A 40 day contemplative biographical devotional of the lives of 40 inspirational Celtic Saints. Perfect for personal reading or for groups.
Each day contains a short story of part of the life of a different Celtic Saint; a related scripture; a short life application meditation; and a blessing.
For those who enjoy David's biographical posts of the Celtic Saints on the Celtic Christianity Facebook page, this book is a must buy! And for any who have never read anything about the Celtic Saints, this book will both inspire and teach you from the world of Celtic Christianity.
Buy this book here or visit the video series here
Each day contains a short story of part of the life of a different Celtic Saint; a related scripture; a short life application meditation; and a blessing.
For those who enjoy David's biographical posts of the Celtic Saints on the Celtic Christianity Facebook page, this book is a must buy! And for any who have never read anything about the Celtic Saints, this book will both inspire and teach you from the world of Celtic Christianity.
Buy this book here or visit the video series here
The Mystic Path of Meditation is a book for both beginners as well as those more practiced at the art of meditation. Explore the Christian theology that underpins meditation-and discover the practical spiritual benefits of this ancient practice. This easy to read book has depth but is simple to grasp. Some deeply wonderful truths can be found in its pages which are like drops of water on a dry worn out soul. One person described it as ‘the only book on this subject which I was able to fully understand’, another said it was ‘simply the best book out there on this subject’. The Mystic Path of Meditation is simply a wonderful book which will inspire you and deepen your spirituality. In 2014 this book won a book award by Illumination Books. Visit The Mystic Path's Facebook page.
Buy this book, or try Kindle; iTunes e-book.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to read a review of this book
given by the UK Julian meetings magazine.
Buy this book, or try Kindle; iTunes e-book.
Scroll to the bottom of the page to read a review of this book
given by the UK Julian meetings magazine.
Celtic Prayers & Practices (formally 'The Inner Journey')
Set out on the inner journey and discover the Divine image that is the light in the center of your being, just like the Celtic Christians knew. The inner journey has great rewards-but the wild storms, dark nights, and stretches of barren desert can't be avoided. That's why this book was written. It offers an oasis where you can be refreshed along the journey-and a candle or two to carry with you when the nights are dark. Here you will find opportunities to be better equipped for your journey, here is a guide book for wayfarers, for wanderers, for 'Keltoi'.
"If you have not yet begun to meditate, I implore you by the love of our Lord, not to deprive yourself of so great a good. There is nothing to be afraid of; there is everything to gain."
-Teresa of Avila
Buy this book
Scroll to the bottom of the page to read a review of this book given by the UK Julian meetings magazine.
Set out on the inner journey and discover the Divine image that is the light in the center of your being, just like the Celtic Christians knew. The inner journey has great rewards-but the wild storms, dark nights, and stretches of barren desert can't be avoided. That's why this book was written. It offers an oasis where you can be refreshed along the journey-and a candle or two to carry with you when the nights are dark. Here you will find opportunities to be better equipped for your journey, here is a guide book for wayfarers, for wanderers, for 'Keltoi'.
"If you have not yet begun to meditate, I implore you by the love of our Lord, not to deprive yourself of so great a good. There is nothing to be afraid of; there is everything to gain."
-Teresa of Avila
Buy this book
Scroll to the bottom of the page to read a review of this book given by the UK Julian meetings magazine.
Four allegorical tales with a Celtic flavour. One ancient tale retold; 2 contemporary tales retold; and an original tale. At the end of each story, there is a reflection and meditation to encourage deeper thought.
“Storytelling has long been a part of our humanity…for thousands of years, stories have been told and collected, orally and through writing. Stories help us to make sense of the world...The ancient Celts, like many cultures, loved stories. The eighth-century historian Bede tells us in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People of the ancient Celtic tradition called “Passing of the Harp,” where communities would gather in the Mead Hall, or other communal hall, and tell stories through the evenings around a fire, with food and drink flowing. This tradition was continued in the Celtic monastic communities, such as the one in Whitby, where Bede makes mention of it…storytelling is all about: connecting deep truths with ordinary lives to make those lives extraordinary.” - from introduction.
Buy this book
“Storytelling has long been a part of our humanity…for thousands of years, stories have been told and collected, orally and through writing. Stories help us to make sense of the world...The ancient Celts, like many cultures, loved stories. The eighth-century historian Bede tells us in his Ecclesiastical History of the English People of the ancient Celtic tradition called “Passing of the Harp,” where communities would gather in the Mead Hall, or other communal hall, and tell stories through the evenings around a fire, with food and drink flowing. This tradition was continued in the Celtic monastic communities, such as the one in Whitby, where Bede makes mention of it…storytelling is all about: connecting deep truths with ordinary lives to make those lives extraordinary.” - from introduction.
Buy this book
David is part of a collaborative project with Kenneth McIntosh (series editor) and other writers creating a bible commentary series with Celtic lives, stories and theology interwoven with the scriptures.
