Category: About JM

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Spiritual Vision

Book Review: The Spiritual Vision of Wendy Becket – living in the heaven of God’s presence’ by Michelle Jones

Sister Wendy Beckett was a Catholic nun who became famous for her BBC TV documentaries on the history of art during the 1990s. In this spiritually nourishing book, Australian theologian Michelle Jones explores Sister Wendy’s rich theology and spirituality.

Jones draws on a wide range of writings by Sister Wendy and others (including unpublished correspondence) and interviews. This extensive research is brought together in six comprehensive chapters which follow an introductory biography. The third chapter bears the subtitle of the book: ‘Living in the heaven of God’s presence’. This is a key takeaway: Sister Wendy was deeply conscious of God pervading her whole life from an early age. She recorded later how she was just four years old when, sitting under the table at home after Mass one Sunday, ‘suddenly, I became overwhelmed by the reality of God – the greatness and the power and the love and my own infinite smallness. And I knew that I was held in that greatness and protected and I would never ever have to feel anxious.’

Jones reverts to this remarkable experience frequently throughout the book. It proved a seminal moment which profoundly informed Sister Wendy’s spiritual insight, especially that all of life, including suffering and pain, is encompassed by God. This is strongly reminiscent of Julian of Norwich, and it’s no surprise to discover she was an important influence on Sister Wendy.

I enjoyed the wide-ranging sources used to illuminate Sister Wendy’s thinking. There is much to treasure, and I found many passages to return to after a first reading: I generally eschew turning over page corners, but did so many times for ease of future reference. I wholeheartedly recommend ‘The Spiritual Vision of Wendy Becket’ as a rich spiritual resource which shines light on an extraordinary recent mystic.

Book review text © Gillian Poucher, author of The Julia Butler Series and ‘Vision of Light’. Picture © SPCK

Elizabeth Mills, a regular contributor to these pages, sent in the following. Please send in your contributions too.

Come Quietly

Come quietly
to the door

Knock gently
and wait

Leave behind
your worries

Lay them
gently down

The door opens
and you are welcomed

Come inside
and rest awhile

Feel the Peace
within

and let it fill
your heart

This day and every day
Amen

© Elizabeth Mills 4th November 2026

The Magazine of December 2012, without explanation, but in a high visibility box, said:

Silent is an Anagram of Listen.

Please explore our web site https://thejulianmeetings.net/ for even more inspiration.

At the recent zoom discussion, we recognised that there are on line meetings, in person groups, and groups that use both methods simultaneously. There was also mention that some groups send an email, text or letter to those who cannot attend in person. This contains the material for the meeting which can then be used at the regular meeting time or at any time the individual finds suitable. Between us, we could probably post blogs providing such material for wider use. Please boldly send your contributions. They might be helpful to someone, somewhere.

The Julian Meetings support in-person and online groups around the country. We make teaching on Contemplative Prayer and Meditation as easily and widely accessible as we can. Articles and reviews express the views only of their respective authors.

Please send your comments or contributions for publication on the blog to https://thejulianmeetings.net/contact-for-blog/

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An Abiding Tree.

A book review on The Abiding Tree, by Michael Weissman is followed by notes from our recent On Line Open Council meeting. It seemed to me that the Julian Meetings are like ‘An Abiding Tree’, providing shade and sustenance to those who attend meetings, follow us on line, or use our web site and social media accounts. They keep us abiding in Christ.

BOOK REVIEW: The Abiding Tree: a Parable for the Weary.

A tree was planted in good soil. It put its roots down, and grew, producing leaves and fruit. People came, sat in its shade and took its fruit. Over the years, it kept giving but ended up tired and battered. The rains seemed to fall less. The ground grew hard and dry. It felt like giving up. Then came the gardener, who looked at it, paid attention, and sent rain to the distant hills. Over the days, the rain seeped down to the tree. It stretched its roots down and took up the fresh water. Slowly it revived. One day the gardener returned and saw that it was healthy again. He sat, rejoicing, in the tree’s shadow, enjoying its leaves and fruit again.

Michael explained: “I wrote The Abiding Tree initially for one friend. He’d given everything to everyone until there was nothing left for himself. He was drained by life. I wanted to help him, but I didn’t know what to say. So I did the one thing I knew to do: I turned to the Bible. … The problem wasn’t that my friend gave too much. It was that he gave from an exhaustible source. He didn’t need to try harder. He didn’t need to become stronger, more disciplined, or better at enduring. He simply needed to stop trying to produce life from himself. He needed to abide in Christ” (John 15:5)

Every page of this heart-warming parable is carefully illustrated using AI. Each offers a different bible verse about God restoring us.

One could open the book each day, or at the beginning of a Julian Meeting, to allow God to refresh us, not just for today, not just through a dry patch, but for secure long term abiding. This encouraging book takes us to the living waters on which we all depend.

ISBN-13 979-8952350007 Publisher : ‎ Fresh Perspectives. Amazon UK: Kindle at £5.90, print from £13.99. Local bookshops can order direct from the publisher. There is a ‘print on order’ service. Picture ©Fresh Perspectives Publishing. Text: ©Blog Editor.

Local Groups written contributions to OUR RECENT ZOOM MEETING

Some groups sent written replies to our questions before the meeting. I removed Names and locations so that the groups cannot be identified, but they illustrate the variety of meetings.

We have a Monthly online meeting, with folks from very far outwith our region! It has kept us accessible for all, and we can share images and music to accompany our stillness, if we wish. It is a very welcoming and all-encompassing group.

