The ‘Awakening’ is the first part of a series of discussions between Allan Armstrong (Brother Marcus), the prior of the Order of Dionysis & Paul, and David Friese-Greene about engaging in the spiritual life - how it begins, the different paths of spiritual development, and the communities that emerge to support them. As the title implies, the ‘Awakening’ is concerned with the emerging spiritual impulse that takes place within a soul, as understood by the Order of Dionysis & Paul.

The Path is the second part of a series of discussions between Allan Armstrong (Brother Marcus), the prior of the Order of Dionysis & Paul, and David Friese-Greene about engaging in the spiritual life. The Path means many things to many people, but from an ODP perspective it is a path or journey of self-discovery, of Self-Knowledge. It is primarily concerned with spiritualising our earthbound carnal self through the conversion of our inherent self-serving nature into a selfless being – becoming less self-focussed and more focussed on the common-good.

The Work is the third part of a series of discussions between Allan Armstrong (Brother Marcus), the prior of the Order of Dionysis & Paul, and David Friese-Greene about responding to the spiritual impulse referred to in ‘The Awakening’ (see part one), and engaging in the spiritual life.  The ‘work’ is primarily concerned with spiritualising our earthbound carnal self through the conversion of our inherent self-serving nature into a selfless being – becoming less self-focussed and more empathic. In this discussion the Path is explored as an interior journey in which Prayer and Meditation are the means by which self-knowledge s attained.  

The Work - Part Two is the fourth part of a series of discussions between Allan Armstrong (Brother Marcus), the prior of the Order of Dionysis & Paul, and David Friese-Greene about engaging in the spiritual life. Study, ritual, and good works, are the focus of this discussion, as they are used within the ODP to assist in the spiritualisation of our nature. Study includes comparative religion – seeing how other cultures have dealt with the concept of the spiritual life. By ‘ritual’ is meant the dramatization of Prayer, and by ‘good works’ is meant the development of empathy. Engaging with these subjects assist in spiritualising our lives

Thoughts and reflections on astral symbolism

by Allan Armstrong

Kabbalah, Part One - An introduction to the primary elements of the system underpinning the mystical tradition of Western Spirituality.

Part One, engages with the emergence of creation in the form of En Sof and the Tree of Life.

The Soul - a presentation concerning the essential and permanent element of being; the ‘life-principle’ by which we; Think, Will, Know and Feel. Modern opinion varies greatly concerning its nature. Some, perhaps the majority, believe that this principle is of an entirely non-material and spiritual nature, others think it a material substance, a simple bye-product of the chemistry of matter, Some think it mortal, others think it immortal.

Celestial Hierarchies - A presentation concerning how we define Creation and find our place in it. Without them we can only have an instinctive and rational perception of reality, which is very limited, as both depend upon the senses for information. It is expected that students are able to recognise and understand to some degree the Spiritual Territory and Hierarchies as defined in the Tradition, which is rooted in Graeco-Roman and Judeo-Christian civilization.

The Jesus Prayer - otherwise known as the Prayer of the Heart, constitutes the core discipline of a mystical tradition that lies at the heart of the monastic life of the Eastern Church. This tradition, is generally accepted as having existed in one form or another from apostolic times. The version given here is chanted in modern Hebrew, and to music against a desert backdrop that is reminiscent of the Levantine deserts.

Christos Liturgy chanted by members of the ODP, set to music against a backdrop of the Namibian Desert that was filmed by Brother Michael ODP.

This video gives a visual context to the audio recording of Allan’s writing regarding the Desert Monks.

Desert Monks - second part.

The Garden

My God