In the Coracle

Partaking of a Contemplative Reality

March 22nd, 2009, No Comments

The poet Kathleen Norris writes,

Like all who choose life in the slow lane – sailors, monks, farmers – I partake of a contemplative reality. Living close to such an expanse of land I find I have little incentive to move fast, little need of instant information. I have learned to trust the processes that take [...]

The Practice of Becoming Silent

September 30th, 2008, No Comments

More tidbits from Anthony Bloom, a Russian Orthodox doctor/priest/monk in Great Britain and Ireland. This comes from page 94 of “Beginning to Pray” (Anthony Bloom).

[This sense of the presence of God] can be reached only if we learn a certain amount of silence. Begin with the silence of the lips, with the silence of the [...]

Preparation for Silence

September 29th, 2008, No Comments

More tidbits from Anthony Bloom, a Russian Orthodox doctor/priest/monk in Great Britain and Ireland. This comes from page 91-2 of “Beginning to Pray” (Anthony Bloom).

Real silence is something extremely intense, it has density and it is really alive.
[When preparing to pray] It is essential to be alert and alive, and at the same time still [...]

Laser Monks: Printer Toner and Contemplative Prayer

July 24th, 2008, 2 Comments

Ahh, those of us in the web-driven world and those of us in who practice contemplative prayer should all check out this blog post about the Laser Monks.
Monasteries all over the world have been self-supporting for centuries, and the practice of monks running a small business is nothing new. Most of them, however, don’t end [...]

Reading Plans and Prayer Rhythm Help

January 2nd, 2008, No Comments

Often around the first of the year, zealous Christians put together their Bible Reading Plans for the year. I usually do it, and then about February, I crap out and quit (strangely, this often coincides with the time I need to read a few chapters of Leviticus a day). Or I get to [...]

On Integrity

May 23rd, 2007, 2 Comments

I found this quote in tomorrow’s reading (I don’t know what day of the week it is when I pick this book up early in the morning, sue me… :)) from Celtic Daily Prayer.
It speaks well of the desire for integrity – for the private and public life, the inner and outer life, the “spiritual” [...]

Quote: Why I Journal

May 4th, 2007, 1 Comment

This sweet quote comes from Dave Jacobs, a church planter and coach who has recently started a really nice web resource and brief email at smallchurchpastor.com
“I practice journaling because I believe in meditation. I practice meditation because I believe in prayer. I practice prayer because I believe in God. Spiritual journaling is not the same [...]

Lectio, John 12, on the Bus

April 2nd, 2007, 2 Comments

This morning I rode the bus EARLY so that I could finish my work and leave early to go to Mariners Opening Day with three friends.
I was reading J. Philip Newell’s excellent book on Celtic spirituality Listening for the Heartbeat of God for my upcoming trip to Celtic lands, and took a break from that [...]

Prayer on Discernment When I Don’t Know Where I’m Going (Thomas Merton)

November 28th, 2006, No Comments

While reading the new book Plastic Jesus by Eric Sandras (author of Buck Naked Faith), I found this awesome prayer.  It comes from Trappist monk Thomas Merton.

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.  I do not see the road ahead of me.  I cannot know for certain where it will end.  [...]