Shirley du Boulay was for twelve years a television producer in the
religious department of the BBC. She resigned in 1978 and has since
written several books, including one on pilgrimage and biographies
of Desmond Tutu, Dame Cicely Saunders, St Teresa of Avila, Bede
Griffiths and Abhishiktananda.
She was married to the late John Harriott until his death in 1990
and she lives in Oxford.
'In this intriguing book, Shirley du Boulay's life-long spiritual
search is described with her ever-fresh honesty and concludes with
a rare expression of deep content. As the best religious biographer
of her generation she has now shared herself in an inspiring
spritual autobiography. By being set in the context of the
transformation of religious consciousness over the past fifty years
it is also a richly informative story. Through her eyes and
self-awareness, her consistency and her own changes of direction,
we see better what we are all passing through today. It is a
valuable and fascinating perspective on the modern meaning of
religion born of one woman's interior journey and the struggle of a
whole culture to rediscover depth and meaning.'
*Director of the World Community for Christian Meditation*
'A Silent Melody' has a lot to say both to people who are religious
and to people who are not. The strength of the book lies in the
personal nature of its account of one woman's religious history at
the end of the second millennium. Shirley du Boulay is clear about
her doubts, her confusions, her changing allegiances, and her
constant attempts to remain honest and open to all kinds of
experience, and she writes with a light and certain touch that is a
pleasure to read. Whatever we think about religion, the book's real
value, I think, is in its unconscious revelation of a personality
that embodies that most important quality of all, goodness.'
*author, His Dark Materials Trilogy*
‘A search for God in all things – this is a searingly honest
personal account of a lifetime’s journey. Responding to the
spiritual upheaval of the times, Shirley du Boulay tastes and tests
its manifestations in East and West. Beware of this book – it will
challenge you to open up.’
*John Wilkins*
‘A Silent Melody takes you, the reader, on a journey along with it
author. Through Christianity of almost all shades, to Buddhism,
Hinduism, and quite a lot besides, there is a constant searching,
coupled with a searing honesty, that is refreshing and appealing.
Shirley du Boulay has found contentment of a kind in stillness,
even being alone. It shines through, and she has lessons for us
all, from the deeply irreligious to those of strong faith. But none
of us will feel the same about our spiritual journeys as we did
before reading this book.’
*Baroness Julia Neuberger, DBE*
‘Shirley du Boulay recounts her lifetime of love for Christianity
as a member of both the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches. But
then tells us how Hinduism, Shamanism, Buddhism, Zen and wisdom
from many other traditions weaved their way into her heart and
soul, enriching her religious and spiritual life more than she had
thought possible. I would make this beautiful and humble book
compulsory reading for every member of the Christian clergy and
recommended reading for everyone who has not only a cross in their
home, but also a Buddha and an OM sign and maybe even a Zen
meditation cushion. I smiled all the way through, and made notes,
and learnt a lot.
‘Please make Shirley an advisor to Pope Francis. Hers is a voice
that needs to be heard.’
*Isobel Losada*
‘Shirley Du Boulay is one of the most lucid and distinguished
spiritual writers of our time. Her new book A Silent Melody is her
most personal yet. And deserves to be read by seekers on all paths
for its honesty, depth, of inner experience, and grace.’
*Andrew Harvey*
‘A Silent Melody is a book of great wisdom. Drawing on her
experience as biographer and broadcaster as well as her first-hand
experience of many of the spiritual movements of the last 50 years,
Shirley du Boulay's book is unsparing in its honesty and vividly
conveys a passionate quest for God amidst the ambiguities of
organised religion.’
*Revd Donald Reeves*
‘Beautifully written, always insightful, and often deeply moving,
Shirley du Boulay's “spiritual autobiography” mixes personal
reminiscence with a fascinating account of the biographer's craft.
Her own story is summed up in the musical metaphor contained in the
title. It speaks eloquently of her experience of the God sounded
deep in the heart of creation. There is, however, another dimension
to this story. For she is at her best as an accompanist, playing
her own themes of pilgrimage, meditation, art and writing, as a
sort of counterpoint to some of the most important spiritual
movements of the last half-century. A personal story certainly, but
also a rich and satisfying account of contemporary spiritual
wisdom.’
*Professor of Interreligious Relations*
‘Shirley du Boulay writes with a blazing intensity from the depths
of her own spiritual journey. It is one of the most courageous
books I have read in a long while, rich in wisdom and insight.’
*James Roose-Evans*
‘I found the author’s account of her search for the Divine
riveting, and I believe many readers will share her dual love of
the spiritualities of both East and West.’
*Sheila Cassidy*
‘The author of several highly acclaimed spiritual biographies
invites us here to follow her own spiritual journey from the
yearnings of childhood through a life of creative work and rich
encounters to the personal loss and wisdom of maturing years. A
journey full of surprises and discoveries, from the spiritual
dimensions of the 1960s’ counterculture to Indian religions,
mysticism, the interfaith movement, the attraction of Zen, the
power of silence, solitude and stillness, and the many names of
God. A deeply personal account that resonates with fascinating
murmurings of Spirit. It discloses the rich tapestry of
contemporary spiritualities and conveys a courageous spiritual
quest. An absorbing read, an inspiring book full of insight and
wisdom.’
*Professor Emerita of Theology and Religious Studies, University of
Bristol*
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