Paul writes – First up. Happy New Year. For those of you reading the recently published biography of Rowan Williams, its author, Rupert Shortt, in chapter 4 quotes from a transcript of talks given by Rowan Williams about St. Teresa of Avila (and her understanding of prayer) and Meister Eckhart.
The talks he refers to (see below for a little more information) can be purchased from the Eckhart Society in Reading, UK. They’re available on cassette or CD from here. For those of you in NZ they work out to be very expensive at the current exchange rate (NZ$45 each), but if you want to hear Williams on subjects dear to his own heart and practice, and about which he is incredibly knowledgeable then I think you’ll want to hear them. If you’re a spiritual director, my sense is that you will find them helpful. The excerpts Shortt uses in relation to Teresa and Eckhart are alluring and insightful.
The Spiritual Writings of St. John of the Cross
The Most Revd. Dr. Rowan Williams Archbishop of Canterbury recorded on 23rd January 2001 at All Saints Church, Clifton, Bristol. Also includes a Question and Answer Session.
The Spiritual Writings of St. Teresa of Avila
The Most Revd. Dr. Rowan Williams Archbishop of Canterbury recorded on 28th November 2000 at All Saints Church, Clifton, Bristol. Includes a Question and Answer session.
The Spiritual Writings of Meister Eckhart
The Most Revd. Dr. Rowan Williams Archbishop of Canterbury. Recorded on 27th June 2000 at All Saints Church, Clifton, Bristol. Includes a Question and Answer session.
By the way, I’m really enjoyed the biography (though I continue to dislike the title and cover). It’s well written, easy to read, insightful, and both affirming and yet critical (when it needs to be) of Williams. I’d highly recommend it, particularly if you’re Anglican and want both insight into Williams as a person, his influences, his theology, his churchmanship, and some “behind-the-scenes” commentary/reflection on the issues that have been front-and-centre within the Anglican Communion over the last few years. It feels a bit lightweight (almost journalistic) in places, but it is that sense that will probably make it more accessible to a general but interested readership. Shortt has written elsewhere – very well in fact – on Williams’ theological thinking and development.
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