The Distant Spire - Music for Christian Meditation and Devotion

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  The Distant Spire Returns 26.06.2026 3мин

  The Distant Spire Returns.It has been a while between posts and plenty has happened in the space between. The reasons are many and varied, but the events that put The Distant Spire on hold were only a short detour. I’m happy to be returning with new music, and sharing some of the meaningful events that have occurred while I was away.About This Month’s MusicThis track titled Contemplatio is what I would describe as ‘atmospheric acoustic’. It will be on my next album release in this form, possibly with some changes.There is minimal instrumentation (solo acoustic steel string guitar) and an ethereal shimmer in the background. The guitar was recorded using an alternative tuning (F, A, C, G, C, E) that has a beautiful tranquil sound. I have also added a pitch effect so that every string is an octave lower and mixed with the normal pitch to provide some low end and extra harmonic tones.The shimmer effect was recorded using electric guitar and a volume pedal for the swell effect. The shimmer alternates from left to right and provides a sense of width and expanse. I hope you enjoy the music and can reflect and meditate as you listen.(I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a reflective time with the Lord).The Distant Spire Is Now On BandcampMusic from The Distant Spire is now available for listening and download on Bandcamp via the website by clicking the the button below, or by downloading the app on Apple or Android onto your device.Some tracks are available for a ‘pay what you want’ or free. Even if you don’t purchase any music I would be so grateful if you clicked on the banner below and click the follow button so more people can know about and support The Distant Spire.Footnotes and ResourcesMusic written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025Image used in podcast by ChiemSeherin at Pixabay https://pixabay.com/photos/sunset-dusk-mountains-clouds-8516639/Scripture quotes from Revised Stand Version: Catholic Edition ©1989, 1993. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Surprised By Joy - Music For Meditation 20.09.2025 4мин

  New music from the Distant Spire.It’s been a while since my last post due to my attention being focused on preparations for a pilgrimage to Europe at the end of September. In addition (and perhaps due to this distraction), creative inspiration has been elusive. I am hoping some time away will re-energise me and provide some time for reflection, and I look forward to providing more music for meditation soon. Meanwhile I plan to jump in on Notes from time to time while I’m away but there will be no Distant Spire music until November.This week’s music for meditation is called Surprised By Joy, so named, and inspired by CS Lewis’ autobiography and his theological understanding of joy. Along with listening to the music and finding some quiet time for prayer, I invite you to read a short explanation below for context as you reflect.(I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord).CS Lewis And Surprised By JoySurprised By Joy is about much more than the life of CS Lewis; it is an exploration of essence and belief. I first read his autobiography many years ago and I recently read it again. I was captivated by his vivid recall and how important, central even, the role of imagination was in his formation, and how it became central to his thoughts on meaning and the eternal. For Lewis joy also had a much deeper meaning than the definition we might otherwise apply; joy was not merely happiness but suggested a deep longing for something beyond our grasp, and that this longing signifies our inherent need, and desire, for God.According to Lewis, this sense of longing can take many forms. For example he said that a literary person often will read the same story more than once, because they want to revisit the world that they enter into through the story to reawaken the longing for the real eternal world of heaven. Romantic longing, loneliness and its desperate craving for friendship or at least some social interaction, suggest our inherent need for connection and relationship. Lewis provides a vivid example of this sensation of longing and how it relates to his understanding of joy:“As I stood beside a flowering currant bush on a summer day there suddenly arose in me without warning, and as if from a depth not of years but of centuries, the memory of that earlier morning at the Old House when my brother had brought his toy garden into the nursery. It is difficult or find words strong enough for the sensation which came over me; Milton's 'enormous bliss' of Eden (giving the full, ancient meaning to 'enormous') comes somewhere near it. It was a sensation, of course, of desire; but desire for what?...Before I knew what I desired, the desire itself was gone, the whole glimpse... withdrawn, the world turned commonplace again, or only stirred by a longing for the longing that had just ceased... In a sense the central story of my life is about nothing else... The quality common to the three experiences... is that of an unsatisfied desire which is itself more desirable than any other satisfaction. I call it Joy, which is here a technical term and must be sharply distinguished both from Happiness and Pleasure. Joy (in my sense) has indeed one characteristic, and one only, in common with them; the fact that anyone who has experienced it will want it again... I doubt whether anyone who has tasted it would ever, if both were in his power, exchange it for all the pleasures in the world. But then Joy is never in our power and Pleasure often is.” (pp.16-18) Lewis expressed his idea of joy in numerous other works and it goes some way to giving a framework of meaning to what is sometime a feeling or sense that we know but cannot always explain. Additional NotesIn a year that has already been full of blessings and transformation, I will soon be leaving for a twenty three day Carmelite pilgrimage through France, Spain and then onto Rome and the Vatican. My parish is run by Carmelite Friars and two of the priests will be leading our group. We will be visiting important sites in the Carmelite tradition, including the town of Lisieux where St Therese produced her profound and beautiful writings that have been so influential, and the walled city of Avila which holds special significance for St Teresa and St John of the Cross. Please pray for me as go with a number of intentions for family, and also seeking discernment of my future in the Church, namely whether I should become a Benedictine Oblate, or focus on serving the Lord in my local parish.If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way.Thanks for being a part of the journey in growing deeper in union with our Heavenly Father through meditation and music.You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesMusic written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025Scripture quotes from Revised Stand Version: Catholic Edition ©1989, 1993. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  How Insignificant Earth Seems (When I Consider Heaven) 05.08.2025 6мин

