Welcoming Silence with Andō (Part 1)

Many of us who are regular intercessors, meditators and intention holders instinctively know the importance of silence for this work. However, probably few of us may really appreciate just how critical silence is, nor have a sense of its power and true nature, even if we know that to rest in the space of silence goes far beyond simply stilling ourselves and detaching from the busyness of what goes on outside.

Few people may have such a clear understanding of what silence as our beautiful guest today, Andō, who is a living testament of a life dedicated to its mystery and healing power. Her remarkable life is one of full commitment to trusting in divine provision, spending many years living in retreat in Portugal, where her understanding of the nature of silence and connection with nature was truly experiential.

She previously spent time living in a Buddhist community, and continues to draw much inspiration from both Zen and Tibetan Buddhist traditions, along with Advaita Vedanta, Christian mysticism, nondenominational Christianity and contemporary non-duality, among others.  Overcoming a significant and long-lasting health shock, Andō recently returned to the UK, now living in Cornwall. Both online and in person, she offers a deeply inspiring mix of retreats, personal consultations, and other opportunities to explore the nature of silence, along with a deeply inspiring blog and acting as a spiritual director for nondenominational spiritual seekers, teachers, pastors, and priests of various faiths.

This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation.

You can subscribe to Silentium, a journal on themes of interior silence — of meditation, contemplation, silent prayer, stillness, and quiet moments, for all faiths. Shared from a tiny hermitage in Cornwall, England by writer, spiritual director, and retreat facilitator Andō. Find and subscribe to Silentium at http://silentium.substack.com/welcome.

Discover more about Andō and her offerings:

Website | http://ando.life

Spiritual direction & contemplative coaching | http://ando.life/sessions

The Silence | http://ando.life/thesilence

Retreats & events | http://ando.life/events

Silentium | http://silentium.substack.com

Instagram | http://instagram.com/andomcdonnell

Facebook | http://facebook.com/andomcdonnell

Sources, books and websites mentioned in this episode:

OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation https://www.interfaithfoundation.org/

Into the Silent Land by Martin Laird amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Into-Silent-Land-Christian-Contemplation/dp/0195307607/ref=sr_1_1

God just is: Approaches to silent worship by Curt Gardner amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/God-just-Approaches-silent-worship-ebook/dp/B007MCOA00/ref=sr_1_1

Just This: Prompts And Practices For Contemplation by Richard Rohr amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Just-This-prompts-practices-contemplation/dp/0281079919/ref=sr_1_1

Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh amazon.com link: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Buddha-Christ-20th-Anniversary/dp/159448239X/ref=sr_1_1

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