Siddhartha and Govinda

Quoth Siddhartha: "What should I possibly have to tell you, oh venerable one? Perhaps that you're searching far too much? That in all that searching, you don't find the time for finding?" "How come?" asked Govinda. "When someone is searching," said Siddhartha, "then it might easily happen that the only thing his eyes still see … Continue reading Siddhartha and Govinda

Lear and Eurydice

Who is it that can tell me who I am?' King Lear's baffled and angry cry comes as he begins to recognise that what has hitherto 'told' him who he was – the attitudes of those around him, the visible trappings of power – has vanished. We rely on all sorts of things to tell … Continue reading Lear and Eurydice

The Kingdom

When you say Yes to the Kingdom things once felt indispensable slip by. One by one (hardly noticeable at first) you see them slip away… All that you held on to, possessed, claimed, somehow disappears, melts into another horizon whilst you are busy with the new. You do not notice, until, in panic, you feel … Continue reading The Kingdom

Prayer of St Manchan

My wish, O Son of the Living God, ancient eternal King, is for a secret hut as my dwelling in the wilderness. Grey shallow water at its side; a clear pool for the cleansing of sins by the grace of the Holy Spirit. A lovely wood close by, around it at every side, to foster … Continue reading Prayer of St Manchan

Addiction and Grace

After twenty years of listening to the yearnings of people's hearts, I am convinced that all human beings have an inborn desire for God. Whether we are consciously religious or not, this desire is our deepest longing and out most precious treasure. It gives us meaning. Some of us have repressed this desire, burying it … Continue reading Addiction and Grace

Eugene Peterson: quotes from The Contemplative Pastor

“My job is not to solve people's problems or make them happy, but to help them see the grace operating in their lives. It’s hard to do because our whole culture is going in the other direction, saying that if you’re smart enough and get the right kind of help, you can solve all your … Continue reading Eugene Peterson: quotes from The Contemplative Pastor

American Beauty

It was one of those days when it's a minute away from snowing and there's this electricity in the air, you can almost hear it, right? And this bag was like, dancing with me. Like a little kid begging me to play with it. For fifteen minutes. And that's the day I knew there was … Continue reading American Beauty

Falling in love

I was given this quote from Fr Pedro Arrupe, sj this morning. Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in … Continue reading Falling in love