Release dates will be about 3 months apart:
Introduction section - released December 2016
(by series editor Kenneth R McIntosh)
Matthew - released March 2017
Mark - coming soon
Luke - coming soon
John - coming soon
Acts - coming soon
EXAMPLE ENTRY WRITTEN BY DAVID COLE:
Matthew 7
Pseudo-Christians and Authentic Living (Celtic Commentary)
In this final section of Jesus’ Rabbinic time with his disciples commonly known as ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ he speaks (again) about the authenticity of those who will follow him. Often, though, we come across those within the Christian faith who just don’t seem to be authentic, who we might call ‘pseudo-Christians’. This can often create false, or pseudo-communities of faith within our church gathering. ‘In pseudo-community’, psychiatrist M. Scott Peck says in The Different Drum ‘a group attempts to purchase community cheaply by pretense. It is not an evil, conscious pretense of deliberate black lies. Rather it is an unconscious, gentle process whereby people who want to be loving attempt to be so by telling little white lies, by withholding some of the truth about themselves and their feelings in order to avoid conflict. But it is still a pretense’. In the 4th century a Briton called Morgan, better known by his Latin name ‘Pelagius’ spoke about those who are using the name ‘Christian’ to describe themselves, but are not actually acting like Christ. In his writing On the Christian Life (quoted in Celtic Spirituality by Oliver Davies) he says ‘it is from the sacrament of anointing, both of Christ and of all Christians…that the name and term [Christian] have come, which name those people have been wrongly given who imitate Christ hardly at all. How can you be called something which you are not, and falsely take another’s name? But if you wish to be a Christian, then do those things that are of Christ and worthily bear the name of Christian.’ Which includes not judging (v1-6) – even pseudo-Christians; treating others the way you wish to be treated (v12); and bearing good fruit as a good tree (v15-20). Morgan goes on to say ‘…perhaps you do not wish to be a Christian but only to be called one? Wanting to be something without actually being it is both base and wretched…such people are not Christ’s servants at all, but rather they mock and deride him; although they declare themselves to be his servants, their service is no more than pretense.’ Jesus points out the consequence of this in verses 21-23.
As it says in 1John 2v6 ‘Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did’ (NLT). To do this, to rightfully attach the term 'Christian' to ourselves, we need to be honest with ourselves and others; we need to know the way in which Christ lived and honestly reflect that; and we need to live authentic lives before God and the world.
Release dates will be about 3 months apart:
Introduction section - released December 2016
(by series editor Kenneth R McIntosh)
Matthew - released March 2017
Mark - coming soon
Luke - coming soon
John - coming soon
Acts - coming soon
EXAMPLE ENTRY WRITTEN BY DAVID COLE:
Matthew 7
Pseudo-Christians and Authentic Living (Celtic Commentary)
In this final section of Jesus’ Rabbinic time with his disciples commonly known as ‘The Sermon on the Mount’ he speaks (again) about the authenticity of those who will follow him. Often, though, we come across those within the Christian faith who just don’t seem to be authentic, who we might call ‘pseudo-Christians’. This can often create false, or pseudo-communities of faith within our church gathering. ‘In pseudo-community’, psychiatrist M. Scott Peck says in The Different Drum ‘a group attempts to purchase community cheaply by pretense. It is not an evil, conscious pretense of deliberate black lies. Rather it is an unconscious, gentle process whereby people who want to be loving attempt to be so by telling little white lies, by withholding some of the truth about themselves and their feelings in order to avoid conflict. But it is still a pretense’. In the 4th century a Briton called Morgan, better known by his Latin name ‘Pelagius’ spoke about those who are using the name ‘Christian’ to describe themselves, but are not actually acting like Christ. In his writing On the Christian Life (quoted in Celtic Spirituality by Oliver Davies) he says ‘it is from the sacrament of anointing, both of Christ and of all Christians…that the name and term [Christian] have come, which name those people have been wrongly given who imitate Christ hardly at all. How can you be called something which you are not, and falsely take another’s name? But if you wish to be a Christian, then do those things that are of Christ and worthily bear the name of Christian.’ Which includes not judging (v1-6) – even pseudo-Christians; treating others the way you wish to be treated (v12); and bearing good fruit as a good tree (v15-20). Morgan goes on to say ‘…perhaps you do not wish to be a Christian but only to be called one? Wanting to be something without actually being it is both base and wretched…such people are not Christ’s servants at all, but rather they mock and deride him; although they declare themselves to be his servants, their service is no more than pretense.’ Jesus points out the consequence of this in verses 21-23.
As it says in 1John 2v6 ‘Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did’ (NLT). To do this, to rightfully attach the term 'Christian' to ourselves, we need to be honest with ourselves and others; we need to know the way in which Christ lived and honestly reflect that; and we need to live authentic lives before God and the world.
Visit the publishers website here.
A review for 'The Mystic Path of Meditation' from the August 2014 edition of the UK Julian Meetings magazine:
Writing in the forward Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, refers to David Cole as "an evangelical mystic who is restoring meditation to its rightful place..."
