Good book for Buddhist fallen-away Catholic adult child?

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Can anyone recommend a good Catholic book (or article or essay) to share with our 24 year old son who was raised Catholic but has drifted away and is now Buddhist?
He is intelligent, an avid reader, and he is agreeable to open debate and discussion with us (his parents)… we’ve agreed to share books etc back and forth.
St. Monica, pray for us!
Thank you,
Scott and Ann
 
Greetings and welcome to CAF. I cannot recommend any books, but have you tried the Catholic Answers website? (Catholic.com). I just looked and they have several articles that relate to Buddhism. I would suggest that you go to the site, type in “Buddhism” in the search feature and it will return the articles. I’d link some myself but I cannot link from my phone.

I will pray for you.

Pax
 
This is where someone like Thomas Merton or Richard Rohr might help. While they may not seem Catholic enough for some, they can appeal to non Christians and lead them to Christ.
 
There is a romantic and exotic appeal to the mystical aura of eastern religions… I’ve been there. I’m inclined to steer you towards Catholicism’s own mystics such as St. John of the Cross, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Catherine of Siena, etc.

Regrettably, I have yet to dive into their works sufficiently enough to make any recommendations with confidence. However, something tells me that “Dark Night of the Soul,” by St. John of the Cross may appeal to the intellect that seeks a spititual depth and insight well beyond the standard traditions that many Catholics have come to be defined by.
 
yes, it would be good to know what interests him about Buddhism.
 
Back in 2006 I read a book by Paul Williams entitled, The Unexpected Way: On Converting from Buddhism to Catholicism. This Paul Williams is not the diminutive composer, but a professor of Indian philosophy in Bristol. You can read about him here:

whyimcatholic.com

Buddhist Convert: Paul Williams

Buddhist Convert Paul Williams Paul Williams is a Catholic convert from Buddhism, lay Dominican, and professor at the University of Bristol. He is mar...
whyimcatholic.com whyimcatholic.com

His is but one man’s journey from Buddhism to Catholicism, and his reasoning may or may not resonate with your son, but hopefully it will help.
 
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The best book for him to read is your lives, the good works and love and joy you live in front of him
 
I’d go with Merton. There’s been some serious questions raised about Rohr, including by one of the priests who posted here in the past.

Of course, it’s possible the person is already familiar with Merton. If so, then I’d say “The Interior Castle” by St. Teresa of Avila.
 
It all depends on why the interest n Buddhism. I don’t think anything very traditional would be welcomed.
 
I agree. Right now I’m reading a book entitled, Spirit, Soul, Body, by Cyprian Consiglio. He treats the Eastern nonChristan religions with great respect, but shows how Christianity transcends and completes them, when properly understood, and aided, of course, by grace.

He focuses specifically on Bede Griffiths, who immersed himself in the Hindu and Buddhist culture of India and still remained true to his Catholic faith, and Teilhard de Chardin, who immersed himself in the world of science without losing his faith, as so many other outspoken scientists and physicists have done.

Maybe a book like this will appeal to him.
 
Thank all of you for your (name removed by moderator)ut, and prayers.
To be honest, we’re not entirely sure of all of the reasons Buddhism has attracted him but we do know that he has struggled with depression since high school, and he got into meditation as a way to deal with that rather than relying on drugs- and it has helped him. He also does question things deeply and is seeking a meaningful spiritual life.
We have heard of Thomas Merton, and he may well appeal to our son, though Merton gives us some concern because (and please correct me if I’m wrong) at the end of his life he stated he was going to be the best Buddhist he could be, or something to that effect. On the other hand, Pope Francis has praised him for building bridges and dialogue between faiths.
Christofirst, that Cyprian Consiglio book you mention sounds intriguing, we had not heard of him or that book- we’ll look into that.
Again God bless all of you and thank you.
 
scottk1 said:
We have heard of Thomas Merton, and he may well appeal to our son, though Merton gives us some concern because (and please correct me if I’m wrong) at the end of his life he stated he was going to be the best Buddhist he could be, or something to that effect.
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Don’t let that concern you. Buddhism is more of a mental hygiene than it is a religion. I am sure people will argue against that statement. But unless one is bowing to a bhodisattva or something it is all meditation, compassion and even more Dying to self than Christianity.
 
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