  New music from the Distant Spire.This week’s music for meditation is called How Insignificant Earth Seems (When I Consider Heaven), so named, and inspired by the quote from St Ignatius. Before finding some quiet time for prayer, I invite you to read below for some context to the music for further reflection.(I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord).Heaven Is The Ultimate RealityIt’s easy to imagine heaven as a place of fluffy clouds and angels with harps, and there are many religious artistic, poetic and theological works that have attempted to capture the grandeur of our heavenly reward. Any image however will fall short for;“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived,what God has prepared for those who love him”(Corinthians 2:9)The Catechism of The Catholic Church, drawing on the Scriptures, articulates what heaven is in a beautiful and succinct way, and I encourage you to read the section on heaven in its entirety. Below are a few quotes:“Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfilment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.” (CCC 1024)“To live in heaven is “to be with Christ. The elect live “in Christ, but they retain, or rather find, their true identity, their own name. For life is to be with Christ; where Christ is, there is life, there is the kingdom.” (CCC 1026)“This mystery of blessed communion with God and all who are in Christ is beyond all understanding and description. Scripture speaks of it in images: life, light, peace, wedding feast, wine of the kingdom, the Father’s house, the heavenly Jerusalem, paradise: “no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him.” (CCC 1027)The ‘mystery of blessed communion…is beyond all understanding and description’, however we can still, as St Ignatius said, consider heaven, as it will help us see that everything the world has to offer is insignificant in comparison. I hope the music for this week helps evoke such consideration, no matter how short it might fall in capturing heaven in its fullness.We see dimly through the mists and vapours;Amid these earthly dampsWhat seems to us but sad, funeral tapersMay be heaven’s distant lamps.Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ‘Resignation’Additional NotesOne of the aspects of the Catholic faith I have grown to really appreciate is the shear number of great teachers, writers and theologians that we can draw inspiration from and continue to learn about. It’s easy to highlight the failures of popes, bishops and priests but I think it’s better to focus on those that have been a powerful witness for Christ, of which there are so many more. Here are a couple that I have recently discovered and I am keen to learn more about:The newly canonised St John Henry Newman was a name I had only come across through quotes until now. I looked him up on Wikipedia and I found his story of conversion from Anglicanism and later influence in the Catholic Church fascinating. I am now on the lookout in my favourite used bookstores for any of his writings, and a biography.Angelus Silesius was a completely new name to me until last week, when I was sent a poem called The Cherubinic Wanderer, and it sent me down the rabbit hole of mystical poetry and apophatic theology. It’s interesting to me how it overlaps with other mystical writings such as The Cloud Of Unknowing, The Interior Castle etc, and I hope it will enhance my understanding of Carmelite spirituality, which is prominent in my parish.If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way.Thanks for being a part of the journey in growing deeper in union with our Heavenly Father through meditation and music.You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesMusic written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025Scripture quotes from Revised Stand Version: Catholic Edition ©1989, 1993. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  His Mercies Are Renewed Every Morning 21.07.2025 5мин

  Let no one mourn that he has fallen again and again; for forgiveness has risen from the grave - St. John ChrysostomNew music from the Distant Spire.This week’s music for meditation is called His Mercies Are Renewed Every Morning. Before finding some quiet time for prayer, I invite you to read below for some context to the music for further reflection.I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord. Please leave a comment if The Distant Spire has been a benefit to you.The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end;they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.Lamentations 3:22-23Every Day A New DayWhat a comforting, reassuring truth this is; that every day is a new day in God. The daily rising of the sun is a reminder to us the constant renewal of His mercy and grace. It is a time where we can repent of sin, reach out for forgiveness, and renew our attitude of gratitude; thankfulness for his lovingkindness that leads us to that place. It was “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.”. Rather than a time of sorrow the morning is a daily revelation of hope, renewal and opportunity.The Catechism of the Catholic Church states:“Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one’s life, with hope in God’s mercy and trust in the help of his grace.”Interestingly, according to an article on Catholic Online News, science now confirms what our faith has long taught – that mornings are, indeed, the happiest time of day. I recommend reading out the article in its entirety but include here the following quote:“This scientific perspective aligns beautifully with Catholic teaching. The morning has long been considered a sacred time—an opportunity to start anew with prayer, gratitude, and purpose. The Liturgy of the Hours, particularly Lauds (morning prayer), is designed to begin the day in praise of God. The Psalms frequently speak of morning joy: “O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (Psalm 5:3).”Below is the prayer called the embolism, often inserted into the Lord’s Prayer. It dates back to the first centuries of the church, and is prayed at Lauds (early morning prayer).Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.Pray with great confidence, with confidence based upon the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray - St. Louis de MontfortIf you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way.Additional NotesYears before I became Catholic I read that JRR Tolkien (of Lord of the Rings fame), attended Mass each morning. I was intrigued by this idea of attending church every day, as my concept of a church service was largely non-liturgical and sermon focused, and I wondered why someone would want to go to that trouble. I also wondered, “who has the time for that?”.Once I grew to understand and appreciate the liturgy and the sacraments, the Mass became so attractive and invigorating to my faith that I started attending weekday Mass. I now attend when I am able before work and it spiritually prepares me for the day ahead. The daily mass brings to us a fresh reminder of God’s mercy every morning.You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesMusic written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025Scripture quotes from Revised Stand Version: Catholic Edition ©1989, 1993. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Deep Calls To Deep 11.07.2025 7мин

