The Emperor has no clothes - ‘no peeking’

June 18th, 2008
Survival
Reported from Washington:
Dick Cheney has an extended meeting in Lafayette Square, ‘a block away’ as they say in those parts from the White House.
While George W is flying the world saying his farewells (still muttering his invasive threats to latest enemy, Iran) comfort: his side kick is not idle.
Working companies in the National Grange Building that overlooks Lafayette were taken aback this week by an ultimatum delivered by their landlord. These include the After School Alliance, the International Center for Journalists as well as Redbrick Partners Real Estate. The Dictat read:
‘At the request of the Secret Service, we have been advised that ALL east-facing windows (those looking out towards Lafayette Park) MUST be closed with BLINDS DOWN beginning Tuesday evening, June 17 until after Wednesday, June 18. It is further requested that we do not disturb the blinds when they are down - in other words, no peeking…’
Under the quizzical strap heading YOUR GOVERNMENT AT WORK. NO PEEKING. The Washington Post picked up the story to advise ‘the Secret Service never explains its “building management”: the White House too declined any comment.’
Business as usual in the world’s archetypal democracy…for the time being.
Curtain up for Barack Obama.

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Death of a Carthusian: an English centuary

May 22nd, 2008
Hear our Silence.jpg
The Carthusian life is hidden and unsung. I will break their Silence and sing of ‘a Carthusian’ whom I have known as a friend for over a decade and who died earlier this week. You will never guess his identity, merely learn of his life at St Hugh’s Charterhouse. We met when I was invited to spend two weeks masquerading as a monk in order to write Hear our Silence,my portrait of this extraordinary ancient Order of hermit monks who live as a community in solitude and silence.
That was 13 years ago. At the very end of my stay, I was allowed to walk with the community on their weekly Monday traipse. I describe the hilarious event in my concluding chapter. Every quarter of an hour in the five hour excursion, the company stops, as fresh walking companions, two by two, are announced. A little like shuffling the pack to deal a fresh hand.
First, I had walked with an intriguing Nigerian; then marched at the back of the file with Joseph from the Philippines; now with gentle Hugh: finally to graduate and accompany the senior monks. A wonderful Irishman, formerly an wartime GP, now former Prior and leading light of the choir monks. And finally, my friend who has just now gone home.
‘A Carthusian’ is Swiss German: his opening question, ‘Skinner, your name, wot is that?’ I explained it was a trade name: people shot deer, culled cattle, then needed a skinner. ‘My name is Rosli! I am Little Rose.’
It almost sounded Native American Indian squaw…
Then we came to a stile. And I must heave his legs one after the other across this barrier.
‘Do you know how long I am a monk?’ I paused, hesitant to guess correctly: ‘For forty one years…’
So now, at last, my friend has gone home to his longed for peace. Thirteen years on…that makes him fifty four years a monk: the one hundredth Carthusian to be laid under the Sussex soil since 1873, when first they reappeared in our land after an absence of 350 years.
‘Fare forward Voyager’ : it is my great blessing to know you.

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Return to Glastonbury

April 28th, 2008

Glastonbury-ruins.jpg

We held a very successful Hear our Silence workshop over last weekend at Abbey House, Glastonbury. Although we were small in number, this enabled a strong group to work and pray together from the outset. We have evolved a logical and smooth running programme, a balance of lectio Divina feeding into the Prayer of Silence.

Abbey House with its in-house hospitality and wonderful situation provides the perfect venue. And we have booked a further day workshop in the Autumn, on Thursday October 9.

Cost of the day is £25 to include lunch, tea and coffee. Please book direct with John Skinner

wordman@HearourSilence.com

Next February marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of Hear our Silence, our invitation to the silent prayer
inspired by the Carthusian tradition. And we have booked a further weekend in February 2009 (Friday 20th-Sunday 22).

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Swallows after snow

April 6th, 2008
swallow_adult_300_tcm9-142504.jpgswallow_adult_300_tcm9-142504.jpgswallow_adult_300_tcm9-142504.jpg
Sunday, April 6: we wake to a light fall of snow. All gone by the afternoon, and the sun invites a saunter through Dulcote our pretty neighbouring village one mile away from Wells. Suddenly, a presence in the sky: fourteen swallows are cavorting overhead. Within the minute, they pass on their way.
Harbinger of summer?
It is certainly the earliest I have ever sighted their arrival: never have I seen such a massive presence for a first sighting.
‘Fare forward, voyagers.’

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April at Glastonbury

March 17th, 2008

Glastonbury's peace.jpg

We are holding another weekend workshop at Glastonbury Abbey House - Friday April 18 - Sunday April 20.

A warm invitation for all our friends to share their experience of the power of silent prayer and explore its meaning together in groups.

This is our favourite venue for Hear our Silence and clearly many others who have attended previous workshops are of the same mind. Indeed, I have been justly rebuked (and most courteously) for not giving more notice so that regulars can put the dates firmly ahead in the diary.

Apologies for this disappointment: I have now added an EVENT page which will signal our forward plans as soon as they are confirmed.

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