Iranian jail sullies the charm and beauty of its people

This week’s Mediahuis Irish regional newspapers’ column

Michael Commane

Bernard Phelan is an Irish man, born in Dublin, has Irish and French citizenship and is married to a French man.

His book ‘You will die in Prison - My time as a state hostage in Iran’ was launched by Tánaiste, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin in Dubray Books on Dublin’s Grafton Street on Thursday, October 3.

Some days earlier Bernard appeared on RTÉ’s Oliver Callan Show, where he spoke about his 222 days in an Iranian jail.

I was quickly drawn into his story. I have been to Iran and the Irish Dominicans have a priory in the capital city, Tehran. The house was founded in 1962 and there has always been a respectful relationship between the Dominicans and state authorities. At a local level the Dominicans cherished their contact with the people they encountered.

Bernard spoke about his horrific time in prison. He saw people shackled and a father handcuffed to his child.

He referred to his accommodation in his prison in Mashad as ‘Satan's Block’,which he shared with political prisoners, drug traffickers and condemned inmates awaiting execution. He stressed the importance of the need for a good sense of humour in prison.

While he had harsh words to say about life in prison he spoke in glowing terms of the Iranian people. And I was immediately able to identify with that. During my short stay in Iran I visited a number of cities, including the capital, Shiraz and Isfahan, everywhere the people could not have been more friendly and helpful. 

On one occasion I asked a policeman for directions to the railway station, he hailed a car and I was brought straight there. Every step I took I was aware that I was walking over centuries of sophisticated culture and learning.

That dichotomy between governments and people is always an extremely interesting if not complicated and subtle topic.

Micheál Martin referred to Bernard’s case as ‘complex’ and that it required great skill to get his release, which involved the help of other EU states, including of course France. He spoke about Bernard’s arbitrary arrest. His words were carefully chosen and couched in diplomatic language.

And just as Bernard in his book is critical of the Iranian authorities, he writes and speaks with passion about the kindness and charm of the Iranian people.

That is always something that intrigues me. I have met people from countries all over the world. I’ve met Israelis, Palestinians, Russians, Ukrainians, Chinese, Taiwanese, people of all different types and styles. 

Is it a silly question to ask, what is it about human nature that we are on occasions hardwired to see another people, another nation as our enemy and then head out and kill and maim them?  Why do we keep doing it?

Timothy Radcliffe stresses the importance of listening

Newly named cardinal, Timothy

Radcliffe was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Sunday yesterday.

He believes he was chosen to be a cardinal because of his involvement in the current synod. He stressed the importance of listening, whether it be at the synod or in preparation for preaching.

"Preaching is never any good unless we listen. "Imagine the people to whom you are speaking and then of course listen to the word of God with all your imagination”, he said when asked what it means to be a good preacher.

“We can never be unafraid to listen, not so as to reply but so as to learn,” he said.

Radcliffe recalled how when he started out as a university chaplain he thought he was a great preacher but: “I had nothing to say until I opened my mind to students. You have to imagine the people with whom you speak.” He went on to stress how it important it is to listen to the Word of God and then to apply that to the world of today.

Fr Radcliffe said that Pope Francis has appointed cardinals from all over the world, many of them people who have not important jobs. He believes he is going to learn a lot. “Because they are from all over the world, discussion will be unpredictable,” he said.

When asked if he will have to wear the ‘elaborate gear' of a cardinal, he replied: I asked the Pope to be excused and I have been dispensed, thank God,” he smiled.

The programme Sunday was broadcast yesterday on BBC Radio 4 at 7am and is available on the BBC website.

Obama rallies the troops in Pittsburg on the subject of truth

 “It used to be we had arguments about policy. But we didn’t have arguments about whether you should tell the truth or not. When did that become okay? When did we go along with that,” he asked, before returning to the essential message of optimism that marked his first coming.

“And together we will keep building a country that is more fair, more just, more free. That is our task. That is our responsibility. Let’s go do it. Thank you, Pittsburgh. Thank you, Pennsylvania.”

Remembering a Jesuit priest imprisoned in the Soviet Union

An interesting news item from this day, October 12, 1963. 

After almost 23 years of imprisonment, US Jesuit priest Walter Ciszek was released by the Soviet authorities. He was Greek Orthodox. An interesting story. Did his story ever hit the headlines and that he was a Jesuit and a Greek Orthodox is also interesting?

Is a capitalist Russia any less cruel than a communist Russia?

