Author Archives: Philip John Bewley

As part of my PhD research, for the past two years I have been looking through the archival papers of Catholic priest, Henri Nouwen, housed at the Kelly Library, at the University of Toronto. For a man who never threw anything away, his archival legacy provides a wealth of information. And like myself, Henri collectedContinue reading “Anton Boisen and Henri Nouwen: The Study of the Self as a Living Human Document”

Zazen, which lies at the heart of Japanese Sōtō Zen, is best described as a meditation practice which leads the meditator beyond mere words and concepts. As a spiritual practice, it is inward looking and not about concentration on an object outside of oneself. At first this may set off alarm bells for those ofContinue reading “Zazen as a Christian Meditation Practice”

As a person who from time to time has lived with anxiety issues, it has often been suggested to me by a number of healthcare professionals I take up some form of meditation and mindfulness practices.  Mindfulness is a very ‘in’ word at present and appears to be a hot topic in Western psychology. ItContinue reading “The Child Within”

It is notable that many people today demonstrate a continued interest in all that is spiritual, in spirituality, and in the spiritual life in general. It is surprising, I suppose, because in the course of the late 20th century and early 21st century, spirituality and institutionalised religion, and questions about the spiritual life in general,Continue reading “Spirituality from the Margins”