A Short Span of Days

How is it possible that patients at the terminus of life have been known to say "This year has been the best year of my life". Death is a truth we try to constantly avoid or deny. But when confronted with the reality of it, we can only break down and disintegrate, or break through and transcend. Fr Lawrence shows how meditation opens the way to this breakthrough. In meditation, as we drop all immediate concerns and attachments and become silent, we experience loss and separation. We taste death, and our fear of it gradually loses its power over us, leaving us free to see life's ultimate horizon. In that new vision, we find meaning and the gift of wisdom.

About the Author:

Dom Laurence Freeman OSB is a monk of the Olivetan Benedictine Congregation of Monte Oliveto Maggiore and Director of The World Community for Christian Meditation. Fr Laurence was born in England in 1951 where he was educated by the Benedictines and studied English Literature at Oxford University.

Before entering monastic life he had experience with the United Nations, banking and journalism. In the monastery his spiritual teacher was John Main with whom he studied and whom he helped in the establishment of the first Christian Meditation Centre in London.

Laurence Freeman is the author of many books and articles including "Light Within", "Selfless Self", "Web of Silence", "Common Ground", "Your Daily Practice", "Jesus: The Teacher Within" and "First Sight: the Experience of Faith". He is also the editor of John Main's works and a member of the Board of Medio Media, the publishing arm of the World Community.