  “How insignificant Earth seems to me when I consider heaven”. - St Ignatius of LoyolaNew music from the Distant Spire.This week’s music for meditation is called Deep Unto Deep. Before finding some quiet time for prayer, I invite you to read below for some context to the music for further reflection.I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord. Please leave a comment if The Distant Spire has been a benefit to you.A Psalm of LongingDeep calls to deep at the thunder of your cataracts;all your waves and your billows have gone over me.By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.Psalm 42:7-8The beautiful poetic imagery of the psalm calls to mind the continual and universal longing of our souls for something greater and deeper beyond this world, which is ultimately a longing for God our Creator. For CS Lewis longing was a central theme throughout much of his writing. He said that we can all relate to a yearning for something more, and this suggests that there is something more. Regarding this universal longing, he says, “Now if we are made for heaven, the desire for our proper place will be already in us, but not yet attached to the true object, and will even appear as the rival of that object … If a trans temporal, transfinite good is our real destiny, then any other good on which our desire fixes must be in some degree fallacious, must bear at best only a symbolical relation to what will truly satisfy.”He says that longing is aroused through an appreciation of nature, films, books, and other sources that excite the imagination, but they are ultimately unfulfilling: “Our commonest expedient is to call it beauty and behave as if that had settled the matter.…The books or the music in which we thought the beauty was located will betray us if we trust to them; it was not in them, it only came through them, and what came through them was longing.These things—the beauty, the memory of our own past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself, they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshippers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only the scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, news from a country we have never yet visited.“Feeling and longing are the motive forces behind all human endeavour and human creations.” Albert Einstein Our enchantment with, and creation of, entertainment, arts and other means demonstrate our attempts at fulfilling of this longing, but they are temporal, and the desire remains. Longing is a sense that we are on an incomplete journey and we are yearning for the completion – our eternal home, so we should not see longing as a negative thing, but an innate desire, placed in us by God and part of our very being, that will lead us closer to Him if we pursue this longing with an equal desire for truth. Longing may just be the strongest creative force known, and its aim should lead us heavenward.Additional NotesI continue to seek in prayer to try and discern God’s will in my new found Catholic faith, and I have been greatly helped by regular retreats and day trips to New Norcia Benedictine Monastery. It has been such an integral part of my journey, and the Benedictine spirituality resonates with me so strongly, that I can’t help but sense it will continue to be a part of my Christian life going forward.If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesMusic written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025Scripture quotes from Revised Stand Version: Catholic Edition ©1989, 1993. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  The State Of Being 05.07.2025 9мин

  “What matters in life is not great deeds, but great love.” St Thérèse of LisieuxNew music from the Distant Spire.This week’s offering is called The State Of Being and calls to mind that we are firstly called to be and then do, not the other way around, remembering the immeasurable love that God has for us, and of our place in God as His image bearers and sharers in the divine life.Before finding some quiet time for prayer, I invite you to read below for some context to the music for further reflection.I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord. Please leave a comment if The Distant Spire has been a benefit to you.Doing should come out of beingIt was this off-hand remark a friend made to me many years ago that inspired this piece of music. I had recently left a church that placed a heavy emphasis on church involvement and evangelism, having grown weary of the constant berating that we weren’t good enough. As I chatted to my friend and tried to make sense of how I had tried to conform to unrealistic expectations and been left feeling unworthy, he simply said, “doing should come out of being, not being out of doing”.Thomas Merton framed this truth in terms of the life of action and the life of contemplation in his best selling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain. He prefaces this view with the following from Saint Thomas Aquinas:“Saint Thomas taught that there were three vocations: that to the active life, that to the contemplative, and a third to a mixture of both, and that this last is superior to the other two.”He explains that the contemplative life is chiefly concerned with the love of God, and that there is no act “more perfect or more meritorious”. Merton says that the active life can be more perfect only if it is the result of an overflow of our love for God. However, “it does not dispense us from contemplation”. The active life comes first (practice of virtues, self-discipline and charity) and prepares us for contemplation, where we learn to rest, reflect and listen to God in quietness.“Meditation is where love is set in order, so that we love our neighbour as ourselves, and God above everything. He who loves God loves prayer.”St Alphonsos Ligouri Merton points out that without exception, all of the saints known for their mystical, contemplative life such as St Thérèse, St John of the Cross, Saint Gregory and many others, their marriage of the soul with God gave them a “miraculous power, a smooth and tireless energy in working for God and for souls” and as a result changed the course of religion and secular history.The life of contemplation and prayer is of the highest value, for the outflow will be not only a desire to act in the pure love of God, but those actions will result in a fruitfulness and effectiveness far beyond what we may accomplish without it. If we only find our identity in God through action, whether that be mission or other ministry it will lead to distorted thinking about our value, the value of our ministry and our motivation becomes selfish. Doing should come out of being, not being out of doing. “The soul that loves intensely cannot remain inactive”. - St Thérèse of LisieuxAdditional NotesI continue to seek in prayer to try and discern God’s will in my new found Catholic faith, and I have been greatly helped by regular retreats and day trips to New Norcia Benedictine Monastery. It has been such an integral part of my journey, and the Benedictine spirituality resonates with me so strongly, that I can’t help but sense it will continue to be a part of my Christian life going forward.A Major Music Update You will begin to see The Distant Spire tracks disappear over the next few weeks from Spotify, Apple Music, iHeartRadio etc. This decision comes after careful consideration over what direction I want to take in regard to this creative project and service to the Christian community. Going forward, music from The Distant Spire will be available in podcast format and Soundcloud as well as here on Substack (see links below). I believe these services provide the best way to access music for devotion like The Distant Spire. It has never been my intention to monetise The Distant Spire so the loss of (meagre) income from streaming services does not bother me at all. I am however exploring options for listeners to support The Distant Spire financially if they would like to. If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesMusic written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025Scripture quotes from Revised Stand Version: Catholic Edition ©1989, 1993. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Peace, Be Still 23.06.2025 8мин

  Welcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.This week’s offering is called Peace, Be Still and inspired by those words spoken by Christ with such powerful authority to the mighty forces of nature which were under his command. It speaks to us not only of his supernatural ability to bring calm and stillness to the raging seas, but also our own storms and adversities. Recorded in my home studio, this instrumental piece features ethereal pads, serene guitar swells and a gentle arpeggio for a tranquil relaxing mood. I invite you to listen to the music as you pray and reflect on the following devotion.I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord. Please leave a comment if The Distant Spire has been a benefit to you.The Boat As The ChurchIt widely accepted by bible scholars that Mark 4:35-41 is a picture of the church here on earth. Speaking of the passage, as far back as 200AD Tertullian wrote:"But that little ship presented a figure of the Church, in that she is disquieted in the sea, that is, in the world, by temptations and persecutions, the Lord patiently sleeping, as it were, until roused at last by the prayers of the saints he checks the world, and restores tranquillity to his own."William Barclay’s exposition on this theme is worthy of reflection: “To voyage with Jesus was to voyage in peace even in a storm. Now that is universally true. It is not something which happened once; it is something which still happens and which can happen for us. In the presence of Jesus we can have peace even in the wildest storms of life.(i) He gives us peace in the storm of sorrow. When sorrow comes as come it must, he tells us of the glory of the life to come. He changes the darkness of death into the sunshine of the thought of life eternal. He tells us of the love of God. There is an old story of a gardener who in his garden had a favourite flower which he loved much. One day he came to the garden to find that flower gone. He was vexed and angry and full of complaints. In the midst of his resentment he met the master of the garden and hurled his complaints at him. "Hush!" said the master, "I plucked it for myself." In the storm of sorrow Jesus tells us that those we love have gone to be with God, and gives us the certainty that we shall meet again those whom we have loved and lost awhile.(ii) He gives us peace when life's problems involve us in a tempest of doubt and tension and uncertainty. There come times when we do not know what to do; when we stand at some cross-roads in life and do not know which way to take. If then we turn to Jesus and say to him, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" the way will be clear. The real tragedy is not that we do not know what to do; but that often we do not humbly submit to Jesus' guidance. To ask his will and to submit to it is the way to peace at such a time.(iii) He gives us peace in the storms of anxiety. The chief enemy of peace is worry, worry for ourselves, worry about the unknown future, worry about those we love. But Jesus speaks to us of a Father whose hand will never cause his child a needless tear and of a love beyond which neither we nor those we love can ever drift. In the storm of anxiety he brings us the peace of the love of God.”Additional NotesI experienced a minor miracle while preparing this newsletter that I want to share. As I was doing some final editing on this post, I decided to double check the source for the quote from William Barclay that I sourced online against a hard copy from my bookshelf. I bought these commentaries second-hand years ago, before I converted to the Catholic faith (also Barclay was not a Catholic). As I flicked through the pages of the Gospel of Mark commentary I noticed a prayer card inside. It was a picture of Mary and Jesus with a prayer to Our Lady on the back. The prayer card was in the exact page that contains the text in the above quote. The prayer card is shown below. I am in awe of God.The Carmelites and Mystical ChristianityCatholic Classics is one of my favourite podcasts and they are currently reading through The Story Of A Soul by St Thérèse of Lisieux. I read it last year and found it challenging, however going through it a second time with commentary from two priests has been enlightening and much more enjoyable. My parish is run by Carmelite Friars, and their tradition of devotion and prayer is very much a part of the church life. I’m keen to know what others think about the Carmelite spirituality and mystical devotion that St Therese is known for. Has she been an influence for you? Are there others such as St John of The Cross or St Teresa of Avila that have resonated with you more? Leave a comment below.A Major Music Update You will begin to see The Distant Spire tracks disappear over the next few weeks from Spotify, Apple Music, iHeartRadio etc. This decision comes after careful consideration over what direction I want to take in regard to this creative project and service to the Christian community. Going forward, music from The Distant Spire will be available in podcast format and Soundcloud as well as here on Substack (see links below). I believe these services provide the best way to access music for devotion like The Distant Spire. It has never been my intention to monetise The Distant Spire so the loss of (meagre) income from streaming services does not bother me at all. I am however exploring options for listeners to support The Distant Spire financially if they would like to. If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesMusic written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025Scripture quotes from Revised Stand Version Catholic Edition. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Believing Is Seeing 04.06.2025 6мин

  Welcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.This week’s musical offering is called Believe And You Will See, and as the name suggests, is an encouragement to step into the realm of faith and thereby be enlightened and awakened to what God is wanting to reveal to us.Recorded in my home studio, this instrumental piece features ethereal pads, serene guitar swells and a gentle arpeggio for a tranquil relaxing mood. I invite you to listen to the music as you pray and reflect, and be lifted up in faith. I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.Believing Is SeeingIs your faith low, or even non-existent? Do you have questions or doubts? Faith is a gift God has given us, and through our response in prayer we draw nearer to the Great Initiator, who wants us to know his love for us in an ever more profound and deep way. It is in prayer that God reveals himself as a personal and loving Father. It is in prayer that we grow in understanding, love and patience. By making that step of faith in prayer the truth becomes more real and we see more clearly.The following passage is from The Glenstal Book of Prayer:“Prayer is the movement of the Holy Spirit in the human heart through which God reaches out and embraces human beings. It is a duet of love in which the action of the Spirit inspires and sustains us in the darkness of faith. It is an inward call from Christ who dwells within the depths of the human soul, and who longs to be known and loved there. It is the exciting adventure of the search for God’s presence and the endless joy of rejoicing in it when it is found. It is the growing perception of the infinitely gracious, infinitely merciful Source, the Father who reveals the beauty of his face to the inner eye of the heart and the sweetness of his voice to the inner ear attuned to listen”.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project. I invite you to follow The Distant Spire to listen to regular uploads of original instrumental devotional music. These songs are intended to encourage the listener to slow down, reflect and meditate on the goodness of God.Where Else Can I Listen?🎵My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation. Some Additional NotesThe studio is seeing plenty of action lately as I continue working on new music for the forthcoming album, and refining some older tracks that lend themselves to quiet listening and reflection. There will be a number of individual pieces of music for meditation on streaming services soon to add to the tracks already available. They will not be part of an album, but provide the same (albeit mostly shorter) moments for reflection and prayer. I am rediscovering the joy of listening to the radio lately, specifically classical and jazz programs on ABC Radio here in Australia. It’s a nice way to spend a quiet evening listening to a concert, and unobtrusive enough to have in the background while reading.The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton is my latest read, and I must say it is a compelling story, well written and thoroughly engaging. Merton was a twentieth century monk who had the most amazing life. By the age of ten he had already lived in numerous countries and spoke multiple languages, which is more than most of us do in a lifetime. More captivating still was his search for God, authentic faith and becoming his true self. Unputdownable – I highly recommend it to catholic and non-catholic alike.If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant Spire This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Wait To Be Renewed 26.05.2025 8мин

  Welcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.After a technology glitch that caused The Distant Spire to be down for a week, I am happy to be back on track and bringing some new devotional music for you to help in finding quiet time with God in prayer. This week’s offering is called Waiting. Recorded in my home studio, it features sparse piano chords, arpeggiated guitar, synthesiser pads and a peaceful melody, all against the ambience of a gently burning fireplace. I invite you to listen to the music as you pray and reflect, and be renewed in strength by His grace. The following is a short reflection to also provoke some thought on what it means to wait upon the Lord.The Virtue of Waiting“…what then shall those things be which are prepared for such as wait for Him? The Creator and Father of all worlds, the Most Holy, alone knows their amount and their beauty. Let us therefore earnestly strive to be found in the number of those that wait for Him.”These words from Clement of Rome remind us to patiently wait with anticipation and a quiet confidence in God’s faithfulness. We wait patiently for the return of Christ and the promise of heaven for the faithful. Isaiah 40:31 speaks of faithfulness and forbearance in the face of trial and failing strength, but is also an encouragement to make this fruit a characteristic of our lives as we abide in Christ and follow him in humble obedience. Waiting upon God can look different depending on circumstance; it can mean endurance through earthly trial, and perseverance through the marathon of life. In either sense, we can rise above with renewed strength continually if we learn to wait upon the Lord.Where Else Can I Listen?🎵My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation. I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.Some Additional NotesAs I write I am sitting in the reading room on a cool day at New Norcia Monastery and I have a clear of the abbey from my window. Its bells are ringing again after a long period of being out of action; mainly because there were not enough monks available to manually ring them as in times past. They are now automated and bring a nice aspect of town tradition back. In my priest’s absence on sabbatical, our bible study group has been meeting weekly for lectio divina, or divine reading. It has been a wonderful time of ruminating on scripture and letting God speak to us. It is truly amazing how just sitting in a verse so to speak, rather than consuming it like it is a quick meal can generate so many rich insights and meanings. Next week I must bring my journal to capture all of these spiritual gems I am receiving! If you are not familiar with lectio divina and want to learn more the Carmelite Order has a very good introduction.I recently researched dumbphones to see if it was possible to do away with my iPhone, such is my frustration at the attachment I have to technology. I came to the regrettable conclusion they were not an option for me, at least not permanently, but that is a story for another day. Instead I think No Internet August is a more realistic goal (thanks Matt Fradd).If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesMusic written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025Scripture quotes are from Revised Stand Version Catholic Edition. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Letting Go 05.05.2025 9мин

  “God doesn’t ask that we succeed in everything, but that we are faithful. However beautiful our work may be, let us not become attached to it. Always remain prepared to give it up, without losing your peace.” ~Saint Teresa of CalcuttaWelcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.In my last newsletter I posted the track Beside Still Waters that was inspired by Psalm 23:2. I emphasised our need for quietness and rest, and how being by a stream can be an ideal image of this place, as King David wrote in the well known verse. This week’s musical offering is called Letting Go. It draws on Psalm 46:10 and is a continuation in this encouragement in devotion, and deals with the concept of detachment:“Be still, and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations, I am exalted in the earth!”The Israel Institute of Biblical Studies has this to say regarding the term “be still”:In the original Hebrew of this psalm, the word is harpu, from the verb RFH רפה meaning “to let go, to release”. A more literal translation of harpu would be "cause yourselves to let go". The implication here is significant. Rather than merely being passive, we are instructed to actively let go in order to know that God is in control and to objectively know the saving power of God in our lives.Letting Go is an extended (9 min) instrumental piece aimed at encouraging the listener to literally be still, reflect and let God take control. A popular saying when I was a young believer was ‘let go and let God’, and still is a helpful reminder for me. I invite you to make yourself comfortable in a quiet place and reflect as you listen to this calm and reflective music.I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.Where Else Can I Listen?🎵My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation. Some Additional NotesI recently returned from a retreat at New Norcia Benedictine Monastery. I call New Norcia ‘my shire’, (Lord of the Rings fans will know what I mean), a place of lush green surroundings in the countryside, where there is a sense of peace and tranquility. It is not too far from my home and provides a retreat away from the bustling city, and where I always leave feeling more spiritually invigorated. The retreat itself focused on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi. It was timely and enjoyable to revisit a saint who was instrumental in not only my formation as a Catholic, but really initiated the journey of migration into the Catholic Church from nearly forty years as a protestant. About ten years ago, I read The Little Flowers of Saint Francis and The Life of Saint Francis by Saint Bonaventure, and my eyes were opened to a more authentic and deeper spirituality than I was seeing or experiencing at the time. Thus began an intentional and exciting quest of reading, seeking and praying which culminated in my confirmation into full communion with the Catholic Church at this year’s Easter Vigil. Saint Francis will always be special to me for this reason. “Let peace be your quest and aim”. Saint BenedictIf you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesMusic written, recorded and produced by Dale Sigley ©2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Where Do We Go to Rest? 21.04.2025 3мин

