ONLINE BOOK GROUP: The Ladder of Perfection by Walter Hilton (1340-1396) - Week 3

Week Three - 21 January: Book I, Searching for Jesus: Chapters 45 - 61

Reading: https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/...

Questions to ponder:
• What do you make of this section of the book?
• Do you find Hilton’s guidance useful and in what ways?
• What do you find in his writing that is less helpful?
• How is Hilton using scripture in his work?
• What do you make of Hilton’s image of the rivers of sin and their blockages?
• What does Jesus mean to you?

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ONLINE BOOK GROUP
The Ladder of Perfection by Walter Hilton (1340-1396)

This book group has now concluded, but you can still watch the session recordings to read and reflect on the text in your own time: https://www.canterbury-cathedral.org/...

Walter Hilton is widely regarded as the first among medieval English mystics, and The Ladder has provided continuous inspiration since its appearance six centuries ago.

It is addressed to a ‘ghostly sister in Jesus Christ’ (a solitary and probably well known to the author) and was written to be of immediate practical help to her in her struggle for spiritual growth.

It’s ever-topical theme is that of the search for God through contemplation, and the gradual progress of the soul through purgation to illumination and union. Walter Hilton describes this journey with great insight, in language of considerable beauty and simplicity. Under his guidance modern readers, whose talent for prayer is lying fallow and buried, will discover how to unearth it and develop it into a source of joy and strength.

Together, over eleven weeks, we read and discussed the complete text - focussing on specific chapters each week.

We read the Penguin Classic version, translated by Leo Sherley-Price. This book is out of print so the relevant chapters have been uploaded onto our website so you can read them.

Each week Canon Emma began with a brief introduction followed by discussion and then concluded with prayer.

Week One - 7 January: Book I, The Contemplative Life: Chapters 1 - 23

Week Two - 14 January: On prayer and meditation: Chapters 24 - 44

Week Three – 21 January: Searching for Jesus: Chapters 45 - 61

Week Four – 28 January: Rooting out Sin: Chapters 62 - 76

Week Five – 4 February: Looking Within: Chapters 77 - 93

Week Six - 11 February: Book II, Reflecting the Image of God: 1- 9

Week Seven - 25 February: The Reformed Soul: Chapters 10 - 20

Week Eight - 4 March: The Pilgrim Path to the City of Peace: Chapters 21 - 26

Week Nine - 11 March: The Radiant Darkness: Chapters 27 - 33

Week Ten - 18 March: Love Himself: Chapters 34 – 40

Monday 24 March - The Feast of Walter Hilton

Week Eleven - 25 March: The Special Grace of Contemplation: Chapters 41 - 46