Bishop Rachel will join author Chris Whittington at Pip and Jim’s in Cheltenham on Thursday 20 November to mark the publication of his new book, The Missing Peace: Meditation as a Spiritual Path to Peace, Community and Oneness. Chris is the founder of The School of Contemplative Life, home to the UK’s largest online Christian meditation practice community.
Running from 6.45pm to 8.15pm, the evening will feature discussion, reflection and exploration of the themes in the book. Guests are then invited for drinks, nibbles and a book signing takes place afterwards from 8.15pm to 9.15pm.
Bishop Rachel will join Chris in conversation, exploring how meditation (understood as silent prayer) can offer a path to find the peace that is missing from our lives, and help to rediscover the contemplative wisdom that’s often described as the ‘missing piece’ of much contemporary Christianity.
The questions at the core of the event include: What if the peace we long for isn’t something to earn or strive for, but a sacred treasure already within us, waiting in silence to be discovered? What if this discovery could transform not just our lives, but the world around us?
Bishop Rachel said: “This inspiring and beautiful book is not only deeply nourishing but is also extremely accessible and practical. In a world of constant noise, distraction and conflict, The Missing Peace is an invitation to discover the treasure of silent prayer and enter more deeply into the mystery of God’s love…”
The Missing Peace interweaves Chris’ personal narrative with deep spiritual insight reaching back to the Desert Mothers and Fathers. It begins with Chris’ secular upbringing and leads to his formation at Prinknash Abbey, a Benedictine monastery in Gloucestershire.
It’s structured around 43 short reflections, offering wisdom and a spiritual practice that research suggests can help us live with greater peace, compassion, connection to God, and alignment with our deepest values.
The book has had praise from voices across the Christian and academic space. Martin Laird OSA, Professor of early Christian studies at Villanova University, said “The School of Contemplative Life will surely rate among the most significant responses to the spiritual longings of the people of this nation and abroad.”
Professor Pauline Rudd, Founder Fellow of the International Society for Science and Religion, said “This is a most remarkable book. The author makes plain a wisdom tradition that has been largely hidden for centuries. With great clarity, the practice of contemplative meditation is de-mystified for the modern era.”
Admission is free for regular donors to The School of Contemplative Life, while other guests are invited to make a suggested donation of £10 to £20 to support the organisation’s work.
For the full timetable of the evening, please visit the event page.
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