A Sunlit Absence: Silence, Awareness, and Contemplation

by Martin Laird

"The practice of contemplation is one of the great spiritual arts," writes Martin Laird in A Sunlit Absence . "Not a technique but a skill, it harnesses the winds of grace that lead us out into the liberating sea of silence."
In this companion volume to his bestselling Into the Silent Land , Laird focuses on a quality often overlooked by books on Christian a vast and flowing spaciousness that embraces both silence and sound, and transcends all subject/object dualisms. Drawing on the wisdom of great contemplatives from St. Augustine and St. Teresa of Avila to St. Hesychios, Simone Weil, and many others, Laird shows how we can uncover the deeper levels of awareness that rest within us like buried treasure waiting to be found. The key insight of the book is that as our practice matures, so will our experience of life's ordeals, sorrows, and joys expand into generous, receptive maturity. We learn to see whatever difficulties we experience in meditation--boredom, lethargy, arrogance, depression, grief, anxiety--not as obstacles to be overcome but as opportunities to practice surrender to what is. With clarity and grace Laird shows how we can move away from identifying with our turbulent, ever-changing thoughts and emotions to the cultivation of a "sunlit absence"--the luminous awareness in which God's presence can most profoundly be felt.
Addressed to both beginners and intermediates on the pathless path of still prayer, A Sunlit Absence offers wise guidance on the specifics of contemplative practice as well as an inspiring vision of the purpose of such practice and the central role it can play in our spiritual lives.

Genres: Spirituality, Theology, Prayer, Nonfiction, Religion, Christian, Christianity

208 pages, Hardcover

First published June 29, 2011

About the author

Martin Laird, an Augustinian priest at Villanova University, teaches the ancient Christian practice of contemplation.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am thoroughly impressed with this little book. I have read a lot of meditation books over the past 10 years. First, as a practicing Buddhist for 7 years, and now as a Christian for 2 years. And this little gem has been by far one of the best books on awareness and contemplation. What I absolutely love about it are all the quotes and references from seasoned Saints, from many years past. Mainly St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, author of Cloud of Unknowing, Evagrius, and St. Hesychios. So profound. The author, Martin Laird, clearly knows what he is writing about and has the ability to convey clearly and simply to the average reader. It was a delight to read, along with his first book "Into The Silent Land". If you are curious and want to learn more about the art and practice of Christian meditation, I highly recommend the work of this author.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book and author have been essential to my journey into contemplation. I have loved the practical advice and the deep understanding of spiritual practice that have taken me deeper into my spiritual journey.

It is a must read for this desiring to develop the deeper spiritual life on a daily basis.

Also, this book is rooted in Christian practice which made it even more enjoyable knowing it is rooted in my own faith tradition.

Key thoughts from book:

"Our culture for the most part trains us to keep our attention on surface noise."

One of our biggest problems is "the noise in our heads".

"The opposite of the contemplative life is not the active life, but the reactive life..."

We are the most aware when we are the most still.

[Chad D · Rating 5 out of 5]

As clear an exercise as can be reasonably expected in describing the practice of the unreasonable and unimaginable.

[Melanie Rigney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had some true gems, including: "These depths must be explored; for they bottom out in God, the depthless depth that is the ground of all." It was a lovely read, but for me, spent way too much time advising use of the Jesus Prayer and going into the well of Laird's students' writings. I wondered if they knew he was mining what they wrote.

[Mike Mullard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but not great. Into the Silent Land, Laird's first book, was superb.

[Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the outset, Laird makes it clear that he will only focus on silence, awareness and contemplation from a Christian perspective. I appreciate that because I do not find it helpful when a Christian author references other practices found in Buddhism and Hinduism. There were times when I found it difficult to follow Laird as he talked about the silence beyond silence. I liked the way he referenced classical writers including the desert fathers. An example was his dependence on Evagrius when he wrote about our collection of inner videos. Though understanding some of his writing was tough sledding at times, his examples of people experiencing prayer helped in lifting some of the fog. Laird writes honestly and realistically ending with some of the practical questions that people have asked him about prayer. One take away for me is that I can focus on silent prayer, including some of the Jesus prayer, and not be up tight if nothing happens. The other day, I remained in silence before God for over half an hour and felt refreshed. Nothing really happened but I knew my loving Father was happy I took the time to just sit quietly in his presence.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Laird puts into plain speech how contemplative prayer is a liberating and generous endeavor. As Theresa of Avila has observed, prayer is how we come to know our own soul. Through a kind of “concentrated expansion” or deep attention we become illuminated in the resplendent light of Jesus. Laird maintains that we find God by not seeking him and allowing him find us, or by recognizing that he has never been far at all. He writes, “Christ reveals God as… both seeker and sought.” In drawing on the tradition of The Cloud of Unknowing author, Laird demonstrates that contemplative prayer is a paradoxical process. Prayer reveals the contradictory nature of love—a generosity that gives and receives not as a reactionary response to pleasure or suffering, but as a continual process of learning through unlearning.

