Evelyn Underhill

You might wonder why Sistertech is such a big fan of Evelyn Underhill. I’ve been talking to the Lenny in the Public Relations Department about the branding problem. Well, I think it is a problem.

You see, try as I might, when I suggest people read Underhill, they visibly shudder. It is as though I were telling them that the clock is ticking on the Second Coming and that they had better, well, get busy. I mentioned this to Lenny. My clients tend to be either Type A personalities or at least addicted to frenetic activity. Navel gazing and frenetic activity don’t mix, as far as they’re concerned.

I agree.It’s just that they think that one has to give up any kind of active or vigorous life if one is to obtain any value from reading Underhill. She’s got significant street cred on the topic of contemplation, mysticism and prayer. But what some forget is that she believed that contemplative prayer is for everyone, not just “professionally” religious, i.e., nuns and monks. From Sistertech’s point of view, Underhill is absolutely correct. In fact, Sistertech spoke with Underhill while editing The Book of Uncommon Prayer. I’m honored that she gave the project her thumb’s up.

Psalm 37

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

4 Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.

6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.