A profound understanding of losing and finding that points us to the gospel way of seeing things. Losing and finding are not irreconcilable opposites, Fr Laurence says. They form the rhythm of life. If we can accept this rhythm of losing and finding, and stand within it, we will come to the stillness that will allow us to see the divine nature, to see God: Be still and know that I am God. God is love. In love we give, and in the giving we find ourself in the other. This is voluntary renunciation, the call of all spiritual teaching. Jesus’ life, Fr Laurence explains, is the full human expression of this call. We must lose in order to find. To find we must seek. The mantra, he says, opens the way to this ultimate growth, the poverty of spirit that is the refrain of all Jesus’ teaching.  

These talks were given at a weeklong silent retreat at Monte Oliveto, Italy, in 2007.