Alms round

an invitation to silence

Welcome to all readers and subscribers, both new and old.

Some of you have been reading and supporting Silentium since it was founded in the summer of 2019. Some of you since 2017 via Patreon.

Those of you who have arrived here only in the past few weeks will not be familiar with this, my alms round. I walk it each month, online here in Silentium.

I offer up my empty bowl today to invite you to offer a little rice, water, money, which in turn, sustains life, helps to keep a roof over my head, the internet and electricity flowing, for software, and all the other resources that go into the creation process that takes place here, and out of sight on a daily basis.

Without readers, Silentium does not serve a community. Without this alms round, even with a community, that service becomes out of balance with itself.

If you’re a new (or older) reader here, and have yet to take out a paid subscription to support the ongoing publication of Silentium, I am stepping forward, head bowed, to invite you to give in the form of a paid subscription today.

I always share openly the statistics here in Silentium. At the time of writing this post today, they are as follows:

2,255 total subscriptions — up 95 over the past 30 days.
107 total paid subscriptions — up 1 over the past 30 days.

1675 total posts have been shared here, since Silentium’s launch on 24 June 2019 — a vast archive of offerings on themes of silence, stillness, meditation, contemplation, prayer, silent sitting, and more. I’m in this for the long game, so come, take my hand, and let us walk together a while.

If you value this contemplative community at all, and/or my contribution to it, as the hands that tend this garden of tranquility, please consider stepping up today to upgrade to a paid or founding subscription.

If you’re already a paid subscriber here, thank you from the depths of my heart, I am grateful to be in service in this way, and I am here for all who are in need of what is shared here. Your support makes this possible, and supports its continuation. If you’re also sending a monthly donation, as some of you are — thank you so much for your trust in my showing up here to deliver Silentium on an almost daily basis.

If you’re a paid subscriber, but wish to give more, and tithe a monthly donation, or to make a one-off donation, then you can do it via PayPal, debit, or credit card.

Or you can become a patron, where I am in the process of making some changes, and may soon set up a monthly group gathering where you can ask me questions around those same themes found here in Silentium, along with some other possibilities.

If you would like to support my work, but feel drawn to work with me, either one to one, or in a group setting, then please take a look at my offerings of spiritual direction and companionship, contemplative coaching, silence coaching, where you can meet me in Quiet Sessions. I am opening my calendar to include additional opportunities to work with me one to one, including doing a one to one intensive with me, and group intensives. These new additions will be added to my website in the coming weeks.

There will also be some other new events, which I hope to be a regular touchstone for those who care to join, and of course, The Silence: a gathering in stillness continues to open its doors wide each Sunday from 18:45 to 19:25 UK BST/UTC+1 time, with no fee, but donations are invited and appreciated.

If you cannot afford to support this work, but gain value from it, I invite you to share your love for this place with a friend or loved one, over a cup of tea or coffee, or via email, WhatsApp, or Zoom chat.

It will help Silentium to reach a wider audience, and it is already clear that the need to hear what is shared here is growing. Given the sense of unravelling so many of us around the world are experiencing during these times.

Silentium is here to serve as an anchor, a safe harbour, and a loving place to rest a while — so come, lay down your weary head, you are always welcome here.

Thank you for reading dear friend, I’m glad that you’re here.

Much love, hands pressed together at the heart,
Andō.

—
Words: Andō.
Image: Andō.

---

Support Silentium as a paid subscriber, becoming a patron, or making a donation. Explore my other offerings at ando.life. Join me on Sundays for online silent sittings in The Silence.