In Search of a Prophet: A Spiritual Journey with Kahlil Gibran

Having recently interviewed Paul-Gordon Chandler for Artlyst, I've been very interested to read his latest book In Search of a Prophet: A Spiritual Journey with Kahlil Gibran.



In Search of a Prophet is a fascinating journey through the all-embracing spirituality of Kahlil Gibran, author of the bestselling book The Prophet. Capturing our imaginations and enriching our spirits, Paul-Gordon Chandler explores this beloved writer and poet-artist, a mystic who sought to build bridges and tear down walls.

In Search of a Prophet is not a traditional biography, but a compelling spiritual journey through Gibran’s writings, art, and the places he lived. From his birthplace village high in the snowy mountains of Lebanon, Chandler leads us through his emigration to Boston, art training in Paris, career in New York, and to the far reaching places of influence his writings and art have traveled.

Delving into passages of some of Gibran’s writings—both famous and lesser-known—Chandler breathes life into this captivating poet artist who moved beyond religion to the core of universal spirituality and was a unique blend of East and West. His voice is timeless, appealing to heart and mind, faith and reason, a much-needed guide for our times.

Reviews

“A profound spiritual journey into the life and work of the beloved poet, Kahlil Gibran, a much-needed guide for our times.”
-Reza Aslan, author of No god but God and Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth

“Paul-Gordon Chandler’s journey into Kahlil Gibran’s life and timeless teachings offers solace and shelter in our divided and troubled times.”
-Jeffrey Fleishman, senior writer on film, art and culture at the Los Angeles Times

“An inspiring and vivid exploration into the all-embracing spirituality of Kahlil Gibran, sharing with us profound wisdom that can guide us through the challenges of our world today. A modern classic of spirituality.”
-Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President and Johnston Family Professor for Religion and Democracy at Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York

“Gibran, assisted by Chandler, will introduce you to a great land that lies within you.”
-Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration

"Before reading this book my only real knowledge was the poem of Kahlil Gibran often read at weddings in the 1970s and 80s, and frequently caricatured. What that limited knowledge didn't reveal was the story of his life, the depth of his convictions, and the gift of his wisdom. This book tells his story, reveals the depth and passes on that gift."
-The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church

"Chandler succeeds in providing a portrait of a hard-won spirituality that transcended religion even while embracing it."
-Library Journal

"A powerful glimpse into the inner life of a spiritual giant."
-Eboo Patel, Founder and President of Interfaith Youth Core, author of Acts of Faith and Interfaith Leadership.

“A profound look at Kahlil Gibran’s prophetic voice for peace and reconciliation ... issuing a timeless call to respect all peoples and their religious traditions equally - and thereby serving as an indispensable guide for our times.”
-Ambassador Rabbi David N. Saperstein, former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom

“Chandler blends memoir and biography in this ... exploration of poet Kahlil Gibran’s influences, writings, and impact. [This book] provides a solid introduction to Gibran and his complex work.”
-Publishers Weekly

“Paul-Gordon Chandler brilliantly captures the universal spirituality of the beloved poet Kahlil Gibran ... a revelatory and a true inspiration for those seeking to build bridges, not walls.”
-Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat, President, Islamic Affairs Council of Maryland and Civilizations Exchange & Cooperation Foundation

Paul-Gordon Chandler, an Episcopal priest, is an interfaith advocate, art curator, and social entrepreneur who has lived and worked in the Middle East and North Africa for many years. An authority on the Middle East and on Christian-Muslim relations, he is the Founding President of CARAVAN, an international peacebuilding non-profit that uses the arts to build bridges between the creeds and cultures of the Middle East and the West. He is also the author of Pilgrims of Christ on the Muslim Road: Exploring a New Path Between Two Faiths and Songs in Waiting. He can be reached at: www.paulgordonchandler.com.

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Fairuz - Give Me The Nay (Flute).

Angels for Peace

Yesterday we celebrated the finissage of The Shadow of Angels by Kim Poor at St. Stephen Walbrook. Our musical programme for the evening featured Syrian concert pianist Riyad Nicolas and up-and-coming singer/songwriter Katya DJ. The concert was in support of those in crisis in Syria - see Christian Aid's Syria Crisis Appeal.

Edward Lucie Smith and I spoke before the concert. I said the following:

Kim Poor’s art consistently plays with veils of light and colour to evoke mystical atmospheres. Dali thought that to look at her paintings was as if to 'look through coloured gauze', which inspired him to coin the term 'Diaphanism' for her style. So there is much in these paintings that seems to depict a beautiful otherness – one of flowing curves and circling flourishes – yet there is also an engagement with the shattered, splintered experiences of tragedy. This comes most notably in Rosa de Hiroshima, an image of resilience drawn from reflection on Vinicius de Moraes’ poem of the same name. Here, the angel representing the Rose of Hiroshima stands with an indomitable spirit.

Themes of healing and guidance abound in these works, however, which implies a world in need of both. I have been particularly struck over the course of this exhibition by Stigmata, as, while, blood flows from one of the angel’s hands, the other holds stalks of grain. That makes this image a Eucharistic image, as, in the Eucharist, blood is re-presented as wine and grain re-presented as bread. The posture of the angel in Stigmata is the exact same posture as that of the angel in The Healer meaning that we can associate, in this image, the Eucharist with healing. We live in a wounded world where roses are torrid and radioactive, yet there is a source of healing which is found in the bread and wine of the Eucharist.

