Online Zoom Forum: William Johnston:
The Spiritual Vision in his Life and Work.
Date: Wednesday 8 November 2023.
Time: 7pm-9pm (UK time).
Event Description:
Format: There will be several talks, followed by discussion among the speakers, the chair, and the audience, followed by Q & A.
Chair: Phyllida Anam Aire.
Bio: I just love being a fully paid-up participant in this amazing drama of Life. Somehow, I don’t see it as MY Life rather, I have the awful privilege of being called to experience a very short spiral in this dramatic and dynamic mystery of Love made flesh.
Nearing my 80th birthday is such a rich and splendid privilege, one that fills me with deep gratitude to Life Itself. Joy has been a constant companion these past years.
Speakers:
Rev Canon John McLuckie:
Title: William Johnston and his works – A Contextual Overview.
Bio: John McLuckie is Rector of Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Edinburgh’s Old Town.
He is also a teacher of spirituality, a retreat leader, spiritual director and Zen practitioner.
His research on William Johnston’s relationship with Zen Buddhism led to an MPhil thesis examining Johnston’s ritual practice as a participative form of comparative theology.
Prof Arthur Holder:
Title: William Johnston on Zen and the Cloud of Unknowing.
Description: William Johnston often compared the apophatic mysticism of the fourteenth-century Christian text The Cloud of Unknowing with Zen Buddhism. In this talk I will analyse his treatment of this topic as an exercise in comparative spirituality, with particular attention to methodological issues such as the definition of mysticism, the dialectics of comparison, and the integrity of religious traditions.
Bio: Arthur Holder is Professor of Christian Spirituality at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. His research focuses on the history of spirituality and biblical interpretation in medieval Christianity.
Bio of the late William Johnston from the Jesuits in Ireland:
https://jesuit.ie/who-are-the-jesuits/inspirational-jesuits/william-johnston/
An archive recording will be made for the EICSP archive.
NB: There will be no refund if you cancel your booking.
There seems to be a new issue with Paypal and hopefully it will be resolved.
If you are having a difficulty paying by Paypal, then you can pay by bank transfer instead.
NB: you must also email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. so we can send you the Zoom sign-in details.
Here are the bank transfer details:
Account Name: Edinburgh International Centre for Spirituality and Peace
Bank Address: Edinburgh Royal Mile Branch
Account Number: 06131159
Sort Code: 802000
Some international transfers also ask for an IBAN number:
The IBAN number is as follows:
GB70 BOFS 8020 0006 1311 59
Cost: By Donation. For a Registration Form:
Contact: Neill Walker, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(for late inquiries on the day, then email, do not phone.
If you book on the day of the event you will be emailed the Zoom sign-in details 1-2 hours before the event).