The Psalms -

"The windows are open. Let the psalms fly in."

Thomas Merton spent his life writing about contemplation, yet his own way of prayer was in fact surprisingly simple, "centered entirely on attention to the presence of God and to His will and His love...a kind of praise rising up of out of the center of Nothing and Silence...not thinking about anything, but a direct seeking of the Face of the Invisible.

Quote and text from Thomas Merton - A Book of Hours - p. 27

Praying the hours - Night

Day and Dusk, proud of their achievements, sing in muffled harmony to the night
"The hours were not wasted!"
Night chortles back - "whatever...."

Night is pleased to have mortal alone at last
Patient and allowing the slow measured avoidance of stillness to recede
Darkness allows the stirrings of insomnia to wrestle with their master
In the struggle, night inserts its power and coaxes the mortal into surrender and sleep

Dark knows there is much to be gained in the stillness
The stillness of slow breathing and pleasant dreams
Night knows the darkness feeds the mind and body
And working gently, methodically, prepares the sleeping corpse for dawn and eternity

Photo - SS - night in Maui