  “You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you”. St Augustine of HippoWelcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.Last month I mentioned that my instrumental piece The Dawn Already Glows would be my last from the album Transcendent Horizons, six instrumental tracks composed with a desire to encourage listeners to slow down, reflect and meditate on God’s goodness. I am now embarking a fresh project, producing a series of decidedly quieter, more reflective pieces. They will be released as an album hopefully within the next couple of months. Most of them are not completely new, but are unreleased and have been works in progress for some time. I will be posting them in my regular newsletter as ‘pre-release’ versions that are still in demo, draft or pre-master stage. There will be two versions of each track. There will be a short 2.00-4.00 minute version plus an extended version of up to 10 minutes for those that want to spend more time immersing themselves in reflection and prayer with music. I welcome your feedback and comments throughout this project.About The TrackMy first piece in this series is titled Beside Still Waters. I composed it a few years ago and it has evolved to become more minimal and subtle to emphasise a mood of quietness and stillness. Sparing use of synthesiser pads, guitar swells and ambient bells sounds over an ambience of running water recorded at John Forrest National Park create the serene mood that I wanted to capture. The title and theme recall the first few verses of Psalm 23 written by King David:The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want;he makes me lie down in green pastures.He leads me beside still waters;he restores my soul.He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)Still Water – A Place For Restoration and RestMost of us can relate to being beside a quiet slow flowing stream, and the sense of peace and tranquility it evokes. The desire for a place of quiet in nature is not unique. On the run from his enemies in the desert, David draws on this imagery to compare with a place of safety and rest. So then we too can let the Lord guide us to that place where we can find stillness. Not only a refuge from the storms that assail us, the place of stillness is where we hear the voice of God most clearly and can be restored. Bede Griffiths OSB, a Benedictine monk shared this truth beautifully:Inner stillness is necessary if we are to be in perfect control of our faculties and if we are to hear the voice of the Spirit speaking to us. There can be no stillness without discipline, and the discipline of external silence can help us towards that inner tranquility which is at the heart of authentic religious experience.In meditation we take steps to achieve this stillness. We quieten our bodies and our emotions, then gradually allow the mind to become single-pointed. Stillness within one individual can affect society beyond measure.Emphasising the underlying theme of trust in God, Pope Benedict XVI said of verses 2-3:The vision that unfolds before our eyes is that of green pastures and springs of clear water, oases of peace to which the shepherd leads his flock, symbols of the places of life towards which the Lord leads the Psalmist, who feels like the sheep lying on the grass beside a stream, resting rather than in a state of tension or alarm, peaceful and trusting, because it is a safe place, the water is fresh and the shepherd is watching over them.Where Else Can I Listen?🎵My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation. Some Additional NotesIt’s official! My wife and I were received into full communion with the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil on Saturday 19 April 2025. It was an amazing ceremony and we truly felt loved and welcomed. There was much joy and celebration for all nine new entrants in our parish.I am truly enraptured with the Roman Catholic Church and its respect for tradition, the liturgy, and sacraments that have been passed down through the apostles and church fathers for over two thousand years. A journey that began in earnest for me five years ago has been a period of growth and new formation that has been incredibly life-giving. The church has also become bigger, more beautiful and deeper in meaning to me. I am excited for the future as we embark on this new chapter of our Christian faith. If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesBeside Still Waters written, recorded and produced by Dale A Sigley ©2025All scripture quotes from Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  The Dawn Already Glows 07.04.2025 2мин

  “Do you not know, my friend, that you owe the first fruits of your heart and voice to God? Run therefore to meet the rising sun so that when the day dawns it may find you ready”. St Ambrose on Psalm 118Welcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant SpireI hope you enjoy The Dawn Already Glows, from my album Transcendent Horizons. Recorded in my home studio, it has a combination of guitars, synthesiser, and features a solo cello. The mood is one of hope and anticipation for a bright future. The beginning of a new day speaks powerfully to the sense of renewal and tender mercy of God; and that with each new day we can look ahead with renewed hope, anticipation and strength as we walk in the covering of His grace. We sometimes either forget, or our view of His love is distorted and we don’t see that God’s mercy is always available – the dawn already glows, not just in the morning. It was in my own reflection on this wonderful truth that I composed this piece of music.What to expect in the next newsletterThis week’s music will be the last from the mini album Transcendent Horizons. I have been busy composing and producing new music, and hope to have a full album released in a few months. I have some new music and these will be part of the next few posts, a kind of pre-release if you will. I also plan to make available works in progress, rough mixes and demos and share my thoughts throughout the process. This will be a kind of journey for me and I would value your comments and feedback as I create and record, and write.“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness”. Lamentations 3:22-23The First AppearanceI have been reading An Anthology of Christian Verse, a collection by various writers and compiled by Dom Francis Byrne OSB, a monk who lived at New Norcia Benedictine Monastery. To my delight I found that all of the writers are Australian, and many are local to Perth. I never knew there was such amazing Christian talent in my own backyard! I want to share a couple of poems from the collection that reflect the same beauty and sense of renewal that I have attempted to capture. The following poem from the anthology provides a beautiful glimpse into what we can look forward to not just in this life, but also the next;Flight Into Dawn by Ian MalcolmA gilding shaft of sunthrust through the aisle and layin blessing on my browand I awoke todayYet the puckered blanketretreating there belowremained so army-greyit seemed it did not know.Above, a cross of light,suspended in the sun;below, a pall of night:two worlds that should be one.One day the earth’s retreatinto the dark will end,and every knee will bow to seethe golden cross descend.And another poem rich in imagery and language unique to the Australian landscape:Dawn by Faye DavisIn a shake of the softest swirl of eiderdown-soft swirls, in apricot and pearl-blue hue,one Sunday, Broome removes her shroud,and threads of iridescent silkoutline a cloud, reveal the sun’sapproach upon a still town.Across the low-tide sludge,where Mangrove grewand rock had spewedfrom molten-moutha million years ago,a lugger liesspent, still.Only the gulls and a keen-eyedchild, who search excitementin early washed-up spoil,make movement on mycamera-still.Where Else Can I Listen?My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation. I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.Some Additional NotesAs my priest reminded our RCIA group last Sunday, we’re at the pointy end of our journey into full communion with the Catholic Church. We are now in the third stage with is called the Period of Purification and Enlightenment. It takes place during Lent and is marked by three community celebrations called Scrutinies, which ask God for healing and forgiveness for the elect. They coincide with the third, fourth and fifth Sundays of Lent.On The ScrutiniesThe following description is taken from the website The Catholic Company:Though the word "scrutinize" sounds negative, even intimidating, its true meaning is simply "to see clearly or inspect closely." The Scrutinies are about seeing sin in its right aspect, and coming to understand the way we fall victim to it. They are also about the transformative healing possible for us through Christ, as He offers Himself to us.Once we see sin for what it really is, and better understanding our own personal weaknesses, we can begin to exercise the freedom and liberation we have received through Jesus. With God's grace, we can turn away from the darkness of sin, reject disordered patterns, and step into the light. This is possible for us because we believe in the redemptive sacrifice of Christ, and we entrust ourselves to Him.These are important foundational teachings for the Elect to understand and experience. During the three-week period of the Scrutinies, the Elect open the eyes of their souls, examine carefully how sin works in their lives, and make the deliberate choice to turn away from sin so they can step joyfully into the light of Christ at their Baptisms.The Scrutinies are associated with three specific Gospel stories on the third, fourth, and fifth Sundays of Lent:* Jesus encountering the Samaritan woman at the well, where He offers Himself as the Living Water,* Jesus healing the man born blind, where He gives Himself as Light of the World, and* Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead, where He reveals Himself as the Resurrection and the Life.I feel a deep gratitude and sense of awe before God as I go through the final stages of this journey, and sense the immense significance of celebrating the full sacraments as the Easter Vigil draws near.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyIf you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and ResourcesThe Dawn Already Glows Written, Recorded and Produced by Dale A Sigley ©2025 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  The Secret Place 24.03.2025 2мин

  Welcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.I hope you enjoy The Secret Place, from my album Transcendent Horizons. Recorded in my home studio, it has a combination of guitars, synthesiser and an angelic shimmer effect which I have used, to at least in some way (however inadequate), to evoke the heavenly sense of peace we can find when sitting in that secret place with God.“But whenever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”Matthew 6:6 NRSVCEMy Secret PlaceIt took me many years to appreciate the importance of finding that place of quietness called the secret place, and the importance of being intentional about it. First; to set aside a real space, and secondly to carve out time by putting aside other activities or pursuits to spend time with our Saviour Jesus. But oh what joy! Once the habit was formed it became a sweet experience and something I looked forward to. I still don’t always succeed in setting aside time of course, for numerous reasons – tiredness, other commitments, as well as that ever present temptation to take the path of least resistance to seek earthly pleasurable pursuits. I have my secret place scheduled in my calendar every day regardless so that I cannot forget, as my carnal, forgetful mind is often want to do.The secret place is not only our temporary escape from the pressures and distractions of daily life, but a place where the voice of God becomes clearer, his presence and his love is felt more intimately, and the space between heaven and earth becomes thinner.CS Lewis and The Secret PlaceAuthor Kevin Ott draws on the writings of CS Lewis in CS Lewis and Joy, a five day devotional from YouVersion that elaborates further on spending time in the secret place:“The secret place is where you bare your heart before God and pour every ounce of it at His feet ─ whether it be sorrow, gladness, thanksgiving, intercession, or all of it mixed together. In turn, God draws near and shelters you with His presence in the secret place.Success in the secret place is not reaching a certain emotional epiphany every time we are with God. Success is not walking away with a sense of righteousness and patting ourselves on the back because we did all the right things. Success is simply showing up. The moment you’ve taken that first step to spend time with God, to be alone with Him, your time in the secret place is already a success.The secret place … provides an eternal perspective that sets the tone for everything else in our lives. The time we spend in the secret place, in other words, begins to cure our hearts of fear ─ especially the paralysing fear of losing people or things precious to us. The secret place makes us fearless … and the more time we spend in the secret place, the more we gain great revelations of God’s character, love, and of Heaven itself.”“You show me the path of life. In your presence there is fullness of joy; in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”Psalm 16:11 NRSVCEWhere Else Can I Listen?My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation. I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.Some Additional NotesOn 13 March my wife and I attended the liturgy for The Rite of Election and Formal Recognition of Candidates as part of the RCIA along with around 210 other new entrants. It was a beautiful ceremony held at St Mary’s Cathedral in Perth. Put simply, it is an important step in the journey of formation before being fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Our names were presented on a scroll to the Archbishop and it was an elaborate, awe inspiring ceremony. There was an air of celebration and we felt so welcomed into the Roman Catholic Church. My only disappointment was not getting to meet the Archbishop, Most Rev Timothy Costelloe SDB. Please pray for us as we continue onwards and upwards through The Scrutinies culminating with Confirmation at Easter Vigil.If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and Resources This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Abide In Me 10.03.2025 2мин

  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. (John 15:4) RSVCEWelcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.I hope you enjoy Abide In Me, a track from my album Transcendent Horizons. Recorded in my home studio, it features gentle guitar, mellow synthesisers and a heavenly choir - perfect for contemplating the God’s faithfulness and helping us to fix our gaze upon Him.Last year I published a newsletter post that delved into the scripture spoken by Jesus and what it means for us here. It also included an early version of the musical piece in this newsletter. Here is a short excerpt: Jesus said he is the true vine, not just any vine, and the promise of fruitfulness is assured when the branch (we) remain on it. Just like the branches of a vine need to be joined to bear fruit, so we need to be joined (i.e., remain in Him), to be fruitful. And we will not just bear fruit, but much fruit. For our part, there is a wilful dependence required – a trust that is difficult at times to maintain, but necessary.Life, according to Jesus, involves participation. Being connected to the Life Giver not only ensures life, but life more abundantly, and as we cooperate and participate we will bear good fruit, both in the temporal and eternal. As you listen to the music reflect on the beauty of this image of the vine and the vine dresser.Where Else Can I Listen?My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation. I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.Some Additional NotesI attended a Carmelite day retreat on 4 March. The retreat centre is situated in suburban Perth and is like an oasis of tranquility, situated on a hill with a beautiful garden, statues of saints and meandering paths – perfect for quiet prayer and reflection. The day centred around learning about the spirituality of St John of the Cross, a Carmelite Friar who has been influential and central to the teachings of the Carmelite Order. He is best known for his spiritual poem Dark Night of the SoulThe poem has profound meaning and helps us understand the journey of spiritual growth with eventual union with God:Dark Night of the SoulOn a dark night,Kindled in love with yearnings—oh, happy chance!—I went forth without being observed,My house being now at rest.In darkness and secure,By the secret ladder, disguised—oh, happy chance!—In darkness and in concealment,My house being now at rest.In the happy night,In secret, when none saw me,Nor I beheld aught,Without light or guide,save that which burned in my heart.This light guided meMore surely than the light of noondayTo the place where he (well I knew who!)was awaiting me—A place where none appeared.Oh, night that guided me,Oh, night more lovely than the dawn,Oh, night that joinedBeloved with lover,Lover transformed in the Beloved!Upon my flowery breast,Kept wholly for himself alone,There he stayed sleeping,and I caressed him,And the fanning of the cedars made a breeze.The breeze blew from the turretAs I parted his locks;With his gentle handhe wounded my neckAnd caused all my senses to be suspended.I remained, lost in oblivion;My face I reclined on the Beloved.All ceased and I abandoned myself,Leaving my caresforgotten among the lilies.If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and Resources This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Footprints 25.02.2025 3мин

