Our purpose in setting up this series of talks at London's Westminster Cathedral Hall is to offer people the opportunity to hear about and experience silent prayer and the Christian contemplative life.
Each meeting will be led by someone committed to the contemplative life; each will include one or more talks, and at least one period devoted to silent prayer.
The speakers have been invited to concentrate on the value of silence and the possibilities of silent prayer, but they are also encouraged to discuss any or all of the other monastic values of solitude, simplicity and contemplative service. The series will be ecumenical in nature, and it is possible that later series will include representatives of other faiths.
Some speakers will describe particular approaches to silent prayer; others will speak more generally, though they will give guidance to those who need it on how to use the prayer periods.
Our inspiration is the practice of silent prayer itself, and while we hope that this series of talks may be followed by others, its real success will be measured by individuals’ discovery of a method of silent prayer that is right for them. At each talk there will be book and information stands set up by groups offering different approaches to silent prayer – e.g. the World Community for Christian Meditation, Contemplative Outreach, and the Julian Meetings – where those interested can find out more about their teaching. (If you would like us to display leaflets about organisations and events of your own at our meetings, please get in touch beforehand.)
We either record each talk and make CDs available, or include on this site summaries of the talks soon after they are given. Details are here.
For details of our programme, click here.
Silence in the City is organised by lay members of the World Community for Christian Meditation and Contemplative Outreach London who meet regularly for prayer at Westminster Cathedral.
The name Silence in the City is copyright ©2007.
If you would like to be added to our mailing list, please contact us.
You are welcome to print off and distribute our general leaflet about the series. |