The depth and breadth of the Christian tradition never ceases to amaze me. As someone who is fascinated with the contemplative and mystical tradition, it has become obvious that I need to spend a lot more time with Celtic Christianity. This is why I am so glad to have been introduced recently to the work of Christine Paintner. A Benedictine oblate and the online Abbess at the Abbey of the Arts, Christine lives in Ireland and wrote the book The Soul’s Slow Ripening:12 Celtic Practices for Seeking the Sacred. I had the opportunity to interview Christine for the Ruah Space podcast (listen here) and recently dig into her book all about Celtic spiritual practices.

Celtic Christianity usually refers to the faith tradition and practices that formed in Ireland during the first millenium CE. Christine explains that this beautiful tradition is unique because it developed somewhat separate from the Roman Empire and the Christian traditions forming across Europe during this time. In The Soul’s Slow Ripening, Christine explores this tradition and 12 practices from this ancient tradition that can help bring alive our faith today.

Christine mixes history and stories of Celtic Christian saints with her own story and practical ways to engage the practices today.

Blessing each moment is all about mindful attention in the present moment, recognizing the blessings all around us. Christine explains that the Celts carried out every activity with a sense of how each one was a blessing. By entering into the gifts that are already present in our lives, rather than keeping our focus on what we don’t have, every activity of the day becomes an opportunity to connect with God and experience God’s grace. It’s so easy to live in a world of what we wish was true when what we already have is so pregnant with opportunities to experience the Divine.

Christine’s exploration of solitude in the Celtic tradition also spoke deeply to me because of how the Celts engaged this vital practice. These Christians longed to experience their faith like the desert mothers and fathers, but they didn’t have any deserts to go to in Ireland! Like many of us today, we may long for the blessings of solitude, but wonder how to do it in the midst of the chaos and distractions of modern life. She explains the concept of “dysert” or “disert” and how we can enter into the experience of the desert not by going to the literal desert (although we can certainly still do that!) but by entering into the interior space of our lives with intentionality. From taking a retreat day to setting aside a few minutes a day to enter a “dysert” space, Christine helps us understand the gift that silence and solitude can offer, how this space cultivates patience, listening skills, and how to navigate the light and darkness that will naturally arise when we enter our own “dysert” spaces.

I won’t go into all of the details because I think the book itself deserves a read, but suffice to say, I am going to be exploring even more Celtic Christian practices and acting on some of the insights Christine offers in this book.

If you are looking for more creative ways to make the vital space needed to connect deeper with God, become more like Christ, and join in the movement of the Holy Spirit, I definitely recommend The Soul’s Ripening!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.