I loved being on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne. It was a dream come true. Celtic Christianity has always been my favorite period in Church history. I have longed to walk in the ancient pathways of Celtic saints like Aidan, Cuthbert and Hilda.
The retreat Judie and I attended on Lindisfarne was designed to immerse us in Celtic wisdom and spirituality. With eight other pilgrims we heard inspiring stories and teachings from David Cole, a British Celtic historian and teacher. We had many interesting and stimulating conversations. We ate meals together and shared our stories. We went on walks to see the beautiful natural and historical sights around the island. We listened to the sounds of wind, rain, waves, gulls and church bells. We prayed the Daily Offices together and worshipped in the local Anglican parish church which dates back to the 7th century.
What I noticed after being on the island a couple of days is that I began to experience a continual awareness of God’s presence in a simple, gentle way. Just being there felt like a continuous act of contemplation. Contemplative prayer seemed to happen naturally nearly all of the time. Wandering, wondering, and praying made up the soulful quality of life on Holy Island.
Since visiting Lindisfarne I have more of an appreciation for how natural the contemplative life can be. Contemplation can become a way of life that flows naturally out of the rhythms of daily living. On Holy Island I experienced a simple life with less noise and fewer distractions. I experienced life tuned into the wonders of nature with its ever changing tides, skies and weather. I experienced life immersed in prayer, worship, and Scripture in a community of fellow spiritual seekers.
My prayer is that I can take a bit of what I experienced on the Holy Island back home with me and integrate it into daily life. I am most grateful for having made it there and would encourage other pilgrim-hearted people to make the journey to this enchanted place of Celtic history and spirituality.
Lindisfarne is indeed a “thin place” where the countless prayers of pilgrims over the centuries have worn thin the veil between heaven and earth. Every breath and step serves to open the pilgrim’s heart to the Divine Presence. Through contact with its deep Celtic spirituality, pilgrims can carry part of Lindisfarne home with them. The Holy Island becomes a sacred place within the pilgrim soul.
~ PR