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Writing the Icon of the Heart: In Silence Beholding
The subtitle of Maggie Ross's new book captures its essence, for it is about silence and our need to behold God. Beholding is a notion that we are in danger of losing. It is often lost in translation, even by the NRSV and the Jerusalem Bible. Beholding needs to be recovered both in theology and practice.
Ross is very aware of "poor talkative Christianity." There is a twofold plea to enter into silence—for lack of silence erodes our humanity—and to behold the radiance of God. This is a book full of deep questioning and the testing of our assumptions. Throughout there is a great love for the world and for our humanity, accompanied by sadness that we are so easily distracted . . . .
We are invited into a silence that is not necessarily an absence of noise, but is a limitless interior space. Ancient texts are used in new and exciting ways, and many of our worship practices are challenged. She is in no doubt that "the glory of the human being is the beholding of God."
—adapted from a review in The Church Times (London) by Canon David Adam.
“Maggie Ross has established a very distinctive voice in writing about the life of the spirit. Richly resourced from the historic tradition, but constantly pressing the most radical question of all, the question of how we can speak of a reality that requires us to let go of controls, images, systems, even—or especially—‘spiritual experiences,’ this book is a welcome addition to a series of deeply focused and challenging works from a very serious and substantial thinker.”
—Rowan Williams, Cambridge University
“I knew for years that silence would nourish my soul, but I never understood why until I actually made room for it. I still feel like a novice, but Writing the Icon of the Heart has injected passion into my heart as I behold the Lord in faithful silence. This is a beautiful book.”
—John H. Armstrong, President, ACT3 Network
“This book in particular, and Maggie Ross in general, represent a much-needed locus and focus for deep insight and living practice over mere theology, living fire more than sweet piety, naked seeking of God and love unhindered by churchiness or smallness.”
—Fr. Richard Rohr, Founding Director, Center for Action and Contemplation
“I have often thought of Jesus as the Undistracted One who was always aware of his Father’s presence in a way we seldom are. Maggie Ross lives that undistracted life better than anyone I know, and the eloquence of her words allows us a glimpse into that beholding that is the awareness of his presence.”
—James P. Danaher, author of Contemplative A Theology for the Twenty-first Century
“This collection of essays by Maggie Ross spirals around the themes of silence, beholding, and letting go. Examples are drawn from Ross’s own life and from her extensive reading, including excerpts from seldom-quoted Syriac spiritual masters. For Ross, beholding is more than seeing. It is inward vision springing from the ‘deep mind’: non-linear, non-controlling, and self-emptying.”
—Fr. Charles Cummings, author of Monastic Practices
Maggie Ross is the pseudonym of a professed Anglican solitary responsible to the Archbishop of Canterbury. After many years in Alaska, she is now based full-time in Oxford, England, where she researches and writes books, papers, and liturgies. She also preaches, lectures, leads retreats, and engages in pastoral care. Among her other books are The Fire of Your Life, Pillars of Flame, and The Fountain and the Furnace. She blogs at ravenwilderness.blogspot.com.
Ross is very aware of "poor talkative Christianity." There is a twofold plea to enter into silence—for lack of silence erodes our humanity—and to behold the radiance of God. This is a book full of deep questioning and the testing of our assumptions. Throughout there is a great love for the world and for our humanity, accompanied by sadness that we are so easily distracted . . . .
We are invited into a silence that is not necessarily an absence of noise, but is a limitless interior space. Ancient texts are used in new and exciting ways, and many of our worship practices are challenged. She is in no doubt that "the glory of the human being is the beholding of God."
—adapted from a review in The Church Times (London) by Canon David Adam.
“Maggie Ross has established a very distinctive voice in writing about the life of the spirit. Richly resourced from the historic tradition, but constantly pressing the most radical question of all, the question of how we can speak of a reality that requires us to let go of controls, images, systems, even—or especially—‘spiritual experiences,’ this book is a welcome addition to a series of deeply focused and challenging works from a very serious and substantial thinker.”
—Rowan Williams, Cambridge University
“I knew for years that silence would nourish my soul, but I never understood why until I actually made room for it. I still feel like a novice, but Writing the Icon of the Heart has injected passion into my heart as I behold the Lord in faithful silence. This is a beautiful book.”
