Learning from the ancient treasures of monastic life

In a recent article by Christianity Today, on the growing popularity of new monasticism, Waverley Abbey’s Remembering Garden was praised as ‘a tasteful invitation to contemplative prayer.’ 

The writer mentions how contemplative prayer is an ‘ancient monastic principle’ being revived by the new monasticism movement to ‘enrich faith and life.’ 

But what is new monasticism and what does it have to do with prayer at Waverley Abbey? 

Reviving ancient spiritual practices

When you think of monastic living you might think of people in long robes praying in old stone buildings. Of ancient principles in the past. But, as Jill Weber, Head of the House of Prayer at Waverley Abbey, puts it, ‘the treasures of monastic living are timeless. They might just be the medicine we need right now.’ 

Jill gives us an example, ‘we are inundated with technology and electrical white noise. Advertising companies use every digital means to capture our attention. And we wonder why we’re anxious, frazzled and don’t sleep!? We’ve lost the power to read deeply because our brains have literally been rewired to scan and scroll rather than to sink into something. And, if nothing else: our brains are tired.’

Spending time in reflective quiet is an ancient practice. ‘Waverley Abbey provides the space, resources and time to unplug from it all. To refind ourselves in the quiet. And to find the God who made us.’ 

How does Waverley Abbey create space for people to explore monastic living?

Jill explains how Waverley Abbey offers the opportunity for rest. ‘If you try and sit quietly in your own living room, your to-do list is going to interrupt you. But, if you’re on a bench by the lake looking towards the Abbey ruins and it’s quiet and peaceful – you have the opportunity to lay your burdens down. To connect with God, in creation.’

‘A treasure of monastic spirituality is treating every guest like they are Jesus’, says Jill, which is the aim of Waverley Abbey’s hospitality team. Whether you’re visiting the recently renovated Café, attending a quiet day retreat, or using the Remembering Garden, ‘Everyone is welcomed like they are Jesus.’  

Jill reminds us, ‘One of the overarching gifts that Waverley Abbey offers the world is helping people to live their lives Every Day with Jesus. We’re asking: how can we help people to be aware of God’s presence and activity in their lives, every day?’ 

With a prayer focus, Jill explains how at Waverley Abbey, ‘we give people the tools and opportunities to pray. We teach different methods of prayer, like praying the Bible. That’s monastic spirituality. Reading and praying Scripture has happened for hundreds of years.’ 

Where did the idea for The Remembering Garden come from? How has it grown into what it is now?

‘The inception of the idea was during Covid when we couldn’t pray inside. We knew that coming out of the pandemic, people would need to process grief and loss,’ says Jill. 

Working with some grief specialists Jill and her team looked at the different ways people process grief and created ways to do that through a garden space. It took 100 volunteer gardeners over 3,000 hours of gardening to create. 

‘We knew we weren’t just creating a garden, we were creating a space for people to encounter God,’ says Jill.  ‘To this day we have someone gardening nearly every day praying through the space as they go. Our youngest gardener was four years old, and our oldest was 85.’ 

‘We built a garden, but really we built a community.’ 

‘It was a labour of love, by a large prayer community of people who want to see people encounter the presence of God on this site,’ shares Jill. 

How do you use the Remembering Garden?

‘You might not realise it, but we’re all processing loss,’ says Jill.

You might be grieving a loved one, dealing with the disappointment of a relationship ending or not getting a job.  The Remembering Garden at Waverley Abbey is a beautiful garden designed for anyone who has experienced a loss. 

Based upon a well-researched model of bereavement that identifies four ‘tasks’ of grief, the garden’s installations are laid out in four areas. The garden takes you on a journey through the woods and greenery, next to the water’s edge.

Jill shares, ‘I’m often hearing of people experiencing tangibly an awareness of Jesus in the garden. He’s there, every day.’

Come and pray

You don’t need an appointment or booking to come and use Waverley Abbey’s Remembering Garden. Turn up at Waverley Abbey House and any member of staff would love to point you in the direction of the garden. 

If you want to have private prayer time indoors for you, or a small group, book a slot in our Prayer Room.