All Shall Be Well

Each day, we will post a short article by one of Darton, Longman and Todd’s amazing authors, offering a personal reflection on our current situation in life. Sometimes this will be written with reference to one of their books, and sometimes about how they are living in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus and our current world situation. We hope it will give you a taste of the depth and diversity of DLT’s list – books for heart, mind and soul that aim to meet the needs and interests of all.

Today’s post is by Denise Treissman, who recently compiled and edited, Why Pray?, a collection of previously unpublished writings by Robert Llewelyn, former chaplain to the shrine of Julian of Norwich. You can buy an eBook copy of the book here, or a physical copy (supply chains allowing) here.

All Shall Be Well 

 ‘All shall be well and all shall be well and all manner of thing shall be well.’

These words from Revelations of Divine Love by fourteenth-century visionary Lady Julian of Norwich, should bring us a deep sense of hope because they were given at a time of plague and violence.  Julian also encourages us to know that we are ‘enfolded in love’.  Yet how can her words encourage and help us to transform our lives today?

Perhaps it starts with loving ourselves and celebrating that we have the image of the divine within us.  How many of us give ourselves the space each day to bathe in the sunshine of God's love?  We can start by taking just ten to fifteen minutes sitting quietly, imagining ourselves in a beautiful place in nature, being aware of our breath, in and out, letting go of thoughts, and if they reappear gently taking our awareness back to the breath.  Meditation can allow us to quieten our mind and body and experience a deep sense of peace which some would call the divine within.

Meditation is common to many faiths and none. A Hindu holy teacher says: ‘Every human being is an expression of the vast, great Spirit.’  His Holiness the Dalai Lama has said that if everyone's religion was kindness, the world would be changed overnight.

Today, as we see and hear every day that our actions can make the difference between life and death for ourselves and others, the COVID-19 virus is offering everyone an opportunity to practise kindness: if we change our lifestyle and stay at home we can save lives, we can look out for and find ways of helping others.  It also allows us space and time to practise meditation and prayer.

Opening to the divine within can take various forms. Why Pray?, a compilation of the late Robert Llewelyn's work published by DLT, encourages trying out different forms of prayer.  Father Robert   explains why prayer is so important: ‘Somehow, somewhere, in answer to every prayer or praise uttered, or psalm recited or prayerful silence observed, with such sincerity as may be given us, good overcomes evil, light dispels darkness, truth supplants error, and, if only in the minutest measure, the world is changed. So, too, for every stranger welcomed or loving deed performed.’

Father Robert advocates this philosophy: ‘You give love and light to everyone, those who love you, those who harm you, those whom you know, those whom you don't know. It makes no difference. You just give light and love. This I believe to be the only philosophy that can save us all.’ 

Denise Treissman