—John H. Armstrong, President, ACT3 Network
“This book in particular, and Maggie Ross in general, represent a much-needed locus and focus for deep insight and living practice over mere theology, living fire more than sweet piety, naked seeking of God and love unhindered by churchiness or smallness.”
—Fr. Richard Rohr, Founding Director, Center for Action and Contemplation
“I have often thought of Jesus as the Undistracted One who was always aware of his Father’s presence in a way we seldom are. Maggie Ross lives that undistracted life better than anyone I know, and the eloquence of her words allows us a glimpse into that beholding that is the awareness of his presence.”
—James P. Danaher, author of Contemplative A Theology for the Twenty-first Century
“This collection of essays by Maggie Ross spirals around the themes of silence, beholding, and letting go. Examples are drawn from Ross’s own life and from her extensive reading, including excerpts from seldom-quoted Syriac spiritual masters. For Ross, beholding is more than seeing. It is inward vision springing from the ‘deep mind’: non-linear, non-controlling, and self-emptying.”
—Fr. Charles Cummings, author of Monastic Practices
Maggie Ross is the pseudonym of a professed Anglican solitary responsible to the Archbishop of Canterbury. After many years in Alaska, she is now based full-time in Oxford, England, where she researches and writes books, papers, and liturgies. She also preaches, lectures, leads retreats, and engages in pastoral care. Among her other books are The Fire of Your Life, Pillars of Flame, and The Fountain and the Furnace. She blogs at ravenwilderness.blogspot.com.
- GenresChristianPhilosophy
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2011
11 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 28, 2025
Pretty Much Essential Reading for the Modern Mystic
OK, the writing quality and turn of phrase alone makes the book worth reading. But the depth of insight and awareness of her spirituality is why you should actually read the book. She's the sort of writer that makes you want to grow up in your notion of faith and belief.
Ross ponders faith or belief or spirituality at a level deeper than how most of us consider it. Her work is like a deep dive into what your spiritual director is trying to explain to you. I can’t recommend this enough.
OK, the writing quality and turn of phrase alone makes the book worth reading. But the depth of insight and awareness of her spirituality is why you should actually read the book. She's the sort of writer that makes you want to grow up in your notion of faith and belief.
Ross ponders faith or belief or spirituality at a level deeper than how most of us consider it. Her work is like a deep dive into what your spiritual director is trying to explain to you. I can’t recommend this enough.
April 5, 2021
This isn’t easy to get through. It’s not as hard as her book Silence Vol 1 (which I read years ago and maybe only understood 30%), but it’s still the kind of book where you have to let it wash over you rather than trying to understand. Extensive and impressive end notes. If she is right, what we call Christianity is not even remotely what Christianity actually is. Honestly I don’t know what to do with that, given I have been in deconstruction for a couple of years and was quite ready to write it all off. Well worth the read for anyone who is weirdly both disgusted by and obsessed with theology.
August 5, 2012
This is a series of provocative essays about religious practice. Maggie Ross has a web site where she writes more fully about her understanding of how the mind works and the ways that institutional religion has hampered the natural working of the mind.
February 26, 2025
Ngl i feel like i should have gotten more from this book than i actually did — my fault because i don’t love the nonfiction genre. Really liked the chapter “Heaven Can’t Wait” — the author vividly describes watching her mother die with such tight, restrained language. I don’t think I understood the other chapters that much (probably because i skimmed). Seemed like many of the arguments were conclusory or circular.
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September 24, 2019A stunning reflection on silence and contemplative prayer. The chapters on liturgy and tears left me breathless! Margaret
December 31, 2020
The book starts really well, with this great insight on "Behold".
Some essays are not as deep, and I was expecting even more on Beholding, but sounds like the author is preparing another book on the topic.
She quotes a lot St Isaac the Syrian, and it is always refreshing to see a Father from the Christian East quoted by a Christian from the Western world. Going back to our common roots...
By the way, if you are into St Isaac, you might want to read my post:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2013/01/09/b...
Some essays are not as deep, and I was expecting even more on Beholding, but sounds like the author is preparing another book on the topic.
She quotes a lot St Isaac the Syrian, and it is always refreshing to see a Father from the Christian East quoted by a Christian from the Western world. Going back to our common roots...
By the way, if you are into St Isaac, you might want to read my post:
http://wordsandpeace.com/2013/01/09/b...
May 9, 2014
A jewel! My newest favorite author.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews