Category Archives: Updates

The latest in a mini-series of conversations sparked by the Naked Mystic.

The conversation meanders through the Minor Prophets to the story of Absalom; Kundalini and Ayahuasca; Kandinski and the collapse of the atom; baptism and the great French thinker Rene Girard.

And that’s not all of it.

5.0 out of 5 stars – Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 July 2021

Another encouraging review of The Naked Mystic (available here in the UK and here in the US)

A profoundly moving account in which the reader accompanies the author on an internal journey of catharsis. The process moves through a number of stages in which the narrator is gradually stripped of what he comes to see as false religious identities.

Told in a deceptively readable and simple way, we are taken to unexpected depths and the need to face difficult questions. This is not a ‘comfort’ book for spiritual reading; nor, by the same token, does it offer any facile ‘return to the fold’ rhetoric to those whose relationship with their faith, or their church, is outside the comfort zone. It will, however, give them a hand to hold. They are not out there alone.

DM (see here for review)

An old friend’s beautiful depiction of the eternal quest.

Quaerens (Latin) means something like: seeking; looking for; asking; questioning; inquiring; striving for; endeavouring; missing; lacking; desiring.

St Anselm of Canterbury’s (1033-1109) ancient description of Theology is fides quaerens intellectum – faith seeking understanding.

Steve (Brother Daniel), the artist, is an old friend and a Benedictine monk at Pluscarden Abbey in Scotland, where he has been for over 20 years.

We go way back.

Once upon a time, in a land not-so-far-away, we were both charismatic evangelicals in a fellowship in South London.

For all the criticism I have levelled at that type of church in my book, The Naked Mystic, it did provide me with a few life-long friends.

Steve (Brother Daniel) Read The Naked Mystic and loved it – and I felt like his helpless rabbit in a shell floating on a cosmic sea while I was writing it (!).

I’ll be posting more of his work from time to time but in case you are curious click here.

The 2nd in a series of conversations sparked by The Naked Mystic.(It’s also available in the UK)

Rich Doyle and I range across a wide range of topics from Dietrich Bonhoeffer to the Tibetan Book of the Dead and from St Joseph the Hesychast to the poet, Francis Thompson.

Check it out by clicking below.

While you’re here why not treat yourself to my book, The Naked Mystic (also available on Amazon UK)

Here are some sample quotes from a few reviews…

“This book did what I had hoped ‘The Alchemist’ would have and more. A story of a man stripped down and finding his true Self…. If you found this book, it might help in not feeling so alone.” (LM – US Reader)

“It is exquisitely written and I was struck by the beauty of the language, the descriptive detailing and the quality of the story telling.” (DC – UK Reader)

“I was gripped and finished the book in two days, despite the continued moments of reflection it forces the reader to think about.” (GB – UK Reader)

I recently chatted with Rich Doyle of the Metanoia Press about my book, the Naked Mystic.

Follow Part 1 of the conversation on the Metanoia website.

Or click below – I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Another great review for my book, The Naked Mystic (published by the Metanoia Press).

This one was a particularly touching review.

Thank you, whoever you are!

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetically bare naked experience

Reviewed in the United States on May 31, 2021

This book did what I had hoped ‘The Alchemist’ would have and more.

A story of a man stripped down and finding his true Self, the text echoes this poetically in style as well. A poetic dialogue peppered with scenic descriptions where it fits the mood, the text itself is naked and cuts through to the bone. There’s no fancy language just for the sake of it. As a walk through the Dark Night of the Soul, it speaks to the traveller while shrouded in the mystery of the experience.

If you found this book, it might help in not feeling so alone.

The feedback is slowly coming in for the Naked Mystic.

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating read and so fitting for our times.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 20 May 2021

Verified Purchase

This is a hugely impressive piece of creative writing on so many levels. It is exquisitely written and I was struck by the beauty of the language, the descriptive detailing and the quality of the story telling. The narrative is interspersed with some lovely poetic touches and this gives the book a really personal and moving dimension. The intellectualism contained within its pages is notable too and so it should appeal to a range of readers – the academic, the curious, those searching. I read it, appropriately, as lock-down was coming to an end and I feel that the author’s journey will resonate deeply with his readers – so would recommend it to anyone.

FYI the book is available in the UK here. It can be purchased in the US and elsewhere here.

The first review of the Naked Mystic has come through on Amazon UK. It’s also available on Amazon.com.

It’s very positive.

5.0 out of 5 stars A personal journey that ratified some of my personal thoughts on organized religion

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 April 2021

An engaging journey from someone entrenched early on, and deeply, in the Christian faith.

Well written, in a personal, conversational style. It tells the story of someone struggling to come to terms with the organized faith of his past, leading to a kind of personal epiphany, which I would imagine would resonate with many like myself, who are somewhat perplexed by the way doctrines of Christianity are portrayed in the traditional sense.

It follows the internal battles and conversations that are undertaken as he wrestles with the past, reasons for his faith, and the subsequent contradictions placed before him.

I was gripped and finished the book in two days, despite the continued moments of reflection it forces the reader to think about.

I think it would make a brilliant play