The scandal of food waste – and how we can stop it

Well worth a read.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/oct/08/the-scandal-of-food-waste-and-how-we-can-stop-it?CMP=share_btn_url

A 'follier upper' from the idiot’s apostrophe

To follow on from yesterday’s blogpost on the German attitude to the valid use of the English apostrophe, what about all the times we see the apostrophe incorrectly used in the English language: potato’s sold here. And the computer doesn’t recognise that as incorrect.

Regularly heard these days - I have went, I done. What about I’ve gotten, I’ve proven? Split infinitives are now the norm.

And then there is confusion with less and few. Sinn Féin in a recent pamphlet writes: “It also means less people living in emergency accommodation or in overcrowded family homes." Ouch, of course it should be fewer. But it is correct to say fewer slices, less butter.

The difference between about and around. It seems to be custom and practice now to say “around 100 people were present", when it should be “ about.....” You go around in circles about 100 times.

Donald Trump at a rally in Butler last week said: “... have showed"

Has it all something to do with a living language? Who decides? It’s like everything these days.

Germans decry influence of English apostrophe

This is brilliant and tells many stories.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/07/germany-influence-of-english-idiots-apostrophe?CMP=share_btn_url 

BBC’s 'Bombing Brighton’ gripping television

Last evening  BBC 2 Television screened Bombing Brighton: The Plot To Kill Thatcher.

The documentary included interviewing Patrick Magee, the bomber and Jo Berry, daughter of Sir Anthony Berry, who was killed in the bombing.

Jo and Patrick have met over 300 times since his release from prison.

It is gripping television and highly recommended. No doubt it will be shown again. Unfortunately BBC iPlayer is not available in Ireland.

It’s a powerful story in what happens when people can engage with each other. Some can manage it, others find if difficult and there are those who simply cannot.

Use new rural transport link or you’ll miss the bus

This week’s Mediahuis Irish regional newspapers’ column.

Michael Commane

Two weeks ago in this column I was critical of how Bank of Ireland treated me. The issue has been settled, the bank apologised, offered me redress and has guaranteed that it intends changing its practice in how it deals with complaints and will take a new look at its advertising policy.

On one other point before I get to this week’s issue, I met a young Ukrainian, who fled his country. His two brothers live in Russia, they could easily be called up and the thought that he might be fighting against them forced him to leave Ukraine. The very thought of that.

We all moan and groan from time to time and Government is an easy target.

 

I want to scream from the rooftops, shouting a big thank you to Government for what it is doing with public transport.

On Monday April 17, 1939 the passenger train service between Castlegregory in West Kerry and Tralee closed. Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) promised to replace the train service with three buses a day. That eventually morphed into one bus a week, which ran on Fridays. Since August Castlegregory has five buses a day. 

And this reality is being replicated across the entire State. Dublin’s bus service is improving by the day as are the services linking towns and cities throughout the country.

It’s up to us now, the citizens, to use these new services whenever we can. It’s time for the moaners and groaners to zip it, get out of the car and jump on the bus and train. 

Of course it is not going to suit everyone and many of the new timetables are experiencing teething issues but the possibilities are endless and it’s important for us to play our part. 

An extra 10-minute walk, having to leave a few minutes earlier is not going to kill anyone. When I think of the man I met from Ukraine I can’t help thinking how easily we can be spoiled.

But for the life of me I cannot fathom how the relevant authorities are not advertising all these new services in a more vigorous manner, indeed, there seems to be no advertising at all. 

Yes, most of the information is available digitally but fortunately there is still a reality outside the digital world. It’s impossible to find a printed timetable of these new services. I have had to phone one of the services to find out where the terminus was.

I have not seen or heard a single ad in a newspaper, on radio or television about the new services. 

And I’m also at a loss to understand the difference between the National Transport Authority (NTA) and Transport for Ireland (TFI). It seems to be some sort of State secret, whereby they don’t want us, the general public to know what both the NTA and the TFI actually do. 

We have heard so much about timetabling problems on Dublin suburban trains. 

There’s more to Ireland than Dublin, and so much of it is great news.

US Bishop Robert Barron talking on X about the Synod

US Bishop Robert Barron, who has a high profile on X, is currently giving a weekly commentary on the Synod in Rome, which he is attending.

In his most recent comment it is not unfair to say that listening to what he says one might easily be reminded of what the archbishop of Dublin John Charles McQuaid said on his return from the Vatican Council, that it would  make no real changes to life in the Irish church: “No change will worry the tranquility of your christian lives."

