’, I review the techniques of consultation and counselling with which religious studies teachers should also be familiar and re-
I attempt to use formation of the mind to explain spirituality. Spiritual accompaniment, when compared with consultation and counselling and religious studies, is deeper and more focus. Moreover, it can guide me to a horizon more transcendent. I then know how to advance in my work and also to enhance my ability to improve my way of living. The book repeatedly reminds me that I am the image of God who dwells in me. It reiterates that the mercy of God teaches me to accept my own imperfection, be brave enough to face my own mistakes, be willing to cooperate with God and live out the unique vocation God has given me.
While I am enthusiastic to apply what I have learnt and eager to assist others in career development, the book contains two very good warnings to me: ‘A healer must first heals himself’ (Apo 1007), ‘Don’t be too quick to teach others, otherwise you will never grow in your own wisdom’ (Apo 1082). The book points out that the spiritual fathers must be filled with the Holy Spirit and able to read the minds of others. These words touch me deeply and make me realise the importance of the guidance of the Holy Spirit in my daily life. Through the Holy Spirit a person first starts his own self-
He opens himself so as to overcome his inner darkness. Then be begins to serve others in a healthier and happier manner. This will surely be more fruitful.
I recall that at the early stage of my course in consultation and counselling, my tutor once asked me, ‘Why did you react so strongly to that matter?’ At that moment, I was at a loss and did not understand why he had asked such a question. However, ‘the inner quietness’ mentioned in this book has reminded me to be free from all passions. Then I can be ‘fully open to the clients and able to understand the meanings of their spoken words and body languages’. I feel enlightened. If a person does not remain calm, he will not be able to think clearly and make correct judgement. In our daily life in this society, there are many wonderful events. To cultivate ‘inner quietness’ does need constant exercises and reminders. ‘If you can see clearly and understand your own thoughts and feelings, you will be free from the manipulation of these thoughts and feelings.’ This reminds me to learn to deal with my own thoughts and to lay down a good foundation for personal growth.
In the book, it is said, ‘Paul says that Christ has become the father of all Ephesians because He reveals to them the mystery of Wisdom. However He is also the mother of all Corinthians because He has given them milk to drink.’ It means that a teacher must teach in accordance with the endowment of each individual student. A consultant must first understand the psychological conditions of his client and choose an appropriate dialogue mode to deal with the matter. I am greatly impressed by what is said in the book that God is both paternal and maternal. We, as the children of God, should also learn to make good use of our inner paternal and maternal nature under different circumstances. We live a better life by imitating God.
By imitating Jesus, I learn to be kind to others. Jesus says that He is kind and humble. The book not only reminds us of the teachings of Jesus but also teaches us not to judge others. This notion is basically the same as that in consultation and counselling. However, as a Catholic, I can learn more from Jesus. I learn to persevere even when in doubt as I know this is what God is delighted in.
Every Catholic should have spirituality formation. This book reminds me to, in daily life, experience my relationship with God. It also opens my mind so that I know my thoughts and acts better while I am performing my consultation and counselling work. I believe that the wisdom in this book can also assist religious studies teachers in arousing their enthusiasm, affirming their convictions, spreading the goods news of God to ‘those who have ears’.