John Fisk
Welcome to my website, which contains a variety of my writings, and is intended to share with you my mission in life, which is to share the good news of God’s inclusive love through contemplation and meditation. Much of the material you will find here expresses a contemplative view of life. The practice of contemplative prayer is a counter-cultural practice, wherein we silently await the unfolding of life’s meaning and wherein we yield to God’s shaping. It is a practice I wish to encourage and nurture in myself and others. Far from being impractical, such prayer is rooted in the deepest reality – the reality of love (Ephesians 3:16-17) – and leads to concern for justice and peace. Contemplative prayer and meditation are to be found in all the world’s major religions, and are an impetus to interfaith dialogue and reconciliation. The title, “The Still Point”, is borrowed from a favorite poet, T. S. Eliot (see below).
If you are thinking about inviting me to speak or preach or lead a retreat, you may check out the pages “Sermons” and “Retreats” for several sample sermons and retreat outlines. If you are interested in Christian meditation or labyrinth walks or mysticism there are pages dedicated to these favorite themes of mine. ”About” tells a bit of my history. There is a page about my “Peace and Justice” activities and a page about spiritual resources (monasteries, retreat centers, meditation groups, etc…) Also there is a blog page to which I will contribute reflections on a variety of topics about every two weeks (Art and Spirituality, Peace and Justice, Movie, Theater and Book Reviews, Contemplation and Action, Meditation, etc…) I hope you will enjoy the writing and please leave comments on the pages and the blog postings, to which I will try to respond promptly.
The links found on the pages are to files in either Word format (.docx Word 2007) or in Adobe Reader format (.pdf). You may subscribe to automatic and free blog updates by entering your email address at the Email Subscription box in the right hand column (no advertising nor spam). You may contact me by email (john.e.fisk@live.com) or on Facebook or Linkedin.
Sufi dervishes
At the still point of the turning world …
there the dance is,
But neither arrest nor movement. And do not call it fixity,
Where past and future are gathered. Neither movement from nor towards,
Neither ascent nor decline. Except for the point, the still point, there would be no dance, and there is only the dance.
- T. S. Eliot (Burnt Norton)
Beautiful site John. Thanks for including me.
Vern, thanks for looking at the website. I remember a sermon you preached about beauty – it is a forgotten element in much Protestant spirituality, but it is so needed to nurture our souls. Have a beautiful Advent and Christmas!
The still voice within has been a central focus for me. Your website is beautiful, a source of inspiration and peace. Your retreats sound like something I would very much enjoy at some time. Thank you for this offering!
I believe and often know that there is a still voice within that sometimes is difficult to hear because of the way I have been conditioned, ie the story of my “life.” As I began to find my way deeper inside, I felt that a reminder of who I am and what that voice is saying to me, would be helpful. Words are only words but they do help to point me in a new direction and to shift my attention and energy.
So I developed “Quiettracks” as a way to do that. I play them one track at a time throughout the day on my computer with an alarm/reminder program, on my CD player at bedtime, and shuffled with other music on my mp3 player when I am on the go. Just a moment here and there is often enough to shift me from stress to peace and to remind me that the still peace is always there.
As a church organist and a music lover, I have greatly enjoyed this creation of voice and music. I have recently released a CD entitled “I listen for the still voice”.
I will enjoy visiting your website again and perhaps we will meet in person sometime. In the meantime, thank you for sharing the peace that is so deeply needed in this world right now.
I wish you the blessings of this season of light, hope, and love,
Judy Gray (http://www.voiceofstillness.com)
Thank you, Judy. I listened to one of your Quiettracks on your website and it does just what you said, helping to center and quiet the soul. Peace to you during this blessed season of Advent.
Thank you John, for your kind response!
Peace to you also, Judy
John, so pleased that you are doing this. A beautiful web site and a “go to” site for a quiet moment and resources. Blessings!
Thank you, Jean. I’ve always appreciated your encouragement of contemplative prayer. I spent some time at the Russian Icon Museum in Clinton yesterday – what a beautiful place!
Excellent website. I will place a link on our site.
Thanks, Michael, for your support of the contemplative way.
You are doing a good work John. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experiences this way on the web. Perhaps there are ways to open the door for more to benefit by your good work.
See you soon.
Shalom,
Carlos