This region has a monastic spirituality, a contemplative spiritual heritage. People like Thomas a Kempis hung out here. Things like to reside in and just be themselves. I relate to that. It is less a builder and more a be-er (plus, it has good beer!). Sometimes it is good to remind ourselves that it is enough to just be “in Him”, and allow Him to whisper our true names to us, to trace our white stone names on our hearts, as George MacDonald, CS Lewis’ mentor, might put it.

There are several tones of church bell rings in this neighborhood. The St Jakob’s is deep and resonate; the st Katherine’s is higher pitched and hand rung. Then St Mary’s is like a call to a banquet or wedding. They mingle here throughout the day, teaching things.

Refreshing to be in a place whose spirituality is marked and carried by sea gulls, church bells and books. A monastic resonance, and always a monk like residence for me here. Nice to be in a place which highlights being above building. We need both in our spiritual diet, but sometimes i just need to resonate with Him, and my deeper self-do less for Him, and be more in Him.

  I come from a  place which is constantly building and carving-a forceful men lay hold sort of place, where partnering is forging, carving, and actively bringing justice, feeding the poor. Those are all good things but sometimes it is good to step back and tend the well from which all this action flows, as well. Thanks to the low lands for reminding me to be contemplative at times. To be in Peace before i try to bring peace to others.

If you were alone in the universe, with no projects to pursue, with nothing to do, who would you really be, as one monk asked.

Each region has it’s spiritual gifts and heritage. I needed this one, may it always be protected and have room just to be itself. For a tree really is praising God, just by being a tree. And so are we.