Celtic Spirituality (Earth, the passion, tradition, creation, churches)

[stephenw]

I recently read Philip Newell 'Listening for the Heartbeat of God, A Celtic Spirituality' (and I imagine I will be re-reading it for a long time). I am currently reading 'The Book of Creation, The practice of Celtic Spirituality' by the same author. These books have had a real influence on me.
I live near the birthplace of St. Brendan and there remains in the landscape here much of those early Christians - most of it in places like Skellig Michael where the presence of nature is overpowering. These monuments and places have always inspired awe in me but I previously made the mistake of identifying 'holy' places with churches and the like alone 'rather than the sanctuary of earth, sea and sky' that the celtic tradition acknowledged. This idea of nature as theophany really clicks with me.
Has anyone on this forum an interest in Celtic Christian Spirituality? If so I'd like to discuss views/concepts/reading.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by stephenw

Has anyone on this forum an interest in Celtic Christian Spirituality? If so I'd like to discuss views/concepts/reading.

I have an interest in it, but I've only barely explored it thus far. Too many interesting traditions . . . too little time. Do you consider Celtic Christianity to be part of the Anglican faith?

[stephenw]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

I have an interest in it, but I've only barely explored it thus far. Too many interesting traditions . . . too little time.

Yeah, time can be a balls.

[stephenw]

I don't know has anyone the blindest bit of interest in this but I read 2 things today that really struck a note with me:-
"Scant regard is paid in the Celtic tradition of storytelling to any strict sequence of time and place. A freedom of imagination is used to weave together the whole of life, past and present, seen and unseen"..."It all speaks of an interweaving of worlds and worlds within worlds....Always there is an awareness of the untameable and unpredictable"

[stephenw]

Blast, hit enter by mistake.
The second thing is related it was:
"The Celtic traditions sense of the passion and wildness......point, however, to a dimension of spirituality that for the most part we have lost sight of, the wildness of God"

Finding this stuff is like coming home.

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by stephenw

I recently read Philip Newell 'Listening for the Heartbeat of God, A Celtic Spirituality' (and I imagine I will be re-reading it for a long time). I am currently reading 'The Book of Creation, The practice of Celtic Spirituality' by the same author. These books have had a real influence on me.
I live near the birthplace of St. Brendan and there remains in the landscape here much of those early Christians - most of it in places like Skellig Michael where the presence of nature is overpowering. These monuments and places have always inspired awe in me but I previously made the mistake of identifying 'holy' places with churches and the like alone 'rather than the sanctuary of earth, sea and sky' that the celtic tradition acknowledged. This idea of nature as theophany really clicks with me.
Has anyone on this forum an interest in Celtic Christian Spirituality? If so I'd like to discuss views/concepts/reading.

I do have an immense interest in this topic so I hope you can inform me. One fair warning. I look for objective historical texts as opposed to reconstructionist texts. In other words, I have read Celtic spirituality put forth as described by some as Fluffy bunnies and disregarded.

I can't explain my interest in Celtic tradition as beyond my own aesthetic interests but anything you have to offer is appreciated.

edit: I'm also interested, since you are Irish I presume, that you might have some knowledge on the Irish language and any folk stories.

[stephenw]

Originally Posted by doppelgänger

Do you consider Celtic Christianity to be part of the Anglican faith?

I think the Anglican faith is rooted in it. Certainly the Church of Ireland is.

[doppelgänger]

Originally Posted by stephenw

I don't know has anyone the blindest bit of interest in this but I read 2 things today that really struck a note with me:-
"Scant regard is paid in the Celtic tradition of storytelling to any strict sequence of time and place. A freedom of imagination is used to weave together the whole of life, past and present, seen and unseen"..."It all speaks of an interweaving of worlds and worlds within worlds....Always there is an awareness of the untameable and unpredictable"

Have you seen John Sayles' file The Secret of Roan Inish? It uses these storytelling techniques.