Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation, and Liberation

In his third book on Christian contemplative life, Martin Laird addresses those who are well-established in their contemplative practice, offering guidance on how to deepen one's understanding and experience of the divine. Drawing from a wide range of writers, Laird explores themes such as self-focus, dealing with pain, loneliness, and depression, and the danger of using spiritual practice as a means of control. The book aims to provide a contemporary voice for an ancient practice and offer liberation and insight to those who seek a life of contemplation.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 248 pages
\n Publication date: 31 January 2019
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
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For those who seek solace in contemplation, the emergence of luminous awareness amidst a cluttered mind brings profound liberation. In his third renowned book on Christian contemplative life, Martin Laird delves into the experiences of those who have established a deep connection with this practice. "An Ocean of Light" resonates with both newcomers to the contemplative journey and those who have cultivated a mature contemplative practice. Through the gradual practice of contemplation, the soul is lifted, freeing it from the constraints that create confusion in our identity and hinder our understanding of the divine mystery. Over a lifetime of inner silence, the flower of awareness blossoms, revealing a living realization that we have always been interconnected with God and humanity, while also fully embracing our unique destinies. In contemplation, we become so silent before God that the boundaries between us vanish. Those who have ventured into the silent realm understand this truth in a profound way, yet it manifests differently from our understanding of mathematical concepts such as the square root of 144.

Laird draws upon a diverse array of writers, spanning from St. Augustine, Evagrius Ponticus, and St. Teresa of Avila to David Foster Wallace, Flannery O Connor, Virginia Woolf, and Franz Wright. By grounding his insights in ancient contemplative practices and expressing them in contemporary language, Laird offers readers a profound and accessible guide to the challenges of contemplative life. With his characteristic lyricism and gentle demeanor, he leads them through new realms of contemplative exploration, including embracing self-focus, addressing past pain, transforming loneliness and depression into a liberating solidarity with all who suffer, and avoiding the misuse of spiritual practices as a means of acquiring and controlling.

Through his writings, Martin Laird invites us to embark on a transformative journey that deepens our connection with ourselves, others, and the divine. "An Ocean of Light" serves as a beacon of light, guiding us toward a more profound understanding of the human experience and the limitless potential within us.

\n Weight: 304g\n
Dimension: 177 x 144 x 23 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780199379941\n \n