Bishop Barron talks about how the architecture of the colonnade in St Peter’s Square reminds one of the idea of communion within the church. He says that’s ‘communio ecclesiology’. It would be helpful if the bishop could explain.

Listening to the bishop talk it is extremely easy to be distracted from what he is saying by the large ring he is wearing.

In his five minutes 30 seconds it’s difficult to know what actually is going on at the Synod.

Two Dominicans were named cardinals yesterday.

English man Dominican Radcliffe and Jean-Paul Vesco, archbishop of Alger, Algeria.

Timothy Radcliffe is a regular visitor to Ireland. In February he spoke in Haddington Road church on  what was happening at the Synod.

Not a word about the Russian honeytrap story on RTÉ today

BBC Radio 4 news this morning carries a story about a Russian honeytrap, that snares an Irish politician during the Brexit controversy. 

The BBC story says that the politician is still walking the corridors of Dáil Éireann.

Not a word about the incident on RTÉ’s Radio 1 morning news.

Balfour’s desk? Johnson’s spoof and Mid East slaughter

In his newly published book, Unleashed Boris Johnson relates on the occasion Binyamin Netanyahu visited Downing Street during Johnson’s premiership when he showed him the desk on which Balfour signed the declaration,  supporting the Zionist project to establish a Jewish homeland. And like so much to do with Johnson, he did not know whether that was the table or not.

On this day, October 6, 1973 Egypt and Syria coordinated attacks against Israel, beginning the Yom Kippur War.

Why can’t world leaders stop this slaughter right now? The major powers created the genesis of the problem, why can’t they fix it?

Liz Cheney campaigns in Wisconsin

Liz Cheney campaigned with Kamala Harris in Wisconsin on Thursday.

Below is a link to her talk. So simple, so real and a clear explanation why it would be a disaster for the people of the United States to vote for Donald Trump next month.

Liz Cheney is a former Republican Representative. She is the daughter of Dick Cheney who was Bush’s vice president.

https://youtu.be/7ilpQh3NfLE?si=DP7jZzXxFaJIr4PB

Abbington deserves the praise of all, especially men

Amanda Abbington is an actor, who appeared on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. She complained about the behaviour of her professional dancing partner Giovanni Pernice.

The BBC spent six months analysing 17 complaints made by Amanda after she quit the show last year while partnered with Giovanni Pernice.

The report upheld some of her complaints and rejected others.

Amanda appeared on BBC’s Newsnight on Wednesday where she told Victoria Derbyshire a shocking story of the behaviour of Mr Pernice. She said he called her the C-word and made crude vulgar sexual remarks to her.

The arrogance of this man is unacceptable. Part of the moral of the story is never ever to put anyone up on a pedestal, never. And Ms Abbington has to be lauded and not reviled as The Daily Mail has done. Shame on them.

Why ‘they’re eating the dogs’ was a clever stroke

Joe Humphreys in The Irish Times on Monday.

Politicians who tell lies have an advantage because of what psychologists call the ‘false consensus effect’

It has become clear the US presidential election is an unfair contest. This has nothing to do with campaign finances, media bias or judicial independence. Rather, it’s because of human psychology.

The way our brains operate gives liars a huge advantage. And, not to be all “lefty-liberal” about this, but one candidate has much more experience in sales – which, as we all know, is basically lying – than the other.

“We start lying early in life – between two and three years of age,” says Geoff Beattie, author of Lies, Lying and Liars: A Psychological Analysis. “Charles Darwin in 1877 described how he caught his son William Erasmus lying when he was just over 2½. He had eaten some pickle juice that was forbidden to him and he lied about it. Darwin commented that he was surprised most by his son’s evident pleasure in lying, especially because he was so young.”

Like wee Billy Darwin, Republican candidate Donald Trump evidently gets a kick out of telling tall tales. And he has learned from a lifetime of flogging stuff the tricks of the fictionalising trade. “If you can embellish the truth or construct a new reality, that can always be more interesting and engaging than the truth,” says Beattie.

The Belfast-born professor of psychology at Edge Hill University in England delves into decades of research on lies for his book, which blends handy tips on how to spot a fibster with nuanced analysis on the pathology of deception.

Someone you don’t generally see quoted at length in new releases is Adolf Hitler, but Beattie looks closely at how the Nazi leader’s Mein Kampf provides a template for political scammers. “It would never come into [the public’s] heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe others could have the impudence to distort the truth so infamously,” the fascist ruler wrote.

In other words, go “big” when lying. Hitler explained: “ . . . in the primitive simplicity of their minds [people] more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods.”

