We were talking the other day about the value, or otherwise, of formal training in spiritual schools and organisations and what they can offer the seeker on what is, after all, perhaps the most personal journey of all. We all have our own very intimate view on spirituality, whether we frame it within the terms of religious belief, atheism, psychology or one of the many branches of paganism or esoteric study…or even an eclectic mix all our own. However we walk it, and although paths may cross, entwine and bring both comfort and illumination to each other along the way, that journey is always uniquely our own. It can really be no other way.
Thinking it through, it occurred to me that Steve Tanham, Stuart France and myself, the triad of directors of the Silent Eye, had all come together at this point from very different directions and backgrounds. At a number of points the details of our journeys have come close, almost touched… long before we ever knew each other. We have shared the study of similar systems, each with their own distinct ‘flavour’ and each of us in our own way. In all other respects, the journey to now has been individual and while we work together for a common goal and vision, the facets that we each see with greatest clarity are different, coloured by our own experiences and understanding.
I thought it would be interesting to explore the divergent and convergent elements of the journey so far and asked Steve and Stuart to share something of their stories here. They agreed, and the first to write was Steve, the founder of The Silent Eye.
You can find his story here:
My spiritual journey by Steve Tanham
Are we there yet? by Sue Vincent
Spirit y’all? – Stuart’s journey
I hope these articles give a little insight into the twists and turns the journey can take… unique to every one of us, but sharing a personal search for what is Real.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Wonderful insights, Sue, already; I very much look forward to reading yours and Stuart’s!
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We’ll be along in a little while 😉 xxx
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With completely serious intent, I just noticed that all three of your names start with the letter S. It might be pure coincidence, but my inner word nerd is wondering whether that coincidence has any significance? Numbers, I know, have very powerful meanings. So perhaps letters, too?
Personally I’ve found both private and group-oriented spiritual experience have an important place in my spiritual practice as well as how I embody and live out my values. Thanks to all three of you for being willing to share your journeys. It’s not always an easy thing to do, or decide to do. I greatly value reading Steve’s story and definitely look forward to reading what you and Stuart wish to share with the rest of us. 🙂
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Yes, that has been noted, Éilis. In many of the ancient alphabets letters had numerical values too, of course, and all the letters were (and are, when you think about it) symbols. They were seen as sacred in themselves and each have meaning.
We three stand on the points of the triangle that is the centre of the nine pointed enneagram, both physically and symbolically when we are working in our Temple space. There are a good many reasons for that; the triangle is a very stable figure as well as the first depiction geometrically of a flow from point to point, thus indicative of process.:)
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