Understanding Islam
Hans Küng, the noted Swiss Catholic theologian, once said, 'Until there is peace between religions there can be no peace in the world.' In our current world, where religious tensions seem so fraught, I have sought, as a Christian, to reflect on what Christ's demand to 'love my neighbour ' means in this context. Certainly, for me, loving my neighbour must encompass understanding, respecting and seeking the good of the other. I would hope that others would seek to properly und
Spiritual Life & Our Images of God
If we are a follower of a spiritual path then our images of God (or the sacred) are key. When we try to pray, we must have some idea of God in our minds, and this idea will influence how we pray and whether we pray. It will also influence our behaviour and ethics, often without our conscious awareness. Why Our Images of God Matter But our images of God are not the same as our ideas about God. Inner images are pictures not abstract ideas; they are a powerful combination of tho
Praying with Art: Image, Symbol, and the Inner Life
Many people discover that words alone are not always enough in prayer. There are seasons when images, colour, movement, and symbol speak more truthfully to what is stirring within us. Praying with art offers a way of listening and responding that engages the whole person — body, imagination, and soul — and can open us to God in unexpectedly gentle and revealing ways. Art as a Way of Prayer Art can be a wonderful way of communicating with God beyond words — both listening and
Spiritual Abuse
This article was first written in early 2016, when spiritual abuse was rarely named or understood in the UK. At that time, survivors often lacked language, validation, or frameworks to make sense of what they had experienced. While much excellent work has since emerged, I keep this piece as a foundational overview of the dynamics involved — particularly for those encountering the term for the first time. What Is Spiritual Abuse? Spiritual abuse is a much under discussed subje
Lectio Divina: Listening With the Ear of the Heart
In a culture shaped by speed, information, and analysis, many people long for a way of encountering scripture that is slower, more intimate, and more prayerful. Lectio Divina offers such a way — inviting us not to master the text, but to listen for how God may be addressing us through it, here and now. What Is Lectio Divina? Lectio Divina is an ancient contemplative way to read short passages of sacred text and prayerfully let God speak through them into our lives. Its origin
Spiritual Life and Listening: Learning to Hear With the Heart
Listening to the Holy, listening to others, and listening to ourselves are all vital to the spiritual life. Yet true listening requires courage and vulnerability, for deep listening does not leave us unchanged. To listen attentively is to allow ourselves to be moved, disturbed, and sometimes transformed by what we hear. Silence and the Art of Listening Br David Steindl-Rast — the Benedictine monk and writer — reminds us that 'Without silence there can be no listening.' As I
Silent Mind, Holy Mind: A Christmas Reflection Across Traditions
Looking through the eyes of another can bring into fresh focus those things familiarity can too easily obscure. So, at this Christmas time I share some reflections on the birth and teachings of Jesus Christ as offered by the Tibetan Buddhist teacher Lama Yeshe (1935–1984) from talks he gave in the Christmases of 1971-74 when first encountering Western students in Kathmandu.* Although disenchanted with the Christianity of their homelands, and seeking alternative answers in Bud
What is Prayer? Why is it important in the Spiritual Life?
Prayer lies at the heart of the spiritual life, yet it is often misunderstood, reduced to technique, obligation, or belief. Beneath these layers, prayer speaks to something more fundamental — our human capacity to turn toward the mystery that gives rise to us, sustains us, and calls us into transformation. This reflection explores what prayer is, and why it remains essential if our spiritual life is to become lived and embodied rather than merely believed. Prayer as a Human I
Struggling with Prayer : A Psychological Perspective
Many people experience prayer as unexpectedly difficult — especially at moments when they most long for comfort, clarity, or closeness to God. Rather than assuming this difficulty is a failure of faith or discipline, it can be helpful to look more carefully at the inner dynamics that shape our prayer life. This reflection explores some of the psychological patterns that may quietly influence our openness to prayer, often without our awareness. When Prayer Feels Most Difficult
Spiritual Life and Our Emotions: A Contemplative Way of Being
Having looked at some of the benefits and challenges of our emotions in the spiritual life and journey, we can now explore some practical ancient ways of meditative prayer to facilitate this process. The key is to find, and rest in, a place of undefended awareness where we can open to the divine with intention of heart in the midst of our emotional turmoil; returning again and again to the unconditional divine embrace that offers us this freedom of heart. So, below, I explor