And if someone catches you out with fact-checking, don’t worry because “the grossly impudent lie always leaves traces behind it”, the Nazi leader observed.

Trump’s false claim about immigrants – “they’re eating the dogs” – could be called Hitlerite in this sense. Or you could call it political genius. Even if only a “trace” of the lie is left behind, it can be effective – resonating with those who wish it to be true.

Because they can prey on our psychological weaknesses, “politicians who lie do have an enormous advantage over truth-tellers”, says Beattie.

He explains further as this week’s Unthinkable guest:

What cognitive biases can be exploited by politicians who

lie to us?“Political liars understand that we ourselves tell lies in our everyday lives and we experience guilt when we tell them. Hence the advantage of the ‘big lie’.“We also suffer from a false consensus effect, believing that others are really just like us, and we project our attitudes, beliefs and feelings on to them. If you are a decent person, then you tend to think that most people are decent. If you hate lying, you assume that others will also hate lying. But other people may or may not be like us, and they may experience very different emotions when telling lies. Liars exploit this.

“Politicians – and certainly their advisers – know that the public are poor at detecting lies and they also exploit this.

“As the sociobiologist Robert Trivers has pointed out, lying can give you a clear evolutionary advantage – status, wealth and achievements can all be important in that great evolutionary battle in the survival of the genes. But self-deceit can also be evolutionary advantageous because if you can convince yourself of something, then it can make you more convincing to others, and therefore more effective.

“Perhaps politicians reason that we cannot bear the truth all of the time. What will Putin do next? Can we bear to know? They are lying for our benefit, like a ‘kind’ parent.”

Is there a way of counteracting the “false consensus effect”? Should we be more cynical, or less trusting of people in everyday life, as a way of heightening our perception of lies?

“We need to be more analytic in everyday life and stop making assumptions about politicians based on first impressions and superficial cues. We know that people make very rapid judgments of trustworthiness based on looks – in a fraction of a second – and that is very dangerous. We are more likely to accept what a politician says once we’ve made that initial judgment of their trustworthiness. We also need to recognise difference and diversity of views and opinions and stop projecting our own characteristics on to other people.”In politics, or life generally, would we rather listen to an attractive fiction than a harsh reality?“Attractive fictions might well engage us and sweep us along, but fortunately or unfortunately the truth will out, as Shakespeare himself recognised. And then it’s not so pleasant for anybody, but especially the recipient of the lie.”

Relics and replicas

While the relics of St Bernadette are being brought to every diocese in the State, the St Martin Apostolate and The Moving Crib will be exhibiting a life-size replica of St Bernadette, complete with a first class relic from Monday, October 7 to Friday, October 25.

Plenty of sun and fun on a Grand Canal barge

This week’s Mediahuis Irish regional newspapers’ column.

Michael Commane

They were the best days of the year, Wednesday, September 18 to the following Saturday. 

A friend and I barged on the Grand Canal from Vicarstown in Co Laois to Rathangan in Co Kildare and back. 

We travelled 49.6 kilometres. I’ve walked and cycled along stretches of both the Grand and Royal Canal but never before experienced anything like this. 

Neither of us had navigated a barge. We hired it from Barrowline Cruisers. Orla and Philip showed us the routine and gave us all the necessary safety instructions. 

Off we set. We quickly had to get accustomed to using the tiller as it’s counter intuitive, in that you move it left to go right. The Grand Canal is narrow, a momentary lack of concentration and you could easily find yourself in the muck and reeds on the bank. After two or three kilometres we decided we were expert mariners. The fear had worn off and all we could do was laugh.

Very quickly we realised we were in the midst of extraordinary beauty. Travelling at less than four kilometres an hour, yes, a snail’s pace, we were surrounded by green trees and fields, not a soul in sight. Incorrect, from time to time flocks of birds would appear. 

On one occasion three ducks came out from the bank and cavorted with us before they decided to head back to their home base.

 

The mix of the overarching silence, the perfect beauty of the place and our slow speed made it an almost out of body experience.

Each of the three nights we parked up at a suitable spot. There was a great sense of adventure to that, tying up the barge, making sure the ropes were securely attached. The sleeping accommodation was fine, enough room for two.

It was three days of hilarious fun, laughter and messing. We went through a number of locks. Scary moments watching water gushing through the sluice gates and then being down in the bowels of the earth while in the lock, high walls on either side.

At Rathangan we had to turn the barge to head home. Not an easy operation, made more difficult by the low level of water in the canal. A few scary moments but we triumphed, thrilled with ourselves. Lucky too as we had the wind on our side.

