The Keeping Life

At-tending:

"Mason had shown me that the notebooks can be forms of vitality, literally the shape and outline, the liturgy of the attentive life. They nurture the science of relations and the art of mindfulness. They teach us to see the very brief beauty of now, to know the landscape of here, to be present in all our pleasures and pains. Through them, we, haltingly, dwell in a world of ideas and connections with an ever-higher opinion of God and his works and as truer students of Divinity." The Living Page

"...teachers, as well as children, develop amazingly”
~ Charlotte Mason

Mind the Gap:

My foray into “the P.N.E.U. philosophy of non-encroachment” began typically with a simple desire: wanting my children to grow up to be readers. Enthralled by the soundness of Mason’s literature-based approach, a little reading led to more and deeper reading and eventually a search for the original Book of Centuries. Beguiled further by the unity sparkling amongst her gathered principles, the brilliance of Mason’s notebooks came into focus as I worked on The Living Page.

Still trying to put my finger on what happens in that mystical space between the reader and the page, recognizing that Mason sees a reality that the phrase, Lectio Divina barely touches, I pursued the practice of One Hundred Days of Keeping with Studying to Be Quiet. All of it has been a sort of blind groping after mystery which grew by degrees into the realization that though one would never arrive, here was a woman who could show us where and how to stand to practice the Presence. Here was a “people view” that still rang true no matter where the Church had been. I write because I need Mason’s clear, almost uncanny, thinking about “the Unique Philosophy included in the Christian religion.” I am being changed by the Christ I see in and through her work and by the exercise with others of trying to put into words and body the metanoia nestled within her practice.

I am still studying because Mason puts her finger on an impetus that doesn’t change: “It is extraordinary how wide is the gap between theory and practice in most of our lives.” Perhaps you have noticed this gap too.

"...(our) chief business in life is the navigation of an unknown craft." ~ Charlotte Mason

After many years of walking with Mason sojourners, reading circles, co-ops, and schools, I see a pattern emerging. Beyond our initial quest for what to do for and (sadly) to children, Mason's readers inevitably find themselves on a common and yet absolutely bespoke path to sewing up this gap -- becoming simultaneously more fully alive and more substantial teachers.

The entries found here are my attempt to notice the signposts (needles and thread?) of this ineffable journey. They show rather more than they tell, intentionally -- "our method" under Mason's tutelage being one of quiet restraint, inviting each reader to make the connections and relationships most needful without much pre-digesting. But with fond imaginings of "being of use," allow me, sherpa-like, to offer this sketch of a map:

Cardinal Points:

1. Mason is always inviting us to deepen our study.

2. The Adorable Person and His Standing Aside method are her True North.

3. No-one can become a Keeper for me - aka "I'm the only one I get to bring to the party." (Read the volumes! Offer yourself the Mason practices alongside your students.)

4. It looks like its all about the children but don't be fooled, the ultimate destination is Practicing the Presence.

Seven Possible Trailheads:

1. Notice the types of notebooks Mason suggests by wandering through the In My Notebook section.

2. Start a notebook for yourself, perhaps one of the three pillars: a Commonplace, a Nature Notebook, or a Book of Centuries.

3. Join the One Hundred Days of Keeping. Or add another notebook to your life once the first has become a habit.

4. Make a copybook of just the 100 words. Start to notice them in your reading. Notice other Standing Aside words.

5. Think about Lectio Divina and begin a meditative practice with or without the 100 words.

6. Think about Visio Divina and begin a picture study practice with or without the images accompanying  the 100 words.

7. Join or start a Charlotte Mason reading circle. Collect and speak these Standing Aside words to each other. Often.

The paths are infinite...but sure to include, "Atmosphere, Discipline, and Life. Please share what you are noticing along your way. It encourages all of us.

Keeping the Faith,
Laurie

to Keep: (verb)

"Woman Reading," Edouard Vuillard