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