[Chris Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read for those looking to learn and develop spending time in quiet contemplation during prayer. Silence and solitude is becoming a lost practice in our fast paced, digital consumption age. Father Laird gives us something fresh to consider as he draws on the work of those who have gone before us in the faith.

If you struggle with silence and solitude you are not alone. Father Laird acknowledges the struggle of contemplative practice and leaves the read with practical and insightful ways to engage spiritual practices.

[Ben Smitthimedhin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sunlit Absence expands on Laird's first book Into the Silent Land by answering questions on boredom, depression, anger, and other passions which distract us from the practice of contemplation. There are a couple of abstract chapters which deal with the contemplative's recognition of God's being within her, though, of course, Laird reiterates, the distinction between Creator and creation does remain. So you won't find the quasi-Vedantic "all is God and God is all and all religions are the same" talk here, thank heavens. Laird's contemplative practice is firmly rooted in Scripture and the Christian tradition. Every chapter is filled with quotes from Evagrius, St. John of the Cross, St. Augustine, the Desert Fathers, etc. and not the Dalai Lama.

[Ann Gemmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sequel to Laird’s “out of the silent land” this is another book that explores the world of contemplative prayer. The author spends much of the book referencing the wisdom and insights of the desert fathers. A rich exploration coupled with numerous stories of individuals today who are seeking to practice contemplative prayer. The author discusses the benefits as well as the challenges and obstacles.

[Kurt Froese · Rating 5 out of 5]

a continuation of pure gold.

[Rod White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Martin Laird's In to the Silent Land, too. This is a companion book. It is full of teaching born of experience and of teaching others. As is true throughout history, people using contemplative practice teach it as "the only way to go." So sometimes it can sound a little elitist. But that is a small matter. Pentecostals can find their way here, and others. I appreciate that he pointedly stayed on the Christian side of contemplation, since it is popular these days to to stay on the level of what CS Lewis might call the "deep magic" that all contemplatives, religious or not can find built into human capacity. Jesus brings the deepest magic.

[Sheila Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent sequel to "Into the Silent Land". For committed contemplatives this book takes you ever deeper into the subtleties of that silent inner space that is vast. Start with "into the Silent Land" before delving into "The Sunlit Absence". Laird writes in a way that lets me know he is grounded in the everyday-ness of teaching students who sometimes look at their phones or eat instead of paying attention! That's encouraging!

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unlike its preceding companion book, _Into the Silent Land_, which clicked for me immediately, Martin Laird's _A Sunlit Absence_ has taken three readings over time to start making sense to me. I have more contemplative practice shaping me now than the first time I read it, and I think this further experience is letting this book's deeper understandings of contemplative prayer resonate at last.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful book for anyone who has a silent prayer practice or if someone is exploring having one- I read his books out of order so i am going back to Into The Silent Land.
Martin Laird is speaking in Denver on March 10th

[Peter Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book written on the subject of contemplative prayer. Martin Laird manages to put into words a description of the mysterious but rich experience of this form of prayer. It's a book to read and read again!

[Yvonne Aburrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good clear explanation of how to do contemplative prayer. Couched in Christian language, but if you can "translate in your head" to your own magical / spiritual / religious paradigm, then it is well worth a read.

[Daniel]

Companion volume to Laird's Into the Silent Land.

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly appreciated his first book, "Into The Silent Land" and am looking forward to mining the treasures in this one.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of those books, where each chapter is to be savored. Something I'd like to own.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

another excellent book on contemplation. very modern and to the point in its approach to challenges along the way.

[Judie Parks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is our guide for the fall meditation class . It is beautifully written and very helpful in this never ending process of Mindfullness and spiritual contemplation.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really tremendous book that explains the Christian traditions surrounding meditation/ contemplation and the benefits that may come from a daily practice.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful in a sound kind of way, with useful cameos of people to illustrate the issues he discusses. Lots of good quotes from and references to the Philokalia, so I'd better keep persevering with it!

