An Invitation To Contemplative Prayer And The Many Mansions Of Faith I am going to tell you, and tell those I do know, some of my thoughts about contemplative prayer, and prayer in general. I want to make a statement to encourage people to think about God, and to consider entering the ministry by being a friend to others. I used The New Standard Revised Version of the Bible (Oxford), and The New Jerusalem Bible (Doubleday) when composing some of these thoughts. I listened to the Dean of Grace Cathedral, Alan Jones, reading the entire script of the book “The Cloud of Unknowing”. He has a very remarkable and instructive reading style. And a voice that is easy to hear. The audio tape is available from The Grace Cathedral Gift Shop, 1055 Taylor Street, San Francisco, California. There are two tapes in the set. The Dean’s voice is a comfort to his listeners, so you may find listening to the tape good background sound for tuning into. Another thing to know about me: I am an Oblate of New Camaldoli, and they have a hermitage in Big Sur, California, that is worth visiting. It is South of Lucia on Highway 1. They are Benedictine Monks, and oriented towards Vatican II. Here is a book for recommended reading: “Love on the Mountain” by Robert Hale. This is The Chronicle Journal of a Camaldolese Monk and it is available through The Hermitage Bookstore, Immaculate Heart Hermitage, Big Sur, California 93920. Also Amazon.com There are some other interesting books from the publisher, including one that tells where monasteries and retreat houses are located in the United States. You may want to get that book to visit some of these lovely, peaceful, and sacred places. Travelers will find it especially interesting. The publisher: Source Books, P.O. Box 794, Trabuco Canyon, CA 92678. Write for a flyer of their book list, and enclose an SASE for the one page paper. Here Is The Text About God And Me And Others And Prayer: The mystery of the presence of God, as the life of Christ is available to us by prayer. St. Benedict wrote a rule about prayer. The rule says, “At these times, therefore, we should sing the praises of our Creator for his just judgments... ” We do this during the Daily Office of the Morning, and in the Evening. “The Rule of St. Benedict” is a little book illustrating some of the things we know about God. Mostly it is about staying in the Spirit of the Almighty, and learning about the justice that comes from a relationship with the Triune God. Most of the thoughts about God and Christ and the Holy Spirit come from St. Benedict, and in The Rule he illuminates what he is himself. You are encouraged to purchase the book sometime, and to read it. Young people and those in their 30s and up, who are interested in living a life of prayer, or living with God in their lives, and especially those who have wondered what it is like to be called by Christ, will find The Rule an introduction to better living. You will be joining many other people through the decades who have also shared an interest in finding out what God calls them to do in their lives. Young people (CAPTION) This view from the road shows the entry way to the Chapel of Immaculate Heart Hermitage ( New Camaldoli ), Big Sur, California. A silent retreat at the monastery is allowed. Guests usually put their names in a year or more in advance.