It is complex to attempt to distil his teaching as so much of it was an exploration, a moving towards, rather than a fixed position or theology. He believed in the work of the Holy Spirit and that the work of the contemplative was not to seek what he or she asked of God but rather to wait upon God. The monk or nun could only rid themselves of distractions and obstacles which interfere with the bestowal of spiritual gifts from God, not seek the gifts for themselves. It was this sense of patience and humility that flowed through William’s witness and made him so authentic to those who met him. He was not putting forward a spiritual plan or teaching others a technique of prayer. He advised and encouraged the clearing away of the emotional and spiritual debris that cluttered the individual soul, this being achieved through a path of repentance and forgiveness; then to await the gifts of God through prayer and silence. It was a challenging path, yet a simple one in its approach unhampered by mystical complexity.
Father William’s Baton, by Peta Dunstan, in Stephen Platten. Oneness: The Dynamics of Monasticism . SCM Press.
I am a little “aimless” at the moment. (Not to be confused with “harmless” which I am all the time.) I have dipped in and out of various books without much purpose. I found the above and thought it was worth sharing. “To get ready to wait on God”.
this solitary life 