Enter The Castle

. Enter the castle By prayer and reflection . Inhabit each room Through divine meditation . The door of life Opens . And before Is the way . Of wisdom Of love . Of your soul’s Salvation.  . Inspired by https://carmelitequotes.blog/2018/12/20/advent-20-key/ 

Research Poetry

A few years ago, I noticed that I was getting inspired to write by what I read.  This is not an uncommon experience for writers, of course, and if it is just copying then it is called plagiarism! Hoever, T.S. Eliot wrote that: “...we shall often find that not only the best, but the most …

Bow to the Light – Celebrating Benedictine Spirituality on 11th July

~ Bow to the light You see in the other ~ With eyes Of faith ~ And heart Of brother ~ Bow to neighbour Bow to stranger ~ Pray for enemy And friend ~ Bow as if to father Mother ~ But bow to the light You perceive in another. ~ On July 11th, Benedict …

What is there beyond the bridge?

~ What is there Beyond the bridge? ~ We see Through reflection ~ Only darkly But then ~ We shall see Face to face ~ Without need Of contemplation ~ What there is Beyond the bridge. ~ Painting by Kevin Smith, an artist in North Shropshire

Spiritual Reflection: It Costs Your Life

Committing to a spiritual life has consequences for the whole of life.  Considering the implications is helpful to lay deep foundations, to help you through the inevitable low times, and to give balance in the highs. Impressed by another's spirituality, a man immediately declared he wished to copy his lifestyle.  But the other was cautious... …

Spiritual Reflection: What is the call of your defining moments?

Something made you start on the spiritual way...or perhaps that point is in the future for you?  People sometimes talk about “defining moments” in their lives: what have been some the most defining moments of life for you? For me, it was reading John’s Gospel when I was 19.  A friend had recently died, and …

Pools of Reflection

~ Create those pools Of reflection . Those spaces Of silent emptiness . Where love may fill The quietness . With God And resurrection. ~ "Spaces of silent reflection"

Reflections on The Poverello (8) – Facing Your Fears

We all react to crises in many different ways.  I have noticed how members of religious orders, perhaps unsurprisingly, have been able to offer very clear positive attitudes during the Pandemic.  Many people in religious orders are used to solitude, silence, contemplation – and I was very struck by one post by a nun about …

Reflections on The Poverello (7): Kindess for a Stranger

The Little Flowers of St. Francis does not portray all of the first Franciscans as saints.  There is realism about human nature which helps to remind us that although Francis of Assisi himself was clearly an extraordinary person, many others were quite normal, recognisable human beings with normal, recognisable human faults! One of the stories …

The Spiritualities of Christianity: The Power of Mysticism

Sometimes an ancient tradition reinvigorates modern life. Many people have found this with contemplative prayer and Christian mysticism in general. For me, it was a discovery of the depths of inner life possible through prayer - a discovery of the power of silence and stillness, in contrast to a contemporary world that is hectic, instant …