We are a regular group of 6-9 men and women from CofE, RC and ex  URC backgrounds. Ages range from 50s to 80s. We share 30 mins of contemplative prayer usually starting with The Lord’s Prayer and ending with the Grace. After praying we enjoy a cup of tea and fellowship. We are encouraged by the friendship of others, their love of Jesus, and the opportunity for silent prayer. However, many are reluctant to lead.

Our in – person meeting, has a kind and gentle lead who ensures welcome and inclusion.  It is ‘low key’, small, unpretentious, and accepting.  The lead starts off with word of any absentees and of those we need to hold in prayer.  A verbal reading is followed by music to enter silence. Different members contribute to the workings of each meeting.  Further music brings us out, followed by the Grace.  We seldom have any discussion of the reading. We enjoy more local conversation and chat over tea.

Our online group starts with a member who runs through a short ‘stilling’ exercise.  We then have a ‘visual’ or illustration with the text of the initial reading that someone else speaks, and which then stays on screen throughout the silence.  The text is re-read to come out of silence and forms the basis for ensuing discussion.  We only say the Grace together when signing out of zoom.  A piece of music often accompanies the visual at beginning and end. It takes the form more of meditation than of contemplation but has established something strong that works remotely.

A monthly meeting helps to strengthen my imperfect practice of daily stilling and contemplation, and introduces me to new sources that I’d not have found otherwise.  For most of our interactions with others there is an obligation to engage in talk.  People with whom one can share silence are special and it heartens me to find them, however few and far between.

Our meetings are an introduction to the simple practice of meditation in the Christian tradition. They are designed to introduce people to the practice and to encourage and sustain people as they get started with a regular daily silent practice. They start with a talk on a Christian theme or aspect of modern living and set out intent. After a period of silence, we have some fellowship time to discuss what arises during practice and to encourage each other. I am boosted by belonging to (another group with more frequent on-line meditations). I am also encouraged by reading, and I attend retreats when I can, including a recent joint Christian and Zen retreat.

Our group has been running weekly now for around 5 months. There are 12 people who have attended and most weeks we get between 6 to 8 – but not always the same 6-8! worst attendance was 4 best was 9. I think it is appreciated by regulars, and it covers mainly Christians I know from church but 4 people from the village who are not church goers. I have only just started to advertise it beyond our little congregation and through the Julian Groups, so hopefully we may attract a few more people

I think that is about 25 years since our group started but we still meet on the last Friday of every month at month. There are only two left from the original group but now we usually have at least three or four people from the seven on the list, at each meeting. We take it in turns to provide a lead in and these vary enormously, sometimes just a short piece of poetry and sometimes a longer piece, – or short extracts from a book. A candle is lit when everyone is settled and the lead-in is read aloud before we go into half an hour of silence. I bring us out of the silence with a short prayer and then when everyone is settled with coffee and biscuits, the lead-in is read again before we share our thoughts. The thing that I value most is the shared silence, and sometimes there are quite long spells of silence while we absorb some new understanding.

We meet on the fourth Monday of each month in a church room. After lighting a candle to form a sacred space, we have a short reading followed by a piece of music, before moving into the Silence for half an hour. Then we have a second piece of music followed by a prayer or another short reading to come back out of the Silence. Then we put the kettle on for tea or coffee and biscuits and a chat about our experience and plans resulting from it. During the Silence we listen for the Holy Spirit and receive thoughts or feelings in return. We are encouraged by the insights that we gather, the sharing of experiences, the calm of sitting with the Holy Spirit, the company of likeminded friends.  We have 6-8 people attending each month out of an interest group of fifteen to twenty. Members are from four local churches; Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic. In addition one member is agnostic.

We had to stop meeting in the chapel two years ago.  It was very difficult to bring people to join us, or to give silence a try. People are welcome to join myself and husband at our house for a shared silence, and one person tries to do so. I send an e-mail or letter with a lead-in and lead-out to all.  I would really miss the shared, in-person silence, … but everyone else seems happy with the current arrangements. We put JM into God’s hands when we had the Gathering in London, and I am happy that it is still bringing people to silence and contemplation in ways that suit the changing times. I continue to pray for the Spirit to guide those who are now tasked with caring for its future.

Our group is small, informal and welcoming. We are encouraged by sharing with others a period of silent reflection, and by taking turns to select a reading and briefly introduce it. Sitting in silence for a sustained period of time is a discipline which always repays. We have no more than 6/7 members at any one time.    We share the organisational tasks and run quite smoothly.  We would like to see a few more members but would not like to lose the intimacy of the smaller group.    The loss of one or two key members might see it close down.  It has a certain fragility.

The Julian Meetings support in-person and online groups around the country. We make teaching on Contemplative Prayer and Meditation as easily and widely accessible as we can. Articles and reviews express the views only of their respective authors.

We invite readers to contribute articles or to suggest books for review, and are looking for further member reviewers.

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Together in silence: reflections from our Open Council Meeting October 2026

On Saturday 10 October, Julian Meetings held an Open Council gathering on Zoom. It was encouraging to hear from people involved in groups across the country, each with their own experiences of contemplative prayer. Our thanks to everyone who joined the meeting and to the nine people who sent written reflections beforehand.

After introductions, we shared ten minutes of silence. It was a fitting beginning to an open conversation about what our meetings mean to us and how the Julian Meetings network might continue to support them.

What sustains our meetings

A consistent theme emerged from the reports and discussion: alongside the opportunity to pray in silence, people value the welcome, friendship and sense of belonging that grow within a group. Some meetings have continued for decades; others are relatively new. Whether a group consists of a handful of people or somewhat more, its simple, shared practice matters.

The variety of arrangements was striking. Some people meet in churches or homes, some join by Zoom, and others keep silence at an agreed time while remaining in touch through WhatsApp or email. Online groups can now welcome people living far from their original meeting place, including those who cannot easily travel. At the same time, the value of face-to-face fellowship was warmly affirmed.

Challenges, welcome and continuity

Participants spoke openly about small or changing numbers, the loss of longstanding members, difficulties finding people willing to lead, and meeting times that do not suit everyone. There were different views about how best to welcome younger or working-age people, but a shared interest in helping others discover contemplative prayer and in supporting groups to continue.

We also heard how ordinary personal invitations, good local relationships and flexible arrangements can make a difference. There is no single format that will suit every group.

Helping people find a meeting

There was lively discussion about how people find and access Julian Meetings. While some participants reported difficulties locating meetings or information online, it became apparent that several of the facilities being suggested already exist. The website includes a meeting finder identifying in-person, online and hybrid meetings, and Julian Meetings maintains an established presence on social media, including Facebook. In some instances, difficulties arose from unfamiliarity with these resources or searching under an incorrect name, rather than an absence of information. Nevertheless, the discussion highlighted opportunities to make existing information more visible and accessible, including clearer signposting of online meetings, a possible calendar organised by day and time, and greater use of church networks and personal recommendations.

The writings and example of Julian of Norwich were also discussed. However, an important distinction was made between the organisation’s name and its purpose. Hilary Wakeman established Julian Meetings to encourage and support the practice of Christian contemplative prayer, rather than to promote the study or teachings of Julian of Norwich specifically. Although her name provides a historical and spiritual association, the organisation is not a Julian of Norwich study society, nor does participation require any particular interest in her writings. Individual groups may choose to draw on her example, but the central purpose remains the encouragement and shared practice of Christian contemplative prayer.

Looking ahead

Ian Bailey gave a brief financial update and thanked those whose donations support Julian Meetings. Participants also considered the possibilities of further Open Council conversations and regional or online gatherings. These were suggestions for consideration, rather than decisions taken at the meeting.

The Admin Group will reflect on the contributions and consider what practical steps may be possible. In the meantime, thank you again for the openness, kindness and thoughtful participation shown during the afternoon — and to all those who quietly sustain Julian Meetings throughout the year.

© Ian Beers and Admin Group.

Some people wrote about their groups, but asked that they not be identifiable if the report were published. I intend to publish anonymised contributions in a future blog.

©Blog Editor.

The Julian Meetings support in-person and online groups around the country. We make teaching on Contemplative Prayer and Meditation as easily and widely accessible as we can. Articles and reviews express the views only of their respective authors.

Please send your contributions for publication on the blog to https://thejulianmeetings.net/contact-for-blog/

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Treasures old and new

Treasures from past and present. 

The accompanying photograph shows a tree that has over the course of a century pushed the surrounding boulders apart. 

This blog is like the scribe instructed in the Kingdom, who brings treasures both old and new from his stores Matthew 13:12.

Over its history, Christians have learned many things. For example, before he died in 257AD, Cyprian wrote  

“When we pray it is not for one person, but for the entire people; because we the whole people, are one. God, who is the Teacher of prayer and peace, taught us peace. He wished each one to pray for all, just as he, himself, has borne all together in one” 

Commentary on the Lord’s Prayer, Ch. 8. Extract from Saints on Earth: A biographical companion to Common Worship by John H Darch and Stuart K Burns.

‘We the whole people, are one’ is like a draught of fresh water to our thirsty separated world. What is slaking your thirst these days? 

On 10th. October, the Admin group are holding an open meeting on Zoom. We want to learn from you how things are going in your groups. We hope to encourage one another.  

In April 2003, meetings were preparing for the 30th. Anniversary. In the Julian Meeting Magazine Hilary Wakeman described how they started. She had visited many places and met people interested in contemplative prayer.

“In each place …We talked about contemplative prayer, and how so few people – including clergy of all denominations – seemed to know about it, which was very hard on those who felt drawn to it. We agreed that what we all wanted was some sort of network of practitioners, with regular meetings where we could pray together in this way.”  

Today in 2026 we are still meeting, still working to help people know about contemplative prayer. 

The same edition held an article by Di Cooke explaining the difference between contemplative prayer, meditation , and silent prayer. I find I slip between the three during any prayer session, but find that continuing the struggle to remain in contemplative mode especially fruitful. (see also Deidre Morris’ 2010 article).

The April 2017 magazine has Giles Fraser writing about praying alone in church.

“Of course you can do it elsewhere, but these are places set aside for it. Here the silence creeps into me, a bit like the cold. Not the silence of empty nothingness but the silence of sitting comfortably with a friend. And in to that silence I bring all that is not OK with me.   

“The chemistry of prayer is the meeting of these two elements: that little surd of hidden desperation that some (most, all?) of us carry around with us, often without owning up to it, and that vast expanse of purposeful silence, the shorthand for which is God. In my experience, these two elements are drawn to each other. And the slow reaction between them is worth breaking into any church to find.   

“There are various accelerants to this chemical reaction – the repetition of liturgical formulas, even lighting candles. Like all organised religion, this is easy enough to sneer at. But key to the reaction is silence and time. Both eat away at our excuses, our false hopes, our lack of reality. Self-serving bull-shit doesn‘t easily survive the rigours of time and silence. And in this fantasy-busting environment I am lent the courage to open the most defended bits of me to the infinite love of God. “ 

April 2016 found Ian Cowley wondering  

“what a contemplative life looks like in 21st century Britain. Part of me would like to move to a small house in West Wales or the Scottish borders, and try to live a life of quiet contemplation. But that is not a realistic option for me, or indeed for most of us. So we are faced with the challenge of working out a contemplative way of living which will be constantly at odds with the culture that surrounds us.  We who feel this call to a contemplative way of life seem like missionaries living in a world which increasingly does not understand us and speaks a strange and different language. … At the heart of the contemplative life is learning to let go: learning to live in the present moment.  … As we grow into the practice of daily contemplative prayer, we will find ourselves being drawn, more and more, to this letting go, this radical detachment and trusting entirely in God. We live in an age of anxiety, preoccupied with control, significance and security. Jesus says to his followers ‘let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.’ (John 14:27) He calls us to live gladly in the grace of the present moment, knowing that ‘sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.’ (Matthew 6:34) … Our culture continually tells us what will give us security and happiness, power and control. If we long for God’s way of doing things, for lasting joy and the peace which passes understanding, we will choose to set our hearts on a different way of living and being. We then have to work out each day what this means.  This is the contemplative way of living. This is the way of life in which we depend utterly, each and every day, on the grace and goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 

Our Julian library of magazine articles is a treasury. Many articles and poems withstand the test of time. We also need a constant input of fresh writing to set alongside it. Please send in fresh articles. 

The programme by Dr. Janina Ramirez about how Julian of Norwich’s manuscript was found is still available on BBC iplayer.  

Photograph and text © Blog Editor. Individual quotations copyright by their respective authors.

The Julian Meetings support in-person and online groups around the country. We make teaching on Contemplative Prayer and Meditation as easily and widely accessible as we can. Articles and reviews express the views only of their respective authors.   

We invite readers to contribute articles or to suggest further books for review, and are looking for further member reviewers.  

Contact for Blog Editor and Social Media
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The Jesus Prayer

The Jesus Prayer 

We start with excerpts from various articles, before moving to a paper by Jonathan Smith.  

While The Jesus Prayer has various forms, many other similar phrases or even words have a similar method and effect. Some communities use the prayer in public, either saying it together or having one member of the group say it aloud while the rest pray in the heart. 

The prayer is often said looking at an icon and using a prayer rope – see the accompanying photo. ©Philip Tyers 

Anne Stamper – The Jesus Prayer – December 2006 

 I have been aware of the Jesus Prayer for many years, but my interest in its use was further stimulated by reading ‘The way of a Pilgrim’ and then a short time afterwards being asked to review for the JM Magazine Jonathan Smith’s book ‘The power of the Jesus Prayer – a reflection and guide.’ I started to use the prayer (and attended) a guided retreat on the Jesus Prayer being led by Bishop Simon Barrington-Ward.  

(where I noted) ‘the phrases that spoke to me. ‘ 

Prayer is stepping into a river that is already flowing  

Praying with the mind in the heart  

Practicing the presence of God in Christ we can only pray in the power of the spirit. 

Prayer is not fulfilling a duty but coming up for air. 

The Jesus Prayer keeps one suspended between time and timelessness. 

Know you are welcome in the presence of God.’ 

Text ©Anne Stamper 

Barrington-Ward is also quoted by Ann Moran in her review of his book on the Jesus Prayer: “It is a practice of the presence of God, and it is being in that presence, relaxed and alert”.  © Ann Moran 

“Find a quiet place to sit alone and in silence; bow your head and shut your eyes. Breathe softly, look with your mind into your heart; recollect your mind—that is, all its thoughts—and bring them down from your mind into your heart. As you breathe, repeat: “Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,” either quietly with your lips, or only in your mind. Make an effort to banish all thoughts; be calm and patient, and repeat this exercise frequently” 
― Gleb Pokrovsky, The Way of a Pilgrim: The Jesus Prayer Journey—Annotated & Explained  

‘To use the Jesus prayer is to dive into a stream which is already flowing in the direction in which you wanted to go, and then being simply borne by the current’ Selected by Anne Stamper in her review of Barrington – Ward’s ‘The Great Exchange’. 

Francis Ballinger: book review; Letters of Direction / Streams of Grace JM December 2006 

“Letters of Direction”: 

“Therefore leave your soul too, to pray as suits it best, in its own way, without strain. Allow it most of the time to remain quite still. Pray along the lines which show you the needs of the world and which interest you. Nothing could be better. In a word, follow your bent; your need of quiet or of doing nothing according to what seems most natural to you at the time.” © Francis Ballinger. 

The Jesus Prayer – Jonathan Smith. 

The Jesus Prayer is very old, and its use dates back to solitary monks in the Egyptian desert in the fifth century AD.  Because of this, it has gained the reputation of being the preserve of people like monks or other ‘especially spiritual’ people, and not something for ordinary Christians.  But the Jesus Prayer and its practice is very simple, and the only thing that is really needed is the desire to draw closer to God in prayer. 

The Words of the Prayer 

There are a number of versions of the prayer, and none is more right or wrong than any other.   

The oldest form is: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me.   

Also common, is a longer form:  Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.  

