2005-04-15 I bind unto myself today

I recently heard someone in the liturgical field talking about the resurgence of interest in things Celtic, but then had to reflect that interest in Celtic spirituality and liturgical forms is almost as old as Christianity itself. David Adam, Vicar of Lindisfarne (famous for, among other things, a wonderful illuminated manuscript dating back to the early days of Celtic influence in Christianity), has a gift for developing prayers and liturgies in Celtic form and Celtic spirit, and this book (first published in 1987, and in its fourth printing in 1998) reflects many of the influences and inspirations in high relief.

Adam begins with a brief reflection on St. Patrick himself; patron saint of Ireland, his first experiences in Ireland were as a kidnapped slave. When he was 16, he was taken to Ireland and spent six years there, often working as a shepherd. He returned home to Britain, but as Adam says, 'Ireland had already captured him in other ways.' He had dreams that the people of Ireland were calling him to return, and after his education and ordination, he returned as a missionary bishop to the people of Ireland, who have been resolutely Christian ever since.

However, Patrick's ministry was not universally accepted and unopposed at the start. The story of his fire burning at Tara during a time when the Druidic festivals of the time would call for all fires to be extinguished is well known; also, one of the Irish kings was warned against Patrick, who was proclaimed a 'falsifier who is deceiving everyone.' When the army plotted to attack Patrick, he escaped by being seen as a deer (local legends proclaimed that Patrick had been changed into a deer). Tradition states that the prayer/hymn text, 'The Deer's Cry', also known as St. Patrick's Breastplate, was composed during this journey.

This famous prayer or hymn is most likely dated several centuries after Patrick. It is oft translated and reworked; Adam includes two translations of the text here (one by Kuno Meyer, and one by Mrs. C.F. Alexander). Adam then uses lines from the text as headings for his meditations, prayers and exercises. Each meditation (there are eleven in all) each derives from a single line of affirmation - 'I arise today' - or through an entire section of the text - 'Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me,....' After each section, Adam leads the reader through a meditative exercise, which can involve silence, recitation, movement, and more. For example, the exercises associated with the first meditation, 'Strength through faith', begins with a silence reflection upon the word 'In the Beginning, GOD', follows through to a practice of the Caim (a kind of physical centering prayer, and concludes with the 5-P exercise (Pause, Presence, Picture, Ponder, Promise).

There are Celtic-inspired line art drawings throughout the text, including images from nature, hagiography, and religious symbolism. There are notes in the back for references, but these are used sparingly throughout the text, very unobtrusively.

This is a book that could be read quickly, but that would be to lose the subtle spirit contained within. Each meditation and practice deserves careful attention and time. This makes an excellent gift for those interested in prayer practices and Celtic spirituality. It is also a gift to oneself, a wonderful way of reconnecting with timeless spirit.