3. St Anthony's Pool [Read parts I and II] It is early morning, Summer 1991, the gardens of a college-turned-retreat house on the western edge of London. The Heathrow-bound air-traffic screams deafeningly low overhead, heading for touch-down. I am praying beside a goldfish pond. I know that if I am still and patient the fish … Continue reading Evanescence (III)
Category: Being alive
The last day of your life
'So what is significant?' 'That today might be the last day of your life.' George Ivanovich laughed mockingly. 'But doesn't everyone know that?! Everyone knows that today could be the end of it all!' The man in the turban paused. 'Everyone knows it my friend. But not everyone feels it. Everyone knows it as a … Continue reading The last day of your life
How to find God in the humblest of things (V)
Being in God's story is hard for humans because we can never know the meaning. The meaning is in the being, not the understanding. Everything you need is already given. Do not try to invent or create a life where you will feel really alive. Live.
How to find God in the humblest of things (IV)
You are part of something unimaginably bigger than you. You can have little or no idea what that is about. It is above your pay-grade. You are a single letter in the book of God's story. Each particle of this world is your sister or brother because we are all born of the same star; … Continue reading How to find God in the humblest of things (IV)
How to find God in the humblest of things (III)
This morning I stand in the warm rays of the morning Sun – about 94 million miles, or 8 light minutes, away. All the atoms in this body yearn for their primal home, this Sun. So does my soul yearn for You, O God. [Look out for part IV tomorrow.]
How to find God in the humblest of things (II)
What is the meaning of life? What is my life about? What does God want me to do? These are questions many of us ask, especially as life progresses, we get older, perhaps hit middle age, realise that life does not become clearer with age, and we begin to think about death. We want our … Continue reading How to find God in the humblest of things (II)
How to find God in the humblest of things (I)
God reveals himself to the humble in the humblest of things, while the great who never penetrate beneath the surface do not discover him even in great events. de Caussade, p.5 6.51am Why am I sitting at this screen rather than walking out into the morning? I often do this. I am casting about for … Continue reading How to find God in the humblest of things (I)
Boredom: guardian of the Temple (part 3)
Not exactly waiting for someone else, he is, as it were, waiting for himself. Adam Phillips, On Kissing, Tickling and Being Bored, p.72 If you are bored, your mind is wandering—away from you—its rightful purpose. Gail Sher, One Continuous Mistake p.30 You long for yourself. Distractions are substitutes, looking for something to fill a hole, … Continue reading Boredom: guardian of the Temple (part 3)
Relax!
Relaxation is often presented as the beginning of prayer – what to do to get started. Then you are cajoled into the attempt to get elsewhere. This is to miss the point. Relaxation is not the antechamber of the temple. To relax is to pray. It is the temple. It is the return to this … Continue reading Relax!
Thomas and Friends
I was listening to a patient (RIP 7 June) this morning talking about how useless she feels just lying in bed all day without anything to do, feeling guilty that everyone is looking after her, being so kind, and that she can't help anyone in return. I was reminded of the stories of Thomas the … Continue reading Thomas and Friends