I know it's a strange chain of thoughts but such are the ways of my mind. I drift from fun to a place of peace all the time, as simple as a berry falling into the pool. Because everything is the one thing. It's all gravity, or the love of electrons for what they are attached to. In this episode I talk at the latter end about the cosmos being like the murmuration of starlings. It's an idea I got from a monk who lived in the 3rd century. I forget his name but that too is ok. My new book is coming out on October 10. Stay with the podcast to keep up to date on events. Thanks for your support.

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 I use some columns here to discuss what bits of craft I use to write. It's all about story and story is all about one sentence after another. So here I delve into the sentences, and the images, and it may all sound a bit mad, but then that's the storytellers craft. Whether you're into writing or reading or none of those, I still. hope you like it and enjoy the way I reveal how a column gets written every week for The Irish Times. Thanks for being here.

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Why would I say that religion still matters to me. Why do I cling to religious faith. I've thought about these questions today. and happily I came up with some answers.

Find the door to the room where he lives. Find where the Presence that is beyond you is waiting for you. Religion is the boat, and it offers a passage way towards Transcendence for the mind.

Is it delusional or true or real. Who knows. But I'm my experience it brings me peace. And it feels very very human and natural. 

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I have a new book coming out in October. I was in Dublin recording the audio this week. And I was so busy with all those worldly things that I needed some quiet time. So did I find a convent door? No. It found me. Sometimes life happens. Things unfold. It's very reassuring.

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I'm in Clane on Saturday August 31 in the Suaimhneas Centre. Here's what they publicity people say -

Michael will come and speak to us about his life and work and all things faith, prayer and spirituality from his broad perspective.

The event will commence in The Suaimhneas Centre, Main Street, Clane at 10.30am and BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL.

So I thought I'd do a very quiet and slightly shorter reflection today, on the eve of the talk and maybe on Sunday I'll post a further report about how it went and what I talked about.

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Well you could say it's a profound conversation. But to. me it's just about reality. What do I think reality is. How do I describe it. Maybe with scientific language. And maybe with mythic or poetic language. Maybe the latter gets to the core. One way or another I love the beauty of mystical thinking, and love sharing it with you. 

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Last of the summer readings. Here' I'm reflecting on a visit to my father's grave, and the terror of life without phone. I'm thinking of crickets and ticks, of Graveyards and high crosses and of course I'm thinking of you. Thanks for being here. 

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Glad to share a little bit of my story as a teacher here. I loved being in the classroom but I was only a storyteller. Now I see that when you tell stories the real teacher is a silent presence in the room. And it can only be accessed through poetry. There's nothing rational about love.

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I came out here for midsummer to practise some Irish. But there's also something amazing about the ancient monastic tradition that was once here on the Island, and that led me to make a little meditation on how Buddhist thought and Christian thought come from the same single heart of compassion. I hope you enjoy. I enjoyed Tory.

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Lovely story I heard during the week about a Jewish wedding tradition. And then I was thinking of two icons that can help during times of war and destruction. One is the icon of the Bridegroom. Find it. And spend time with it. And the other is the Turin Shroud. Astonishing image. Forget if it's authentic or not. Someone made it. And it is the most amazing and serene icon of the dead Christ. This is a must. Don't lose your balance during times of troubles. Know that Christ descends into hell. And light will emerge from darkness. Blessings and have a great weekend. 

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