Shorter forms are also used: Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me,  

or just: Jesus, have mercy. 

Using the Prayer 

Sit comfortably and let your breathing be natural.  A good way of preparing to use the prayer is to focus on your inward and outward breath for a few minutes, which may get a little deeper.   

If you are praying alone, say the prayer quietly out loud for a few minutes.  If you are in a group were this would disturb others, you can simply say the words with your lips.   

Let the prayer enter into your mind, and when you are ready, focus on that mental repetition.  Don’t worry if the prayer goes away; just repeat it again out loud or with your lips.  It will eventually lodge in your consciousness. 

As you focus on the prayer, and with a little bit of practice, you may find that the prayer moves downwards to your chest or to your heart.  Another name for the Jesus prayer is ‘The Prayer of the Heart’.   

This may last a little time, or for the rest of the prayer period, and sometimes you may feel that the prayer fills your whole body.  But whatever happens, it is only focusing on the prayer that is important 

Worries and Distractions 

There is no right way and no wrong way of saying the prayer.  Everyone has to return to vocal or mental prayer when distractions occur, and trying to work out whether one is doing the prayer ‘right’ is one common distraction.   

Other thoughts and concerns will lead the mind away from the prayer, and everyone experiences very well-trodden paths of thought which head off in their own directions.   

The task when this happens is simply to recognize that one has been led away from the prayer, and without any self-criticism at all, to gently redirect the mind to its words. 

Various experiences can occur during the time of prayer, from feelings of love, to feelings of regret about past actions.  Some of these feelings may be quite intense.  But such things are not the purpose of the prayer, and one should not hope for, or pursue, any particular experience.  The only task is to say the prayer with as much attention as one can muster.   

The real results of saying the Jesus Prayer faithfully are not found in any experience during prayer time, but at other times.  We take whatever God’s grace grants us during our prayer into the rest of our lives, to share with those we meet, with a new awareness of Jesus’ presence with us and in the world. 

An Everyday Prayer 

The Jesus prayer can be used as a regular part of prayer life.  It can be used for five or ten minutes at the start or end of prayers of intercession.   

It can be used as an extended form of contemplative prayer for 15 or 30 minutes, once or twice a day.  If our work and family life allow, a regular time can be set aside for it in the evening or morning.  It can be used during the washing up, while we clean the house, while we walk down the street, while we sit on a train or a bus.  All that is required is an honest turning towards God, and the prayer can be used at any time, in any situation. 

Prayer time can be long or short, from a half hour set aside to focus on it, to less than a minute, as we take a moment between activities.   

It is the prayer, praying in us, that does the work; that, and the grace of God, who always comes to meet us as we turn back to him.  He will guide us in its use and show us how it fits into our lives. 

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me. 

Text copyright © Jonathan Smith, member of the Shoreham on Sea meeting. Written for his church, after the publication of his book, The Power of The Jesus Prayer in 2005. 

Further Reading: 

The Jesus Prayer, Simon Barrington-Ward, Oxford, Bible Reading Fellowship 1996  

Praying The Jesus Prayer Together by SSF Ramon, Brother (Author), Simon Barrington-Ward (Author), & 1 more reviewed 

The way of a Pilgrim – Various editions and translations of this book are available. 

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Growing in Prayer: a Book review 

 This book review gives a handy list of inspirations for expanding our prayer lives. After the review there are a series of other items to assist our prayer, 3 book notifications and an invitation to our general meeting on 10 October.

Significantly starting with “Listening to God in silence and stillness”, Growing in Prayer presents 15 short chapters, each exploring different ways of praying – of growing in prayer. This is a very practical and accessible book. Each short chapter includes a Bible quotation and a two- or three-page introduction to the way of praying with simple steps to follow and closing with a few recommended books and websites. Each chapter ends with blank pages for the reader to make notes of their experience for further reflection. The clear print and layout make it easy to use as course material.  

This book is based on a a prayer course originally developed in the Diocese of Rochester and could easily be used as a course either individually or in a group. If we are in a time of change, this could be a valuable part of that journey.   

Chapters included are:  

Listening to God in silence and stillness   

Lectio Divina  

Praying with your imagination  

Intercessory prayer  

Centering prayer  

Praying in nature  

Praying with images and symbols.  

Praying with your creativity   

Praying with poetry  

Praying with the five senses  

Praying with icons  

Praying with a labyrinth  

Praying with music  

Journaling  

The Examen  

Your notes  

© Gail Ballinger 

Growing in Prayer: exploring 15 different ways to pray for individuals and groups ; edited by Susanne Carlsson  

BRF 2026 £9.99 e-book only, ISBN 978 80039 506 0 

SUCH MATERIAL IN THE CONTEXT OF A JULIAN MEETING.

“Group meetings are willing to experiment with form, while keeping the meeting simple and single pointed.”

The first group I attended, for example, had an introduction including a scripture reading. After a quarter of an hour, the scripture was repeated, and again at the end.

In 1989 Robert Llwewlyn wrote The Fountain Within: Praying St John’s Gospel. Each chapter contained passages to be used in meditation. Short sections were to be read with a set response, then a few minutes of silence before reading the next. This would imply that a meeting would be broken into many sections.

My present group has an introduction followed by half an hour of silence. Then the leader for that session closes appropriately.

I am looking forward to hearing how your different groups are run, both normally and for a periodic different input. Could a group, for example, decide to experiment with a series of sessions using each of the chapters of this book, or would that be done seperately, before or after the regular meditation?

