Meditations
Meditations
Although relatively “new” in terms of many English churches, as it is merely Victorian, Highclere’s parish church still has a satisfactory feeling of age and stability. To enter you have to turn a large circular black ring handle whilst simultaneously giving the heavy silvered door a jolly good push. The hinges creak rather satisfactorily creating a sense of anticipation and a further door then leads from the lobby into the main nave of the church.
There are probably lots of scientific reasons as to why high ceilings make us feel freer and more positive but whatever they are, I just feel better. It is as if the height above me creates perspective and an openness which can encourage both contemplation and abstract thought, as well as creativity. For me, time spent in church focusing on others, singing with others and praying with others fosters a stillness of mind and time to just let my mind wander.
In a busy and sometimes stressful world, I find it helps positive mental wellbeing. If your mind relaxes, problems can be observed and walked away from and sometimes even solved. It also makes it easier to understand that we cannot solve everything and that worrying about what we cannot solve is unnerving and ultimately pointless.
The colours in a church tend to be neutral and soothing: sandy beige walls with darker wooden pews and skirtings grounding the space. The stained glass windows bring colour, beauty and smiles and of course most altars are carefully designed to face east and south, towards Jerusalem. Given many church services are in the morning, we are all looking towards the light.
At this time of year we are celebrating Harvest Festival. Remembering once again that our food comes from the fields, with the rain and the sun through the seasons working to produce all the delicious produce that we love to cook and eat. It is such a magical process – the tiny seeds which grow so we can make flour and bread, porridge and biscuits, cereals and cakes not to mention all the fruits and vegetables.
The hymn choices tend to be traditional and two of them are sung every year. The first of these begins with the line “ We plough the fields and scatter the good seed on the land” which gets straight to the point. It is a German hymn translated in Victorian times and reminds us all that, irrespective of our beliefs, we are at the very least co -dependent with the natural life and wildlife on this planet.
I do not go to church every Sunday. As for so many of us, life gets in the way but when I do go, it does add to my day. Even when my stepchildren and son Eddie were much younger we would all go from time to time. I used to take marmite sandwiches, some sort of game to help keep them occupied and something to drink. Sometimes it worked out quite well except if I used tin foil to wrap the sandwiches which would then be noisily unfolded during the quiet moments of prayer . Once, without quite thinking it through, I rather unfortunately took a marble game for Eddie to play with and of course the marbles bounced noisily and regularly out of the pew. Any mediative thoughts on that occasion could only take place in between the inevitable giggles and disapproving looks from my husband.
There is also the quiet which you find in church and at points throughout many services. How often in our noisy bustling world do we get to sit and simply listen to nothing. It is such a rare occurrence as to be almost unnerving. Many of us these days are almost threatened by silence and can’t cope, having to turn on some music or the television simply to fill the space.
Today, we are encouraged to go to meditation sessions or mindfulness classes and to deal with depression with pills, all of which may be right and help. But these states of mind are not new, they just have a new language and new words associated with them.
Romantic poets extolled the peace and beauty of nature and other writers admire the serenity and harmony to be found in wonderful architecture and interiors. Too many of us though have forgotten how much peace can be found just by sitting for a while in the right space.
25 Comments
Thank you for this beautiful message.
This is a lovely uplifting article - thank you. The photos as always are really good and the church looks beautiful.
you are kind
Wonderful thoughts to start the week!
There is much power in prayers and being with other people each week. Parkview Church is sponsoring a team of people to participate to run in the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 12th many of us are participating and praying for a positive outcome.
how wonderful
Morning, For me to meditate, is for me to connect with my heart, head, and my very being to the Lord, the Universe, and give me, and clear all that is there, that needs to be heard, and return my reason for living. Thanks for reading, John Roberts, Tonawanda, N.Y. USA
Sigh....deep breaths and silence. Oh how I appreciate your "Meditations" writing this morning Lady Carnarvon. It is so true how our world is filled with "noise" and we so rarely sit in silence. Once again, thank you for this thoughtful blog on a Monday morning.
Good morning,
Simply reading your post has somehow left me more relaxed and ready to face a busy week.
Thanks
My bedroom faces east so as I take my first cup of coffee and sit in my meditation chair and feel the first rays of sunshine slip through the falling leaves, I am content to know that in the glow of the sun's greeting, it will be a day of beauty and peace no matter what comes through my door or laptop. Thank you for the meditation and thank you for the lovely event on September 13th at Highclere that I attended. It was a privilege to be able to enjoy the fruits of your loving labor in sharing Highlere with the world.
Beautiful thoughts and photos! Thank you for sharing.
I love the photographs of the Parish church with the gorgeous stained glass windows. It reminds me of the Episcopal church I attended with my family when I was a young child. Thanks for sharing this with your readers.
Dear Lady Carnarvon.
How often I catch myself thinking of a majestic country house, such as Highclere, and imagining myself sitting peacefully in a window, sipping tea,
staring out at the coutryside and nature and the building around me and speaking quietly to God..... of course this is just in my mind as I have never been
to a country house in my life, actualy, I have never set foot in England (despite my British lineage)....
But even just imagining it already calms my mind. Nature, the souls of the home, and God....
Lady Carnarvon,
Having just returned from a church service I appreciate your reflections on the peace and reflection to be found within nature and a church building. I wish you a blest day
I agree with you. Going to church is something that helps me and just brings me joy. I feel closer to God and makes me more Thankful for all the things He does for me daily. Thank you for sharing this with us❤️
thank you, you are kind
Wonderful, heartfelt message.
What a beautiful sanctuary in which to worship the God of all creation! May He bless all who worship there.
Every Sunday I head to church and feel refreshed for the week. As a child we went to Sunday school so very seldom endured regular church.
Always lovely memories.
Thanks for this inspiring message and beautful Church pictures,enjoy your week! Greetings from Canada.
Your writing is always thoughtful and thought-provoking, but today's blog resonated with me on an even more personal, comforting level. Thank you for putting these conceptions into words, especially on a Monday (I always need a little oomph on Mondays).
Thank you, Lady Carnarvon. I needed this message today.
What a rare and beautiful article. Time spent in church, particularly quiet time is the best way to disconnect from all the negativity that surrounds us. What better way to become closer to God?
Having visits the grandeur of Venice I came across a simple Fishermans Church. Wild flowers adorned the altar ,a stream of light cascaded through a small stained glass window ,dappling the simple wooden altar such a contrast but equally as beautiful as the stately grandeur outside the door
As a Quaker, I have the great blessing of sitting every Sunday morning in expectant, silent worship with my fellow seekers. Somehow I go deeper worshiping with others than I do on my own. I don't know how I would cope in these volatile times without the Friends Meeting to ground me in the real reality.
Lady Carnarvon,
As a Pastor, I loved your meditations on being in church. These are sacred spaces that engender special memories. Of course, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I find great comfort in the Word of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life.
Blessings,
Dr. Don Fugate
San Jose, CA
You wrote this when I needed it most.....thank you
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My dearest Lady Fiona,
Good morning from Brazil,
A great write said:" It is in silence
that great things are made "
Cheers.
Good week for us.
Vila Alemã
Rio Claro-SP.
Brazil
I wish you a good week ahead as well