Esther De Waal

A Tradition Rediscovered

Celtic Light

The Recovery of the Religious Imagination

The Celtic Way of Prayer

The Rediscovery of the Celtic Tradition

A World Made Whole

A new edition of this contemporary spirtitual classic in which the ancient and gentle wisdom of the Rule of St Benedict is explored in realtion to the demands of modern living and the importance of balance between prayer, work and study.

The Way of St.Benedict

Seeking God

Esther de Waal, one of Celtic Christianity's preeminent scholars, shows how this tradition of worship draws on both the pre-Christian past and on the fullness of the Gospel. It is also an enlightening glimpse at the history, folklore, and liturgy of the Celtic people. Esther de Waal introduces readers to monastic prayer and praise (the foundation stone of Celtic Christianity), early Irish litanies, medieval Welsh praise poems, and the wealth of blessings derived from an oral tradition that made prayer a part of daily life. Through this invigorating book, readers enter a world in which ritual and rhythm, nature and seasons, images and symbols play an essential role. A welcome contrast to modern worship, Celtic prayer is liberating and, like a living spring, forever fresh.

‘To take time to be apart… is not a luxury, it is essential. The gift of space for myself seems so simply, and in a way it is; but it is also surprisingly difficult to do without some form of external encouragement. And that is the very simple purpose of this book.’With these words, Esther de Waal begins to show us ways into a fuller and deeper sense of attentiveness to the world around us and to the presence of God in the world. Combining monastic, Celtic and desert traditions, she offers a practical guide to finding God through the everyday circumstances of life. Seemingly small, insignificant things then become windows through which the light of Christ can shine.Many aspects of modern life can distract us: busyness, boredom, stress, lethargy, lack of direction. Yet Christ’s invitation to each of us is ‘Come and see’. Responding to this call, Lost in Wonder clears and refreshes our inner vision, teaching us again how to use those gifts we may have come to take for granted or forgotten we had: sight, sound, silence, awareness, mystery, wonder.

Rediscovering the Spiritual Art of Attentiveness

Lost in Wonder

In "The Way of Simplicity" Esther de Waal reveals the riches of the Cistercian (Trappist) tradition and its relevance for today's world. The book draws not only on such twelfth-century writers as Bernard of Clairvaux and Aelred of Rievaulx, but also on Thomas Merton and many contemporary Cistercians. These Cistercian men and women wrote on matters of perennial concern: the true self, growth, integration, friendship, the love of God, and above al the life of prayer. Anyone wishing to explore Cistercian spirituality will find this book an illuminating and practical guide. "Esther de Waal is one of today's most celebrated spiritual writers. Seeking God, her classic book on the relevance of the Rule of Saint Benedict, has opened up the riches of the monastic tradition to readers throughout the world for almost twenty-five years. Greatly in demand as a speaker and retreat leader, she lives in Herefordshire, UK."

The Cistercian Tradition

The Way of Simplicity

Saint Benedict (Abbot of Monte Cassino.)

Fifteen centuries after it was written, the Rule of St. Benedict still provides a deep and practical spirituality that helps lay people cope with everyday problems and challenges.

The Rule of Saint Benedict

Esther de Waal's classic guide to Celtic spirituality shows how its rich literary traditions and earthy realism can speak to the toughness and challenges of our own world. Avoiding sentimentality , she presents a spirituality that can be lived with honesty, commitment and truthfulness.

The celebrated spiritual writer Thomas Merton remains one of the most influential voices of our day. Here, Esther de Waal devises a seven day personal or group retreat programme using extracts from Thomas Merton's writings and a selection of his photography.

Esther De Waal

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