After praying and reflecting this blog is the first step in the next part in the story that is unfolding. If that seems vague it is because it is - somewhat! The beginning of something is often very precious. There is no moment like the one where you are bringing all your creative energies into play and you are imagining a path or a future or an outcome. If the task has been undertaken with some care and some love then there is a sense of attachment and hope. If the task is in any way public then there is that self-reflective doubt, that self-conscious navel gaze where you look at yourself and wonder what on earth you think you are doing and why - will it be useful, will it make a positive difference, what's the point of yet another blog out there in the www? The self-conscious mind is a noisy, cluttered rabbit warren. Part of the reason for this blog is that I want to explore with others what is beyond the rabbit warren.
The other reasons are that having found time and space in my life I have been drawn (yet again) both inexorably to a life of balance, silence and contemplation but also to sharing this path with others in community. I have no idea how that works, silence and community together. As I consider our fragmented, busy, disconnected lives with competing demands and the cacophony of materialism and techno-mediated connection it seems outrageous and fanciful that we human beings can ever again find that space of connection and peace with others, ourselves and our Creator. Yet we each have a voice, we each have a path and we are made for relationship and connection that is whole and good. So there must be a way. I realise that in Christian terms the way is the Christ. What interests me is the lived daily practise of that way which brings forth the fruit of freedom and joy. Over many years, interwoven in the weft and warp of being a daughter, friend, nurse, wife, mother, musician, artist and priest I have been studying writings on silence and contemplation from the desert mothers and fathers, medieval scholastics and mystics, reformation theologians and modern authors from various Christian and other religious persuasions. I have also delved into the Christian scriptures to engage with what they reveal about prayer, contemplation and silence. All these writings speak of a way grounded in practise and modelled by others so much more experienced and wise than I am. In many ways this has been a life-long journey and this is just the next part. This blog is just one way for me, and perhaps others, to reflect and share. It is a way to have a voice and to reach out. It is a way to put my thoughts on 'paper' and record reflections. I could, I guess, do a phd, or write a book, but I value your engagement, whatever it is, this day and every day. And this is a good first step. If you have read this far the plan ahead is to post something regularly on the themes of silence, contemplation and balance. Sometimes I will quote from books or scripture. Sometimes I will post photos, videos or music. Sometimes I will share my own experience, thoughts, musings and questions. In the place of beginning.... Peace __________________________________________ "My life flows on in endless song; Above earth's lamentation, I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn That hails a new creation; Thro' all the tumult and the strife I hear the music ringing; It finds an echo in my soul-- How can I keep from singing?"
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Rebecca Newland:
Exploring balance, silence and contemplative living Archives
November 2016
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