If the pool were still The reflected world Of tottering houses, The falling cities, The quaking mountains Would cohere on the surface And stars invisible To the troubled mind Be seen in water Drawn from the soul's Bottomless well.
The contemplative life
…is to retain indeed with all one’s mind the love of God and neighbour, but to rest from all exterior action, and cleave only to the desire of the Maker, that the mind may now take no pleasure in doing anything, but having spurned all cares, may be aglow to see the face of its Creator; so that it already knows how to bear with sorrow the burden of the corruptible flesh, and with all its desires to seek to join the hymn-singing choirs of angels, to mingle with the heavenly citizens, and to rejoice at its everlasting incorruption in the sight of God.
St Gregory of Nyssa
A Gift
Who else could have imagined a gift so wide and bold, as emptiness abundant for all from young to old? Each home a sudden cloister into which we are installed - take note, this points unswervingly to whom we are now called. Seize the chance to seek release into the real embrace, of that which fills the depth and breadth and height of every space. Stilled England, 2nd April 2020
I Never Saw A Moor – Emily Dickinson
I never saw a moor, I never saw the sea; Yet know I how the heather looks, And what a wave must be. I never spoke with God, Nor visited in heaven; Yet certain am I of the spot As if the chart were given.
Authority
No preacher No professor No policeman Nor police state No prince No president No prime minister Nor pope No general No journalist No expert Nor idol I know No authority But God. Stilled England, 24th March 2020.
I asked for strength
I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health, that I might do greater things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches, that I might be happy. I was given poverty, that I might be wise. I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God. I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life. I was given life, that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for - but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered. I am, among all men, most richly blessed. Prayer of an unknown confederate soldier (1861-3)
There is no fear in love
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 17-19
Mendelssohn’s eightfold path
The good and the beautiful are always with us, no matter how upside down and unpleasant the external human theatrics may seem right now. Spring is arriving, the daffodils are radiant and this piece of music fills my whole being with such bliss. The freshness and hope of a 16 year old composer beams infectiously from these sounds. Joy, youthfulness and freedom are embodied here in just over 30 minutes. It is a most beautiful antidote to the current atmosphere.
God be in my head
God be in my head And in my understanding; God be in myne eyes, And in my looking; God be in my mouth And in my speaking; God be in my heart, And in my thynking; God be at my end, And at my departing. The Sarum Missal (11th century English origin)
The Great Way (for JG)
The Great Way is a humble, solitary path
Leading home;
Follow it closely and be guided.
How do you know when you are on the
Way?
When your map no longer serves you.
Haven Trevino, The Tao of Healing
Being a walking question mark 