O living flame of love
that tenderly wounds my soul
in its deepest centre! Since
now you are not oppressive,
now consummate! if it be your will:
tear through the veil of this sweet encounter!

O sweet cautery,
O delightful wound!
O gentle hand! O delicate touch
that tastes of eternal life
and pays every debt!
In killing you changed death to life.

O lamps of fire!
in whose splendors
the deep caverns of feeling,
once obscure and blind,
now give forth, so rarely, so exquisitely,
both warmth and light to their Beloved.

How gently and lovingly
you wake in my heart,
where in secret you dwell alone;
and in your sweet breathing,
filled with good and glory,
how tenderly you swell my heart with love.†

St John of the Cross (1542-1591)

 

The Contemplative Spirituality Network is seeking to explore, and participate in, the modern recovery of the ancient and essential Christian contemplative, mystical or wisdom tradition in our time. This renewal started with Thomas Merton in the 1950’s and 1960’s and is now spreading through all Christian denominations like ‘treasure hidden in a field’ (Matthew 13:44).

The Network is also emerging as a contemporary reflection of our fundamental interdependence and interconnectedness, as well as recognising the need to deeply ground our spiritual search in the heart of this living wisdom tradition. It is supported by an informal and growing community of spiritual companions, represented by Julienne and Viv.

The Network is offering support, companionship and resources for the Christian journey of transformation and healing towards wholeness and unity through –

o	Encouraging contemplative prayer in daily life giving rise to compassionate action and social justice.
o	Promoting the study, and relevance, of the Christian Contemplative, or Mystical, tradition in the contemporary world through talks and seminars, study groups, retreats and pilgrimages.
o	Linking with other Christian groups, communities, networks and individuals whose hearts rest in silent prayer and contemplative living.
o	Exploring and supporting the contemplative dimension in interfaith dialogue.

 

 

 

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† St John of the Cross, The Living Flame of Love, in Kavanaugh, K and Rodriguez, O, The Collected Works of St John of the Cross, ICS Pubs, Washington, 1979, pages 639 - 640