With that thought in mind it is perhaps appropriate that we are gathered around Henry Moore’s altar tonight, although we have not gathered to celebrate the Eucharist, and also that Stigmata has been positioned in this exhibition to overlook the altar.

To celebrate the Finissage of ‘The Shadow of Angels’ exhibition, we’re presenting a very special evening with perfomances by the celebrated Aleppo-born concert pianist Riyad Nicolas and up and coming singer/songwriter Katya DJ. The fact that Riyad comes from Syria has been the prompt to use this evening as an opportunity to express concern at the bloodshed in that country and to raise funds which may in some small way provide a measure of the healing about which this exhibition has led us to reflect.

Five years of conflict has had devastating effects on the people of Syria. The situation is shocking. Half the country is displaced and more than 4.6 million people are now refugees. More than 400,000 people have been killed.

Christian Aid is working with Syrians in Lebanon and Iraq, providing support to some of the most vulnerable refugees, including women who have experienced gender-based violence, and those with disabilities.

Six-year-old Hammoudi was born in Damascus with complex physical and mental disabilities. He was given two life-saving operations by the Syrian health service, but his third operation was cancelled when violence overtook the country.

More than one in five refugees suffer from some form of impairment, whether from birth, illness, accident, or a conflict-related injury. Syrian refugees with disabilities often can't get the care they need.

Now, with the help of donations to Christian Aid and the work of their partner, Lebanese Physically Handicapped Union (LPHU), Hammoudi has learned to walk for the first time.

Layan is a Syrian refugee living in Lebanon. Sadly, like many Syrian women, she's a victim of domestic violence. During times of conflict, women and girls are at greater risk of sexual and domestic violence. Layan now regularly visits Kafa, a Lebanese organisation that supports women who have experienced, or are at risk of violence.

She said: 'Kafa helped me to get out of the awful situation I was in. I feel that there are people who care and worry about me.' Kafa successfully helped to lobby the Lebanese government to pass a law criminalising domestic violence. The law also applies to Syrian refugees.

These are the kind of people and situations that your donations can help to address. We hope that you will enjoy angelic performances tonight from Riyad Nicholas and Katya DJ, but also hope that you can be angels of peace and angels of healing by giving generously to support refugees from Riyad’s mother country.

CONCERT PROGRAMME

KATYA DJ

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RIYAD NICOLAS – Piano

Sonata K466 in F Minor
Domenico Scarlatti

Sonata K455 in G Major
Domenico Scarlatti

Sonata No 31 Opus 110 in A Flat Major
- Moderato Cantabile Molto Espressivo
- Allegro Molto
- Adagio Ma Non Troppo / Fuga; Allegro Ma Non Troppo
Ludwig von Beethoven

Polonaise Fantasie Opus 61 in A Flat
Frédéric Chopin

‘Scarbo’ from Gaspard de la Nuit
Maurice Ravel

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Katya DJ - Far From Gone.

The suffering of Jesus through images and stories of today's refugees

The Stations is an artistic project reflecting on the Stations of the Cross and the suffering of Jesus through images and stories of today's refugees. The Stations is a photographic exhibition in the Foyer of St Martin-in-the-Fields until Sunday 10 April 2016.

The traditional ‘stations of the cross’ are a series of 14 images depicting the stages of Christ’s journey on Good Friday.

This unique photographic study by creative director Marksteen Adamson, in collaboration with Premier Christianity magazine, is a parallel journey retold through the lives and stories of the refugees he met and befriended in Calais, Lebanon and the UK.

Adamson reinterprets these stages of Jesus’ own experience of suffering and persecution as seen through the lives and stories of the refugees Adamson has met and become friends with during trips to Calais, Lebanon and within the UK.

This powerful exhibition seeks to reinterpret an ancient series of images that have spoken for centuries to those who have themselves experienced suffering. Christ’s journey of pain and sacrifice is a universal one played out in the suffering of people from different faith backgrounds and captured in stark and arresting ways through the stories of a modern humanitarian crisis.

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Martin Smith, Cece Winans & Lakewood Choir - Fill My Cup.

Breaking Down the Barriers

This Sunday at the 10.00am service at St John's Seven Kings we will be hearing from Rosie Venner, Christian Aid's Regional Coordinator, about the Breaking Down the Barriers: Working for Peace in a Holy Land initiative.

This is because we plan to take part in Christian Aid's Middle East Partnership Scheme which will directly benefit 30,000 people in Lebanon and the West Bank and its wider impact will improve the prospects for many thousands more.

Christian Aid has recently launched an emergency appeal to help partners in Gaza and across the Middle East respond to the political instability and violence affecting the region. You can give online via www.christianaid.org.uk, by calling 08080 004 004 or by sending a cheque made payable to Christian Aid to: Christian Aid, Freepost, London, SE1 7YY.

There is also a prayer which you may wish to use over the coming weeks: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/emergencies/current/gaza-middle-east-crisis-appeal/prayers.aspx.

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The Style Council - Walls Come Tumbling Down.