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Being Here

Author Pádraig Ó Tuama
Publisher Eerdmans £17.99
Format hbk
ISBN 9780802883476

At the core of this book are 31 days’ worth of reflective material with some additional essays. Each session has the same opening prayer and a short literary extract balanced by verses from a Gospel. The reader is then invited to keep silence before using the collect of the day that reflects on the readings. Finally, there is a repeated closing prayer. This latter might work better in the evening. Read the introduction to this book to loosen your mind and to receive permission to interact with the texts in the way that is right for you. Read the short essay on the structure of a collect. Then plunge in. This book would be a stimulating choice for someone wanting to take a month’s holiday from saying Morning or Evening Prayer while continuing to keep a regular time of prayer and reflection. It might be helpful for someone starting out on daily meditation. The range of literary texts was intriguing and, having used the book for a month, I found myself pondering on the material throughout the day.

Reviewed by RONA ORME

Spirituality

 

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