Pious One with a Hundred Beads on Your Rosary”

  • Any offering to the Divine is accepted if given with sincere longing.

  • The “secret pain” of separation from the Beloved leads one to the “Heart of Hearts.”

  • Source: Abu-Said Abil-Kheir (Sufi mystic).

2. Story: The Fierce Brother Wolf

  • Setting: City of Gubbio, plagued by a violent wolf.

  • Action:

    • St. Francis, moved by compassion, confronts the wolf.

    • Commands it peacefully to cease harming people and animals.

    • Negotiates peace: the townspeople feed the wolf; the wolf stops attacking.

  • Outcome:

    • The wolf becomes gentle, trusted, and beloved by the people.

    • Its transformation symbolizes integrity, reconciliation, and restored trust.

    • At its death, the people mourn him as “their own little brother.”

  • Moral: True danger lies not in outer threats but in inner separation from divine love. Transformation and forgiveness restore peace.

3. Introduction: The Fourth Order of Francis and Clare

  • Nature:

    • A transfaith community inspired by Francis and Clare of Assisi.

    • Inclusive of all traditions—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Indigenous, or non-religious.

  • Purpose:

    • To unite diverse seekers in prayer and shared spiritual renewal.

    • To embody a spirituality beyond institutional boundaries.

  • Historical Context:

    • Rooted in a 13th-century wave of mystic renewal across faiths:

      • Kabbalah (Zohar),

      • Sufi mystics (Shams of Tabriz, Rumi),

      • Indian saints (Kabir, Lalleshwari),

      • Tibetan mystic (Milarepa).

    • Parallels a modern era of spiritual transformation and chaos.

4. Spiritual Framework

  • Chaos Theory Analogy:

    • First, second, and third orders represent evolving patterns of faith.

    • The fourth order exists at the creative edge of chaos—where transformation occurs.

  • Core Principles:

    • Embraces paradox: order and chaos, birth and fire, being and becoming.

    • Values authenticity over idealism.

    • Members are “those chewed on by life,” living from hard-won wisdom.

  • Essence:

    • A state of being—not a goal or status.

    • Identified by humanity, humility, and compassion.

5. Purpose of the Book

  • Offers guidance in “ruthless compassion”—honest, loving self-awareness.

  • Draws from ancient, cross-traditional wisdom for spiritual maturity and unity.

Formation:

Our formation program consists of:

• The use of Doing It Another Way: The Basic Text of the Fourth Order. This text and workbook may be used for both individuals and small groups;
• On-line courses

Chanting Press

The fourth order publishes books through Chanting Press, whose mission it is to publish works of fiction, non fiction, and audio which evoke the great cross cultural wisdom traditions; and that demonstrate the authentic voice which confronts, inspires and enthralls.

Manifestations Literary Journal
Our online literary journal, Manifestation