On another occasion a road bridge had to be raised for us. Joe from Waterways Ireland opened and closed the locks and raised and lowered the road bridge. We phoned him ahead, usually about two hours before we would arrive. He could not have been more pleasant and efficient, and I’d say a great character too.

It was the holiday of a lifetime. Great fun, plenty of messing about. Yes, you need the sun and you need to be able to laugh and joke with your companion. We had both. I’m wondering, yet again, is the alternative lifestyle for me? Life on a canal barge?

Austrians give their vote to a nationalist party

In the not-to0-distant past in Ireland there was the general belief that our politics went back to the civil war and how Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael came into existence. Both parties stood for more less the same world view. Labour had some left wing policies but there was no great left wing divide.

Across Europe the major political parties  were clearly distinguishable. On the one side the socialist, communist parties and on the other side the conservative and liberal groupings.

In Ireland we felt we were missing out on a clearer political division.

Interesting what’s happening across Europe now. In Austria yesterday those divides fell apart and the populist far-right has surged becoming the biggest political grouping.

It’s similar in the former East Germany, the far-right AfD is surging. Left and right are being thrown aside in favour of populist nationalist parties. People are voting for extremes.

And the irony of that is that’s what has happened in Northern Ireland after the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Féin took most of the SDLP vote and the DUP moved in on the UUP. Voters moving to the populist nationalist parties.

What’s happening is extremely dangerous. The leader of the now largest political party in Austrian  speaks words that are a reminder of another Austrian, who always blamed the scapegoat for all the woes of Reich.

Is the killing of anyone ever a ‘measure of justice’?

How can US President Joe Biden say the death of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah 'is a measure of justice’? What does he say about the civilians who are killed every day and night? What does he say to the parents of little children who are killed and maimed for life?

In a civilised world everyone has a right to a fair trial

All this revenge killing is wrong.

This non-stop killing is creating generations of Arabs who will never forget these days. The children of today will most likely cause more mayhem and pain in 20, 30 years ahead.

Where is the United Nations? Where are world leaders?

––––––––––––––

Dominican priest Fergal O’Connor died on this day in 2005, 19 years ago, the feast of Saints Michael, Gabriel and Raphael, archangels.

Tempus fugit.

But God doesn’t think?

Dominican priest Tom McCarthy makes an interesting comment on yesterday’s blogpost, which was an article written by The Irish Times columnist Joe Humphreys.

What actually does it mean to say I believe in God? Scroll through religious comments on X, read many Catholic newspapers, are they representation of what it means to believe in God?

Read many parish newsletters and it’s easy to ask what is all this about. Visit parishes and see for oneself how parish councils work and the relationship between priests and people. Every parish will be different. What happens when a parish priest behaves in a dictatorial fashion? What happens when bishops and religious superiors act as tyrants? Where actually is the church, the people of God? Why all the taboo subjects? And then there’s God. It’s a great jump, most times.

Some days ago American Jesuit priest Fr James Martin replied on X to a comment made by former bishop of Tyler in Texas. This is what he wrote: 

"I don’t normally respond to @BishStrickland, but his recent inaccurate screed against the Jesuits ignores one key thing: When Servant of God Pedro Arrupe, SJ, had a stroke and St  John Paul II intervened by naming his own choice to run the Jesuits, until a successor could be named, Fr Arrupe was completely obedient, even though he disagreed with the Pope's decision.  Fr Arrupe then instructed every Jesuit to show obedience to the Holy Father. To make his point, Fr Arrupe sent this photo around to every Jesuit community in the world.  It hung in the entrance to my novitiate. Curious if Bishop Strickland feels the same about obedience to a Pope with whom he disagrees....”

The former bishop of Tyler posts regularly on X. I have no problem saying that what he writes on matters of God and faith have little or no meaning for me. 

Surely that does not suggest I don’t believe in God? X and other similar outlets at present seem to attract a ‘special type’ of Catholic that makes me ask, what must God think of this material. Then again, wouldn’t the theologian say that God doesn’t think?

There is an upsurge within the Christian churches at present that seems to say it’s our way or no way. 

Is the American Catholic Church having a negative influence on church life in Ireland?

Worrying.

'I am an atheist but I still enjoy going to Mass'

This appeared in The Irish Times on Monday. I was looking forward to the read and then having read it, was not sure what I had read. Is prayer not about talking with and to God?

What does it mean to say I believe in God? What does it mean to say I don’t believe in God? What can we say about God? Jesus? The Holy Spirit? The Father/Mother?

