Living with the Mystics, 2005 to 2025
For 20 years, every 3 months a group of meditators meet in Cumbria, to gather together in silence and to share, individually and collectively, our thoughts and experience of ‘living with a mystic’ for the previous 3 months.
This is usually by reference to reading one or a series of books by that particular mystic. Here are some examples of mystics ‘lived with’, both ancient and modern: the author of The Cloud of Unknowing, Julian of Norwich, Simone Weil, Bede Griffiths, Thomas Merton.
Over 60 mystics have been ‘lived with’ – some more than once, with some years’ gap in between. Most, but not all, of the mystics have been Christian. But of course mysticism isn’t restricted to any one religion.
The mystics for future study are chosen by the group. Anyone is invited to the meetings, and although study of the mystic beforehand is preferable, it is not essential. The next mystic day is on 5th May: the mystic is Jesus of Nazareth.
The meetings typically begin with refreshments and brief introductions, followed by meditation. Then there is an introduction to the mystic, followed by individual sharing, lunch, discussion, and ending with meditation. It is important to realise that it isn’t a teaching day as such. We learn most of all from each other.
In my mind, the most important aspect of the group is community – the sharing of our silence, our thoughts, our selves, in loving acceptance of where each one of us is, on our spiritual journey. The group has grown from 4 or 5 people at the outset, to around 20 or more for at least the last 15 years.
Now, I am offering to introduce ‘Living with the Mystics’ in a similar way, to any of the WCCM in the UK Areas. which would like to run such a regular event.
Please contact me on rgm1@live.co.uk if you would like this to happen in your area. I can supply further details and a list of the mystics we have ‘lived with’ if you wish; the list is too long for this newsletter!
Bob Morley, March 2026
—ooOoo—
Meditation and Lectio Divina for Lent
Members of the Bristol and Bath Area offered a weekly online meditation and Lectio Divina as a Lenten devotion each Saturday morning in Lent. It was short lasting only 40 minutes but well appreciated by some.
Some appreciative feedback.
“As someone who is housebound and has been for some time, I would like to say how much I appreciated and valued the Zoom sessions each week during Lent. Thank you so much to those who facilitated these… and thank you, too, to those who joined the sessions.
In common with lots of others, I find it much easier to meditate in the company of others than I do when on my own. Your presence in itself was an encouragement, support and blessing to me. It would seem that ‘just being there’ is a ministry to others that we can all exercise!
May God’s blessings be upon us all as He draws us into a deeper and deeper relationship with Himself.”
Ken Plant
Thank you so much for arranging our weekly Lectio Divina and meditation sessions during Lent. They have been a treasured aspect of the season for me.
It was so much a thought that came to me complete and significant in that it has remained a source of inspiration. I have done Lectio Divina before but during the Lent Sessions I felt as if it really spoke to me. I read occasionally at church and I am using this approach to prepare to share each reading.
Sue Ingham