Experiments In Silence

One of the books that had a profound influence on me in my earlier years of following Jesus was 'The Way of a Pilgrim.' For those who don't know it, it is a Nineteenth Century work recording the pilgrimage of a young man across Ukraine, Russian and Siberia. He has been struck by St Paul's words in 1Thessalonians 5:17 to '... pray without ceasing' and the book records his inner and outer journey to discover what that means using what is now known as the Jesus Prayer, '... Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner...' The prayer has been important to my own spiritual journey, to the point that I say the prayer regularly, and my purple stole (worn in the penitential seasons of the Church year) has the words of the prayer appliqued on it. ~~~ As I set out on my walk this morning I decided that I would pray the Jesus prayer as I went. I get the most out of the prayer by doing one of the exercises the the pilgrim is given in th...

Today I am starting a new blog. When I began blogging over 10 years ago, it was a means to capture thoughts and particularly to archive sermons and other theological writings. I am not sure whether that format will continue or not. I have been called to explore silence for some time now, but only latterly have I really named that call. It began with me feeling drawn to retreat with the Benedictine community at Alton Abbey. The rhythm of life of a Benedictine is still a real draw. I am naturally an introvert, and I have noticed that, to sustain myself and ensure my own wellbeing, the need to withdraw and especially enter into periods of silence is increasingly important and renewing.  Parish ministry is simultaneously rewarding and demanding. A regular walk, sometimes in silence and sometimes alone, with the dog has been a bedrock of my weekly routine. I started writing this piece this morning in the Lady Chapel of one of the church buildings in the parish. At the...