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 Join us in person for intention holding:   https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls   https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.   Our websites:    www.heartfulimpact.com/   Our show website.   https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.   https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.   https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.   https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.   Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.   Our show content is hosted by Podbean and available from all major podcast platforms.   Our theme music is by Chris Collins. indiemusicbox.com.   Our logo artwork is by AltoClassic (Getty Images/istock).   Contact us via Facebook Messenger from the Impact! Facebook group, or using any of the contact methods mentioned on our websites.   Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.