In the first part of the book David Cole explains why we need a 'mystic path' and sets out the Biblical basis for meditation. He refers to Jesus withdrawing to a quiet place to spend time with God (Luke 5v6) and explains that the Greek word for 'withdrew' is eimi-hypochorio; eimi means 'to be' and hypochorio means 'to retreat', so - to retreat from life to simply be. He describes this as something we all need to do as a way of letting our souls catch up!
In the second part of the book he presents a range of practical ways in which to follow 'the mystic path', which he summarises in the following ways: Meditate Momentarily; Divert Daily; Withdraw Weekly; Make a Date Monthly; Abdicate Annually
By 'divert daily' he describes setting a time aside each day for contemplative prayer. For the weekly withdrawal he suggests a longer time, perhaps a walk in a forest or park. For the monthly date he suggests a day at a local retreat house. When abdicating annually this should be for an overnight stay (perhaps this pattern is not so easy for many of us, but something to aim for?)
This is a good introductory book for someone who is wanting to explore 'the mystic path' and find out more about the wide range of ways of using contemplation and meditation to do this. The chapters in the book include a wide variety methods from Lectio Divina to meditations on birds; from breathing prayers to meditation exercises for children. At the end of most chapters there are practical exercises on the various suggested techniques. There is something here for everyone.
Anne Stamper
The same magazine also reviewed 'Celtic Prayers and Practices':
This small format book of 114 pages offers a great deal, particularly to people who are new to meditation or are very much 'going it alone'. The introduction gives a lot of practical suggestions about preparing for meditation. The remaining five chapters offer material to use, and suggestions for how to use it. They cover meditating with scripture, nature, words, Celtic style prayers & meditations, and mindfulness exercises.
This is a book for meditation - active engagement with the material being used - rather than for contemplative prayer where the focus is just on being open to God and allowing God to take the initiative. But for meditation it offers a wide range of material, and advice, and is small enough to carry with you at need. Some material could be used as a lead in or out for contemplative prayer.
I found some of the language unhelpful, particularly the many references to the Divine... ... (presence, light, hand, mercy, shepherd, feminine). God and Jesus are referred to far less often, despite 'Christ-centred' in the book title. Perhaps this, and some of the material on offer, is to widen the appeal of the book beyond just those who are Christians. But these are personal quibbles, and do not detract from an attractively presented book that packs a lot into a small space.
Deidre Morris
Writing in the forward Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda, refers to David Cole as "an evangelical mystic who is restoring meditation to its rightful place..."
In the first part of the book David Cole explains why we need a 'mystic path' and sets out the Biblical basis for meditation. He refers to Jesus withdrawing to a quiet place to spend time with God (Luke 5v6) and explains that the Greek word for 'withdrew' is eimi-hypochorio; eimi means 'to be' and hypochorio means 'to retreat', so - to retreat from life to simply be. He describes this as something we all need to do as a way of letting our souls catch up!
In the second part of the book he presents a range of practical ways in which to follow 'the mystic path', which he summarises in the following ways: Meditate Momentarily; Divert Daily; Withdraw Weekly; Make a Date Monthly; Abdicate Annually
By 'divert daily' he describes setting a time aside each day for contemplative prayer. For the weekly withdrawal he suggests a longer time, perhaps a walk in a forest or park. For the monthly date he suggests a day at a local retreat house. When abdicating annually this should be for an overnight stay (perhaps this pattern is not so easy for many of us, but something to aim for?)
This is a good introductory book for someone who is wanting to explore 'the mystic path' and find out more about the wide range of ways of using contemplation and meditation to do this. The chapters in the book include a wide variety methods from Lectio Divina to meditations on birds; from breathing prayers to meditation exercises for children. At the end of most chapters there are practical exercises on the various suggested techniques. There is something here for everyone.
Anne Stamper
The same magazine also reviewed 'Celtic Prayers and Practices':
This small format book of 114 pages offers a great deal, particularly to people who are new to meditation or are very much 'going it alone'. The introduction gives a lot of practical suggestions about preparing for meditation. The remaining five chapters offer material to use, and suggestions for how to use it. They cover meditating with scripture, nature, words, Celtic style prayers & meditations, and mindfulness exercises.
This is a book for meditation - active engagement with the material being used - rather than for contemplative prayer where the focus is just on being open to God and allowing God to take the initiative. But for meditation it offers a wide range of material, and advice, and is small enough to carry with you at need. Some material could be used as a lead in or out for contemplative prayer.
I found some of the language unhelpful, particularly the many references to the Divine... ... (presence, light, hand, mercy, shepherd, feminine). God and Jesus are referred to far less often, despite 'Christ-centred' in the book title. Perhaps this, and some of the material on offer, is to widen the appeal of the book beyond just those who are Christians. But these are personal quibbles, and do not detract from an attractively presented book that packs a lot into a small space.
Deidre Morris