Our magazines contain many articles on prayer – see the LIbrary section of our website, particularly the Various Ways of Praying selection.

©Blog Editor, JM

Sister Wendy Becket: ‘I hope that once people read my book (on prayer) they will think, “ What a fool I’ve been. I didnt realise that I didn’t need a book on prayer.” You just need to have the courage and the faith to sit quietly and let God love you. Even if it is only for ten minutes a day.’ Peter Stanford: What we talk about when we talk about faith. Hodder, 2019. 

Welcome to The Julian Meetings Open Council Meeting, October 2026.
At present, there are about 120 active Julian Meetings across the country. The National Council are offering an opportunity for members of the groups to encourage one another. We propose to set up an open online meeting on Sat 10 Oct from 2-4pm.
How is your group running?
What encourages you?
We look forward to your replies, by responding to this email, and attending the on-line meeting – Zoom details will be given nearer the time.

IMAGINING THE WORLD– BOOK NOTIFICATION
John Mann presents a short passage of biblical scripture alongside a contemplative reflection for each of the 34 days from 1 September to 4 October. These are inspired by the unique landscapes of the British and Irish countrysides. They also draw on the mystical and philosophical writings of Teilhard de Chardin, Simone Weil and Søren Kierkegaard. Each day’s reflection ends with a suggested prayer. John Mann writes: ‘The threats that exist of climate change, pollution, and environmental degradation through human activity, the uncontrolled greed for the Earth’s finite resources, the extraction and burning of fossil fuels, are well known…. While wars rage and humans continue to inflict horrendous suffering on other humans … the long term concern of the effects of human activity is laid bare”. He continues through the Island Spirituality Network to lead quiet days and retreats. Imagining the World – Daily Reflections for the Creation Season. Darton, Longman and Todd / Herne Books Paperback (178x110mm), 144pp, 9781917362221, £9.99, July 2026  Compiled using material provided by DLT. ©Blog Editor, JM 

LIVING FOR JESUS AND JUSTICE BY SIMON JONES – BOOK NOTIFICATION.
This comprises of
1. a new presentation of the Beatitudes in today’s language;
2. a Daily Liturgy (with prayers for morning, midday and evening on a seven-day cycle);
3. Waymakers and Waymarkers, a 366-day calendar of people and events that bent the arc of British history towards justice; and
4. bespoke Occasional Prayers for justice-related events.
‘It’s so easy for the passion for justice to be channeled into activism whilst neglecting to nurture an inner life that fuels it. Mission spirituality is surely the rhythm of both. This new articulation of longings for a better world in prayers and liturgies along with the offering of memories of those who have gone before to light the road is a wonderful gift in that regard. It’s a great resource for individuals and communities seeking to join in God’s healing of all things, to breathe in before acting out.’ Jonny Baker, CMS
Living for Jesus and Justice; Daily Prayers for Radical Christians; Simon Jones and Red Letter Christians UK 978 1 917362 13 9 Compiled using material provided by DLT. ©Blog Editor, JM 

Treasures in Straw: The griefs and gifts of the Christmas story– BOOK NOTIFICATION
Christmas can be a magical time, but also a uniquely painful one. Inspired by
the difference she sees between Christmas as we mark it today and the original
story of the nativity, Tanya Marlow writes for everyone who struggles with
Christmas. ‘Nowadays Christmas feels like either grief or gift,’ she says, ‘but the nativity is both grief
and gift together… My invitation to you this season is to look afresh at the original Christmas story,
with the freedom to be honest in lament, exuberant in praise, or both together. Whether you love
Christmas or dread it, this is a chance to treasure those forgotten spiritual blessings that do not perish
or fade, and rediscover genuine delight in Jesus, our greatest gift.’

The Julian Meetings support in-person and online groups around the country. We make teaching on Contemplative Prayer and Meditation as easily and widely accessible as we can. Articles and reviews express the views only of their respective authors.  

Please send your comments or contributions for publication on the blog to  https://thejulianmeetings.net/contact-for-blog/   

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I Ease You

The Gospel discovered by the Seventeenth Century poet, George Herbert, was that Jesus eases us. He had suffered ‘a great affliction’ that broke him. He found that Jesus eased him, and described the discovery in his delightful poem, ‘Jesu’. In silent prayer, we too find that Jesus eases us. We trust that his easing can be experienced, not only by us, but by all.  

Centuries before, Abraham too had experienced a crisis.  He had been promised children, but expected to die childless. God repeated his promise. “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness”  Genesis 15:6. The accompanying picture is ‘Abraham’ by Ronald Rae.  It shows an almost cartoon face, peeking shyly at the sky, as if pondering the stars that symbolised the number of descendants he would have. The fragility of the facial expression contrasts with the solidity and size of the rock into which it is carved. Beside it is a fingerpost implying ‘walk’, and a bench implying ‘rest’. There is a right time for each.

Here is George Herbert’s poem. In his day, the letter ‘J’ had only recently been differentiated from the letter ‘I’. 

Jesu is in my heart, his sacred name 

Is deeply carved there: but th’other week 

A great affliction broke the little frame, 

Ev’n all to pieces: which I went to seek: 

And first I found the corner, where was J, 

After, where ES, and next where U was graved, 

When I had got these parcels, instantly 

I sat me down to spell them, and perceived 

That to my broken heart he was I ease you, 

                                And to the whole is J E S U. 

George Herbert , from his collection “The Temple”, 1633. 