[Denis Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the great book Into Silent Land, by Martin laird and listening to him on a retreat, I got this second book as a surprise Xtmas present . What a superb author and read !

[Catherine Casey]

This was a very special book especially as I was reading it to prepare for a 8 day Contemplative Retreat.

[Yari · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Sunlit Absence is the companion book to The Silent Land- a book I haven't read; however, the first chapter of this book promises a summary of concepts taught in The Silent Land.
Where do I begin? First, I am not Catholic. I attend a non-denominational church and I have a Pentecostal background. Nevertheless, the act of contemplation and meditation was not something really taught- mentioned? Yes. but the 'how?' no. . So where did I turn? My fellow Catholic friends.
Thank you Martin Laird for pursuing this topic. In a frenzy, chaotic place like New York City, the search for that silence and peace is all the more alluring. One setback was that a few sections sounded too new age-y "...the blossoming within awareness.. of the flowing luminous vastness that is interior silence..." yeah.. no, thank you.
Putting that aside, the concept is simple and involves a "Jesus word" or phrase that keeps you coming back to the "stillness." Which, I was actually doing already in a way. I have a small blank book that I filled with bible verses. I keep it with me when I'm praying so that if I get distracted or have nothing to say, I just open it and pray a verse or just meditate on that verse. Laird teaches a similar process.
I liked that the author addressed things like boredom, depression, external noise and even sleepiness. By using the "Jesus word," "we learn to meet sound that displeases with the same stillness with which we meet the sounds that please us."
Towards the end of the book, Laird touches on the use of statues & icons. I vehemently disagree with his assessment that "Icons and statuary make important contributions to any spiritual environment that nurtures prayer." Breaking the 2nd commandment does NOT nurture closeness to God. No way. Also, several bible verses were not given the correct chapter and verse. I checked!
Again, I've learned to take what is good and discard the rest. The rest was solid teaching. I would love to take on this subject for the protestant ear.
Valiant effort my brother Martin Laird!

[John Everard Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while I was studying the companion book Into the Silent Land. This book is more about the practice and the distractions and how to deal with them. The first chapters deal with the mind and what he calls videos that play in our head. And the feelings that emerge and distract us from our goal of sitting in the silence which brings us the promises of the Spirit...peace and healing. He addresses the big distraction of creating stories about our life or our feelings. Laird tells us to be aware of the story that keeps distracting you and telling you who you are. The secret is to not get caught up in the story and to pay attention to your heart. Use the skills of contemplation to keep returning to the path to your heart, the path to be in the presence of the Holy. Laird illustrates his points with stories of other people who had to deal with unfruitful prayer, depression and other conditions of the human being seeing the blessing of prayer. Laird keeps coming back to the reality of the silent place where we are aware of our place in the overall scheme of things. In the last chapter he deals questions about this contemplative practice. He describes situations that challenge our ability to pray.

[Jackson Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly cannot recommend this book highly enough for people interested in the Christian tradition of contemplation. Trust me when I say that I have mostly be averse to texts on spirituality for a long time, but Laird never strays from the practical. This is a very grounded book from start to finish that helps make sense of experiences of life and the soul. This is the 2nd book in a trilogy of short books he has on the subject.

I found the second book to be new and fresh while building off the 1st in ways that don’t depend on it in order to understand the subject. I was consistently refreshed by the sources he was quoting from and the very accesible anecdotes from students or friends of his. This book is perfect for those who know things like meditation and stillness are healthy practices we need to integrate into our lives in the chaotic rush of our globalized information age.

[Gustavo Lucca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I probably need to become more critical with my rating scale. Too many 5 stars.

This is a very readable, short introduction to meditative practices and prayer. I can say I felt thoroughly engaged throughout, and enjoyed the focus on practice as opposed to just the theory of attentiveness.

Things I will be taking away include the awareness towards “mind tripping” (stream of consciousness) and how this abstracts you from reality, the practice of meditation, and the value in being consistent in your life. The conceptual idea of light is beautiful.

I do wish this was a bit more than just an introduction though. As I mentioned, it goes deeply into the practice of contemplativeness and discernment, but not so much into the theory of it, which would’ve been interested. Not a lot of quotable moments in the book, for example, because of the relatable readable prose.