  We are never alone…Welcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.I hope you enjoy Footprints a track from my first album Transcendental Horizons. Recorded in my home studio, it features solo acoustic guitar with the soothing sound of the ocean and ambient textures created with electric guitar.About the inspirationI was a twenty year old newly baptised christian working in a factory making ammunition boxes, when I became friends with a work colleague who was adopted and had grown up in a Salvation Army family. He wasn’t a practising christian and he used to mock my faith (but in the nicest way possible). He did end up coming to church at my invitation once but he wasn’t swayed in his views. He approached me one day at work and gave me a poem written on rice paper. I had never seen rice paper or the poem before but as I read it the simplicity, beauty, and meaning touched me profoundly:Footprints in the SandOne night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky. In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there were one set of footprints.This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints.So I said to the Lord, "You promised me Lord, that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there have only been one set of footprints in the sand.Why, when I needed you most, you have not been there for me?"The Lord replied,"The times when you have seen only one set of footprints, is when I carried you."I was struck immediately with a ‘that’s me’ moment. With all of life’s challenges, trials, disappointments, especially as a child and wondering where God was, I realised that He was there with me. I thought to myself, “So that’s what that strange comforting feeling was when I was in the depths of despair?”. I remember this poem and its message from time to time especially when God feels distant. We should be encouraged and assured that He will never leave us or forsake us, no matter what challenges, trials and desolations assail us in this life. About the processIn music the concepts of space and ‘busyness’ are commonly used to describe the arrangement and instrumentation of a song. Some genres are busy, some are minimal, some are shades of both and can be very dynamic. The tendency is sometimes to go for filling every space. This also applies to our lives; apart from the non-negotiable and necessary tasks of life, it is easy to fill every space with screen time, entertainment and what a Benedictine monk described to me as low quality activity. It takes an intentional effort, restraint, and discipline to stop and let God fill the silence and the downtime. I have attempted to achieve this effect with Footprints, albeit with ambience not silence, or musical space – otherwise it wouldn’t be music right? The arrangement is sparse and minimal, encouraging you to slow down, tune in and wait. Let God fill the spaces as you listen and reflect on how he carries us, by His grace, through the difficulties and trials of life. Where Else Can I Listen?My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation. I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.Some Additional NotesI’m still making my way through The Interior Castle by St Teresa of Avila. I am a slow reader and taking notes, as I want to retain as much as I can. I will be going on a pilgrimage which will include visiting the city of Avila later this year so it is especially important for me to have a connection with her writings. I have already been challenged by her deep humility.I highly recommend Emily G for her series of posts with a chapter by chapter commentary. If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and Resources This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com
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  Transcendent Horizons 10.02.2025 2мин

  “How insignificant earth seems to me when I consider Heaven”. St. Ignatius of LoyolaWelcome to the latest newsletter from The Distant Spire.I hope you enjoy Transcendent Horizons, the title track from my first Distant Spire album. Recorded in my home studio, it has a combination of soothing guitars and ethereal synthesisers with a relaxing mood - perfect for contemplating the sublime, transcendent nature of God.Transcendence is that mysterious attribute of God that makes part of him unknowable: For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.(Isaiah 55:8-9 RSVCE)The Catholic Catechism teaches: “We must purify our language … if we are not to confuse our image of God - the inexpressible, the incomprehensible, the invisible, the ungraspable, the transcendent — with human representations. Human words always fall short of the mystery of God.” [CCC 42]Transcendence helps us to reflect on the mysteries of God and our relationship with Him with an open mind, heart, will, and intellect. Transcendence helps us look forward to the time of perfect happiness while being rightly dependent on God now.As you listen to the track, reflect on this inexpressible, incomprehensible, transcendent image of God, and consider that we have so much to look forward to as we walk faithfully with Him.Where Else Can I Listen?My music is available through the links below. I invite you to listen and subscribe to The Distant Spire for regular updates of music for meditation. I recommend headphones or full range speakers both for listening quality and to provide some isolation from the noise and business so you can more easily enter into a quiet time with the Lord.Some Additional NotesI’m currently reading The Interior Castle by St Teresa of Avila. I received a Gatto Books voucher for Christmas and thought it would be a timely read as I will be going on a pilgrimage which will include visiting the city of Avila later this year. I have already been challenged by her deep humility; “Thus I am only writing to my sisters, the idea that any one else could benefit from what I say would be absurd. Our Lord will be doing me a great favour if He enables me to help but one of the nuns to praise Him a little better…”. From this place of devotion and sense of service, St Teresa wrote one of the great Christian classics and an inspiration for all who desire deeper spirituality and holiness.If you want to support The Distant SpireYou can help me with my motivation by subscribing to my newsletter, and sharing a link would be the nicest compliment you could give me - it says my work is worthy of not just your time but those that are important to you.🎵 The Distant Spire is a reader supported project that does not currently receive any financial support and content is free. Music from The Distant Spire is also available through the links below. I highly value your comments and encouragement so please leave a comment if what you enjoy what you hear, and if it resonates with you or helps you in any way. You can read more about The Distant Spire and the concept behind it on my About Page.God bless you and keep you,D.A SigleyThe Distant SpireFootnotes and Resources This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thedistantspire.substack.com