I was made for Afternoons

Dom Henri Le Saux, later to take the hindu name Abhishiktananda, is my next spiritual friend.  A little known hermit, his influence is felt through much of the work of Bede Griffiths and other teachers of contemplation. Abhishiktananda was a Benedictine monk from the A bbey of Sainte Anne de Kergonan  in Brittany, France.  In his late 30's he travelled to India to form a Benedictine community with J ules Monchanin . Their aim was to have a monastic community in the style of an Indian ashram. This would have been a progressive idea now ( Bede Griffiths did do it with some success) but in 1950 it was a miracle it was even thought of ! The idea failed somewhat (Until Bede took over the community) with Abhishiktanda spending much time traveling around India and immersing himself in Indian spirituality,  spending extended periods in silence and solitude. Abhishiktananda opened his heart to the world and spent time dialoguing with people (esp. Anglican missionary Murray Rogers ) of all ...

I thought I might write a short series of posts about Spiritual Friends - those writers and people who have influenced my spiritual growth and contributed to my search for God. Henri Nouwen, the Dutch Catholic  priest,  was the first writer who really captured my imagination about what it meant to be a spiritual being and take the search for God seriously.  I can see my life in both before and after discovering Nouwen stages! My dad suggested I read "Genesee Diary: Report from a Trappist Monastery" with the words. "I think you'll like this. If you do you won't be able to put it down and then you'll want to read all his books!". He was right. I counsumed the book in about two days and then began buying/borrowing/scrounging for more! Loads has been written about Nouwen, and you can get lots of information from the society website. His personal influence in my life really falls into three  - disciplines, community, and freedom.  Disciplines : Henri was big...

Actually its a cab sav from Stonyfell wines. Nice little drop and nice to be able to have a drop of vino at lunch.... I have been reading about listening to Tom Merton this morning.  Lots has been said about him over the years of course, and by much brighter folk than me.  The attraction for me has always been a bit broader than just his monastic persona, wonderful and full of depth as it is.  I love the beat/poet/count-cultureness of Merton.  His dialogues with Joan Baez for instance.  Listening to Dylan and singing along. Coltrane too. Reading Lenny Bruce. Merton writing about the peace movement. Loved this Psalm by Merton. It encourages me to take both the contemplative and artistic paths seriously.   Night Psalm Be still Listen to the stones of the wall Be silent, they try To speak your Name. Listen To the living walls. Who are you? Who Are you? Whose Silence are you? Who (be quiet) Are you (as these stones Are quiet). Do not Think of what you are Still less of What you may one da...