Martin Laird is the author of three highly-regarded books on Christian contemplative spirituality: Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation, A Sunlit Absence: Silence, Awareness and Contemplation, and An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation and Liberation.

He is an Augustinian friar, and Professor of Early Christian Studies at Villanova University. He is also the author of an academic monograph, Gregory of Nyssa and the Grasp of Faith. Father Martin lectures and leads retreats widely through the United States, the United Kingdom and Ireland. His books are deeply grounded in the Christian tradition and yet are accessible guides to how silence integrates into prayer and everyday life.

Fr. Martin joined Carl and Kevin for a conversation over Skype, and a week later spoke with us again, this time with Cassidy joining us as well. Thanks to his generosity, this is our longest interview yet, and we hope our listeners will find insight and meaning in this thoughtful and perceptive conversation on silence and the spiritual life.

The 'silent land' is you. — Martin Laird
Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode:

Martin Laird, Into the Silent Land: A Guide to the Christian Practice of Contemplation,
Martin Laird, A Sunlit Absence: Silence, Awareness and Contemplation
Martin Laird, An Ocean of Light: Contemplation, Transformation and Liberation.
Martin Laird, Gregory of Nyssa and the Grasp of Faith
Gregory of Nyssa, From Glory to Glory
Nikodemos of the Holy Mountain and Makarios of Corinth, Compilers:





The Philokalia, The Complete Text



Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three
Volume Four

Early Fathers from the Philokalia
Writings from the Philokalia on Prayer of the Heart

Thomas Keating, Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer
Cynthia Bourgeault, The Heart of Centering Prayer
Laurence Freeman, Web of Silence: Letters to Meditators
John Main, Door to Silence: An Anthology for Meditation
John Climacus, The Ladder of Divine Ascent
Carl Rogers, On Becoming a Person
Albert Einstein, Ideas and Opinions
The Desert Mothers and Fathers, Early Christian Wisdom Sayings
Teresa of Ávila, Collected Works Volume 2: The Way of Perfection and The Interior Castle
John of the Cross, Collected Works of St. John of the Cross
Elias Marechal, Tears of an Innocent God
Augustine, The Confessions of Saint Augustine

Episode 55: Silent Land, Luminous Ocean: A Conversation with Martin Laird (Part One)
Hosted by: Kevin Johnson
With: Carl McColman
Guest: Fr. Martin Laird, OSA
Date Recorded: February 18, 2019