Behind the silence which is the key part of a Julian meeting, there may be consideration of Scripture. Here Marian Sale of the Isle of Man Julian meeting, shares an article she wrote for the group. She takes key lines from a section of the bible and reflects on them using other verses and her own experience. This invites the reader to take time to ponder and let each verse sink in, rather than just flash past.  

ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 3.  

There is a time for everything: 

1) A time to be born and a time to die.  

In John 3:4 Jesus tells us that “no one comes to see the kingdom of God unless he be born again.” Some people call themselves “born again Christians”. This can happen at any age and it does not have to be once only, like St Paul on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). Perhaps some might not experience this until they are on their death beds. The spiritual writers tell us we are likely to experience “little deaths” throughout our lives. The seed has to die to become a plant (Jn.2:24). We have to die from childhood in order to become adult. We die a bit every day. I do not intend to enter the thorny questions of euthanasia, suicide or abortion. 

 2) A time to plant and a time to uproot.  

When talking of the Pharisees, Jesus says “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by the roots (Matt: 15:13). Also “every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.” (Matt:7:19). When Dutch Elm disease arrived on the Island, the Forestry Commission had a policy of cutting down and burning all diseased trees in order to preserve the rest.  

3) A time to kill and a time to heal. 

Although it says “thou shalt not murder” in the Ten Commandments, if a terrorist runs into a school or pop concert, brandishing a gun, it might be sensible to kill him before he commit mass murder  

4) A time to tear down and a time to build. 

Jesus tore down the tables of the money lenders in the Temple. At the moment of Jesus’ death “the curtain of the Temple was torn in two” (Matt 27:51). There is a saying:- “Ask your worst enemy to prune your roses” because the harder they are cut down the stronger the gr th for the following year. The Victorian slums were torn down in order to build more healthy and affordable housing. We still have the heritage of the magnificent mediaeval Cathedrals. 

5) A time to weep and a time to laugh. A time to mourn and a time to dance.  

“Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh” (Luke 6:11). As Jesus was being led away to be crucified, He told his disciples “Do not weep for me, weep for yourselves and for your children”(Lk.23:28). “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5). “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy”(Ps. 126:5). Jesus wept at the death of His friend Lazarus (Jn.11:35). It is only natural to weep at the death of our relatives and loved ones, but they would not want us to wear black for years like Queen Victoria.  God turns our mourning into dancing (Ps.30:11) and the prodigal son was welcomed home with dancing (Lk. 15:25).

 6) A time to be silent and a time to speak. 

Jesus remained silent to his accusers in front of Pontius Pilate (Matt 27:14) because He knew His final destination. This was foretold by Isaiah (53:7-8) “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth, he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before his shearers is silent, he did not open his mouth.”

Although Ecclesiastes was written at the time of King Solomon it is equally relevant for today. Time has nothing to do with minutes, hours and years.  Sometimes time flies, sometimes it seems to drag. 

© Marian Sale

Diane Watkins writes:  

I was a member of Beverley Julian meeting. When I was a young person, I wrote a poem which expressed my thoughts and feelings about the mystery of suffering which I include below. I have never shown it to anyone until now. 

Who cares? Who cares? Who cares? 

Yes, who will care 

When all the blood and sweat have flowed and dried 

When furrowed face is quenched with tears run cold 

And anguished heart with anguish is o’er whelmed  

For I care, God, thou knowest how I care, 

And how my caring is to nothing brought 

By others knowing much and caring naught. 

But caring’s not enough- no, we must DO , 

And doing must engage the ravening foe, 

Yet caring not how little we can do, 

And knowing just how little we can know. 

© Diane Watkins 

A sequence of verses for meditation, celebrating our union with Christ: 

I live, no longer I, but Christ who lives in me  (Gal 2:20) 

 In whom all things hold together  (Col 1:17) 

And God is all in all.  (1 Cor. 15:28) 

The Julian Meetings magazine contained a variety of materials; articles, poems, verses, and book reviews. This edition of the Blog partly revives that tradition. Please contact us with your response: https://thejulianmeetings.net/contact-for-blog/ 

 Photograph  © Philip Tyers. ‘Abraham’, by Ronald Rae b. 1946, in the grounds of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, for mental care. 

The Julian Meetings support in-person and online groups around the country. We make teaching on Contemplative Prayer and Meditation as easily and widely accessible as we can. Articles and reviews express the views only of their respective authors. 

Please send your contributions for publication on the blog using the online form at  https://thejulianmeetings.net/contact-for-blog/ 

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Remembering Julian of Norwich near her Anniversary

Julian of Norwich – reflections over the years. 

Our meetings are named after Julian of Norwich, but she is not our primary focus. The churches remember her on the 8th of May, the anniversary of her stream of mystical experiences in 1373. Following the Revelations, Julian pondered them for twenty years, challenging God and gaining clarity. Julian’s final text was hidden for many years, through the Reformation persecutions in England and the French revolution. Finally, a Presbyterian woman, Grace Warrack, hunted out an old manuscript in the British Library and copied it by hand. Sheila Upjohn investigated the story, wrote a book about it, and alluded to it in her April 2018 article. 

Here are some excerpts from our treasure trove of magazines: 

She retained a positive outlook while remaining real.

She is a “happy mystic”, and her writings are full of ‘joyous calm’ in spite of the serious challenges she experienced and discussed with God 

 © Martin Israel August 2003. 

The book addresses contemporary concerns.

