Desert wisdom transmits transfiguring light in the Name, inspiring glorification of God in God through the Name, turning seers of glory into friends of transfiguration. Prophecy hands on the uncreated Word that reveals the Name which pure prayer is empowered to assimilate, embraced as revelation of glory in the awakened heart. Friends of transfiguration live in the light of glory, the… Read more »
Revelation of the Name is inconceivable and ineffable, being the glory unveiled to wisdom in the radical openness of the awakened heart. Hallowing the Name, the Kingdom comes but glory is unknowable and unutterable, even when wisdom opens the eye of the heart and the light of glory illumines. The Father generates the Son anew in every moment, so that when the Spirit… Read more »
Pentecost transmits glorification but glorification is ineffable, so the symbols and icons that communicate its mysteries are not rational concepts, although reason may play a humble part in communicating them. If the ineffable ‘words’ of revelation are confused with words of Scripture, the literal usurps the spiritual and uncreated energies of glory are shut out. Elders constantly remind the saints not to confuse God with concepts of God. Although… Read more »
Glory inspires unselfish love at the heart of the glorified Name, but this love is crucified again and again by those who do not understand what they are doing. The saints in every age suffer persecution by those who know him not, by those whose hearts are hard and do not see. Elders in every generation impart the glory of… Read more »
The beauty of holiness, which is glory, is union and communion with the oneness of the Name. Glory is the healing oneness of the Name, embracing one and all in beauty of holiness through union and communion. Oneness calls forth union and communion but is not heard until wisdom embraces the Name. True hearing happens when wisdom bears witness, shema, to the Name, Shem, revealed on… Read more »
According to Orthodox hesychasm, wisdom purifies the heart with the fire of light and glory. Illumination is not therefore the reward for purification achieved without it, by ascetic effort alone. Although elders speak of purification leading to illumination and to glorification, they know that without the grace of uncreated light, purification remains external. Without the remembrance of God, the heart remains blind… Read more »
If mankind is to avert climate crisis in time to save the planet, it is certain that there must be many profound and perhaps painful changes to the way we live but also to how we transform the way we live. Each of the world’s wisdoms has its own way of expressing and practicing this, but for all, it is crucial… Read more »
Born in the serenity of divine light in the midst of a great storm, St David was remembered for his wisdom and spiritual strength in symbols embedded in the older traditions upon which Rhygyfarch drew at the end of the eleventh century. As honey is present in wax, so the spiritual meaning is present in the literal text, says Rhygyfarch, who… Read more »