Genuine wholeness in the spiritual life … requires unflinchingly facing one’s hollowness. The harshness of the desert exacts a stripping away of every chimera and self-delusion for the sake of what is real. “Delight in the truth,” exhorts Donald Nicholl. “Truth tastes better with each illusion that evaporates.” The Solace of Fierce Landscapes, Belden C.Continue reading “whole: day 3”
Tag Archives: Brian Draper
Under a Sap Moon (Vernal Equinox 2021)
What needs to go? What like the seasons is preparing to shed, or to grow. is silent yet in the earth? To reflect, make three columns with your paper and ink: Then walk through the garden of your life, with full attentiveness. Take part in your practice, with your arms raised like the trees, thatContinue reading “Under a Sap Moon (Vernal Equinox 2021)”
Sunday 4
Joy is hidden in compassion. The word compassion literally means ‘to suffer with’. It seems quite unlikely that suffering with another person would bring joy. Yet being with a person in pain, offering simple presence to someone in despair, sharing with a friend times of confusion and uncertainty … such experiences can bring us deepContinue reading “Sunday 4”
day 21
Your green all dissipated and dissolved, you part company with freshness and sap, suddenly alone and falling. Down and down, lower you swoop, till the ground greets you. Different colours are yours now, burnished golds and reds, as though the sunset of your days has painted itself on your canvas. The light shines through yourContinue reading “day 21”
day 20
In the film Dead Poets Society, Robin William’s character, Mr Keating, provides an aspirational figure for the boys he teaches … In an iconic moment, Keating climbs on his desk, to the bemusement of his pupils, and begins to speak: ‘Why do I stand up here? Anybody … ? […] I stand upon my deskContinue reading “day 20”
hallowing sight
(all images by Kate Kennington Steer) I ignore all the ridiculousness around Halloween, the dressing up, the tricks and treats, but I do quietly celebrate the three days of All Hallows, All Souls and All Saints. These days form the bridge from October to November, signalling the beginning of the end of Autumn light andContinue reading “hallowing sight”
Autumn Equinox: gathering gold
(all images by Kate Kennington Steer) As a photographer and visual artist I sub-consciously take note of the level, type, angle, and colour of light throughout the day, month, season, year. Yet in the past few months I have been trying to be more attuned to my feelings about the changing light rhythms that makeContinue reading “Autumn Equinox: gathering gold”
image into ikon 