“Her book was ‘rediscovered’ by a woman scholar at just the right time, when women were beginning to have a voice and be listened to. It was immediately popular. Here was a book by an English woman, not a foreign mystic. One of us. And her message is one of hope and optimism, not doubt and despair. Julian’s book breathes an atmosphere of common sense, a balanced mind,a loving heart, a closeness to the ordinary, that we all need to hear.”  

     “She is conversant with the idea of God as Mother, most likely through her own experience of motherhood. Jesus feeds us and teaches us as a mother feeds and teaches her child; God wraps us in goodness as a mother wraps up her infant; Jesus is courteous and friendly in demeanour, not some judge who is easily offended”  

     “She would have seen the seamy side of life, had contact with tradesmen, prostitutes, rogues. Her mildness is noticeable in that she condemns no one, and sees God as non condemnatory too. A life of prayer and listening enabled her to see that sin is not always where we think it is, and indeed ‘all shall be well’ despite our faults and failings. 

     “in her cell Julian wrestles with the big questions of life: sin, the humanity of Christ, the place of suffering, what is love and how it is shown, our eternal destiny and God’s Providence”. 

     “If we want, Julian can be our friend and teacher, opening our eyes to new ways of seeing and understanding life, God and ourselves. She can teach us about the value of silence and prayer, of keeping going when there seems to be no feedback. And Julian is characterised by her wonderful sense of gratitude. God is good. The meaning of life is love. And in accepting one another prayerfully and non-judgementally we accept and love the whole of humanity. Truly ‘All shall be well.’ “

© Elizabeth Obbard, Julian of Norwich–woman of Faith and Prayer. August 2008.

During the Coronavirus lock-down in 2020, Julian’s example became particularly relevent:

“Perhaps we can follow Julian by filling time with thoughts of the love of God rather than being led off-track by the media circus. All that Julian experienced led her to write her wonderful Revelations of Divine Love, so full of insight and reflection. The God she shows us in the suffering and compassionate Jesus is the same God for us. ‘He did not say, ‘you shall not be tempest-tossed, you shall not be work – weary, you shall not be discomforted’. But he said ‘you shall not be overcome’.”  

(August 2020 © Gill Butterworth, citing Julian’s longer book, RDF Chapter 68). 

In December 2023, Margaret Coles compared Julian of Norwich with a gifted, tenacious journalist: 

Dangerous  

It was a dangerous and perforce secret mission. While the medieval church was preaching sin, punishment, purgatory and hellfire, Julian was writing about God’s unconditional love and merciful compassion. She wrote that God was never angry, that he looked upon his darling children ‘with pity, not with blame’, had forgiven us for all wrongdoing, past, present and future, and was for ever coming towards us with his mercy and love. Julian knew full well the risk she was taking. Had she been discovered she would have had to recant or be burnt at the stake.  

Persistent  

… She had the integrity to risk her life for the story, as do many modern-day journalists. Julian is a reliable witness, a diligent fact-checker who dared to say, at a press conference with God, ‘Sorry, I didn’t quite get that point. Would you mind clarifying it?’ Add to her extraordinary courage and integrity a thoroughness and rigorous attention to detail and pains-taking efforts to describe precisely what she was shown, a she understood that every detail counted.  

Not an easy task  

Julian confronted the toughest questions, getting to grips with the puzzling and sometimes disturbing knowledge entrusted to her – deep, mysterious themes that take some unravelling. What to make of ‘sin is behoovable’ – translatable as ‘appropriate’ or ‘necessary’ or ‘sin shall be a glory’ – when you support the church’s condemnation of sin? She wrote it all down faithfully, with no fudging. The answer, she discovered, is that the pain caused by sin can become a source of self-knowledge and humility and an acceptance of God’s forgiveness and love.  

An honest witness  

Julian’s best known saying is ‘All shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well’, but she is no Pollyanna. She lived through war, plague, famine and social unrest. She viewed the world through the little window of her anchor-hold, to which people brought their cares, seeking kindness and understanding. Trust is hard to win and easy to lose. Julian’s honest voice is a witness who helps us, in a world of pain and uncertainty, find the courage to dare to trust that we have the certainty of God’s love. © Margaret Coles 

All the editions of the magazine are easily available on the web site. There is inspiration, challenge, history, and the testimony of many who have found again a living encounter with God. While we recall Julian of Norwich and read her words, in silence, alone or in a meeting, we meet her God afresh in our own age. 

Text ©Philip Tyers, blog editor. Image from Wiki Commons, photograph of statue outside Norwich Cathedral by David Holgate, 2000. 

We welcome contributions to the blog. Please go to our contact page:

https://thejulianmeetings.net/contact-for-blog/  

We invite readers to suggest further books for review, and are looking for further member reviewers. Contact us on https://thejulianmeetings.net/contact-for-book-reviews/

 The Julian Meetings support in-person and online groups around the country. We make teaching on Contemplative Prayer and Meditation as easily and widely accessible as we can. Articles and reviews express the views only of their respective authors.  

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August Magazine

Our August magazine is now available and the printed copy is with our Meetings and individual members. It is our last printed magazine. Details of how we plan to replace it are all in the magazine. You can read it online here together with our April magazine which also contains information about our plans for the future. We do need help to make that future happen. Details are all in the magazine pages 17 & 20.

If you subscribe to this blog to receive new posts as they are published but have not joined our membership please consider becoming a member to to receive news and updates and contribute to the discussions on the future of JM. This is free.