Click here for PDF of my favourite poems of John of the Cross and some notes on the stanzas of The spiritual Canticle and chapter notes on The Ascent of Mount Carmel. The Poems are best read in a quiet place. Read slowly – phrase by phrase – until the...
Mindfulness, Meditation, Contemplation
For Solitude
May you recognize in your life the presence, Power and light of your soul. May you realize that you are never alone, That your soul in its brightness and belonging Connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe. May you have respect for your individuality and difference. May...
Devotedness to God brings Perfect Contemplation
From Patanjali’s Meditation Yoga, Translation and Commentary by Vyn Bailey msc SUTRA 45 SAMADHI-SIDDHIH ISVARA-PRANIDHANAT From devotedness to god comes perfection of contemplation SAMADHI contemplation SIDDHI efficiency • attainment • perfection ISVARA lord • ruler • prince • king • God PRANIDHANA devotion • devotedness After a meditation session at...
To Be Love
THE OFFICE OF READINGS – 1st October A reading from the autobiography of St Teresa of the Child Jesus To be love, deep in the heart of the Church I was still being tormented by this question of unfulfilled longings for martyrdom and it was a distraction in my...
The Invitation
When I heard the words of this poem “The Invitation” I heard them as God’s words to me, and by consequence God’s people – humanity’s words to me, and then as I hear God calling me deeper I hear all of creation inviting me to be true. Too often...
Mindfulness and Meditation – Steps to Stillness
APPROACHING STILLNESS When I really love someone I’m deeply attentive to them – disposed to enjoy their presence. What they are thinking and feeling is important to me. When attending to them I may be aware my own thoughts, needs and feelings becoming quiet. I meditate to still my...
Douglas Park & Hartzer Retreats 2011
An Authentic Ring What makes religious teaching seem relevant for us, is when it speaks a language which resonates with our experience. If there’s a good-fitting congruence between what we know from living something and what is expressed to us by others, then something in us goes “ping!!” and...
St John Chrysostom: The five paths of Repentance
St John Chrysostom wrote of the five paths of repentance Shall I list the paths of repentance? There are certainly many of them, many and various, and all of them lead to heaven. CONDEMNATION OF SIN The first path is the path of condemnation of sins. As Isaiah says, Tell...
Challenge
Taken from Osho, The Perfect Master Vol. 2, pp. 307-311 A little struggle is a must. We become richer through the storms–lightning, thunder and sadness–as well as through joy and happiness. I have heard an ancient parable-must be very ancient because God used to live on the earth in...
The Recitation of Jesus’ Name
Sadhana, Anthony de Mello The recitation of Jesus’ name brings us the forgiveness of all our sins. There is a story in India of a king who had murdered his brothers and then, in a mood of repentance, went to a saintly hermit in search of penance and forgiveness....