It is written by Joe Humphreys, who writes weekly thought-provoking pieces in the paper. 

---

There are few places where you can be in the company of strangers for a while without someone glancing at a smartphone. Fewer still where you can sit – or stand or kneel – together to reflect on life’s deepest questions.

This explains why I enjoy going to Mass occasionally – an embarrassing admission for an atheist. Strictly speaking, I’m there for two things: scripture and prayer. Neither requires a belief in God, although I’m sure practising Catholics will say it helps.

There is a long tradition of atheists engaging with the text of the Bible. In his latest book, Christian Atheism, Slovenian philosopher and self-proclaimed communist Slavoj Zizek argues: “To become a true dialectical materialist, one should go through the Christian experience.”

Christian teaching is a way of understanding moral ideals that underpin secular institutions and progressive causes. Or, as author and “lapsed Catholic” Sally Rooney put it in a recent Irish Times interview, Christianity “is a really beautiful, rich and worthwhile spiritual and intellectual tradition of thinking about ethics, about our relations with other people”.

The other reason to go to church – for prayer – is more to do with the spirit than society. Lighting candles for my late parents makes me feel closer to them, even if my internal monologue praising their names goes nowhere. Beyond a connection to our ancestors, prayer can allow us to vocalise – internally or otherwise – suppressed emotions or fears.

‘Depression and anxiety’

Several studies indicate a health benefit, with one 2009 psychiatry trial recording that participants who prayed for just six weeks “showed significant improvement of depression and anxiety” compared to a control group. A follow-up study found “subjects maintained significant improvements for a duration of at least one year after the final prayer session”.Other research is less conclusive, with a 2022 study finding “prayer efficacy” varies depending on prayer type. One form of devotional prayer – “asking God for forgiveness” – correlates with higher anxiety, while another form – “praising God” – is associated with lower anxiety, researchers found. “The psychological literature is clear on this subject. Prayer can reduce stress,” says Stephen J Costello, director of the Viktor Frankl Institute of Ireland.

“All the scientific studies point to greater resilience and meaning and happiness among those who have a religious sense and sensibility.” In Christianity, there are numerous different types of prayer. Perhaps the best known is “intercessory” or “petitionary” prayer, what Immanuel Kant called “wheedling with God”, says Costello. There is also “contemplative” prayer – which is more like a spiritual exercise independent of faith.

“[The French philosopher] Simone Weil says pure attention is prayer. As such, the act can be carried out by the atheist . . . Just sitting still and directing one’s attention outwards, as Iris Murdoch recommends, on to a leaf or pond or duck wherein the ego is emptied is crucial. Imagine, she says, a boy brooding and bored in his study. Suddenly a kestrel hovers outside. He turns to look. At that moment, all is kestrel. “This turning, which Plato mentions, is a turning from the world of becoming with all its comings and goings and changes to the world of pure being – silent stasis. In meditation, we get glimmers of such profound peace.”

Costello, a philosopher and “logotherapist” – or practitioner of Frankl’s branch of psychoanalysis – takes prayer to another level in a new book, Ignatian Mysticism. This explores how St Ignatius of Loyola formulated a set of reflective practices known as the Spiritual Exercises. Ignatius “commends a form of imaginative prayer. So, through the ‘application of the senses’ and the ‘composition of place’, the person places himself into the Gospel scenes and imagines what the people present are saying or doing,” Costello explains.

“It’s a way of deploying the imagination in prayer to make the Gospels come alive and become vivid. There are many existential exercises throughout but they culminate in the Contemplatio – ‘the Contemplation to Attain Love’ – where the retreatant, who usually spends a month away doing the ‘four weeks’ of the exercises, is asked to consider how the divine dwells in all things giving them life.”

If that sounds like a big commitment, Costello says: “Ignatius also suggests a method whereby we use the breath and repeat one word like a mantra. This connects us to the practice of the Desert Fathers [a group of early Christian hermits].”

Secularising prayer could be taken too far. Manifesting – a Californian trend of “thinking your aspirations into reality” – has become a licence for more consumerism. If prayer means anything, with or without God, then surely it’s about focusing on what really matters, deep in the human core.

“Prayer leads inexorably to loving service,” Costello adds.

“Gratitude is an attitude. It is also a practice, one enjoined by the Stoics and Ignatius too. I would encourage everybody to meditate, to just sit still and ‘do nothing’, which is a way of doing everything. This action by non-action is transformative. It is also useless. That’s why it’s so important.”