Synopsis
Subtitled A Quaker Explores the Monastic Tradition, Christopher Holdsworth’s own experience led him to become interested in the monastic tradition, and to spend much of his life in learning more about it as a medieval historian. In this book derived from his 1985 Swarthmore Lecture, Holdsworth presents aspects of that tradition which may be useful for Quakers. Starting from outward things, like stability, humility, obedience, and the regular attendance at public worship, the author moves towards other sides of what the tradition calls the exploration of the heart, which he calls inner space: namely attentive reading of the Bible, and prayer. ‘We, like Benedict’s monks, need to let the whole of ourselves be irradiated with the Spirit, so that, in George Fox’s memorable phrase, our lives preach.’