Silence
Protected by a Tree – path from Minster Yard to the Bishop's
Palace
Find
the tunnel through the high stone wall along the escarpment side of
the cathedral. After passing through, you come upon the silence held
by the large Chestnut tree at the elbow of the path leading to the
12th century Bishop's Palace. Here you have choices – to your
immediate left is a grass path, which goes nowhere, at the base of
the wall and partway along are two wooden seats to sit on, or you can
walk the zig-zag paths down under the tree.
This
calm space is like resting with a great sandstone cliff looming at
your back while contemplating the far horizon before you, the silence
of seclusion. Do you hear the Peregrine Falcons soaring overhead from
their nest on the cathedral tower? Roman grapes ripened in vineyards
on the cliff-side below you (and a small vineyard has recently been
planted in the palace ruins). Are there chipper sounds of small
birds, scent of roses, warmth from the captured sun? Drop into
listening, have sounds arrive to your 'hearing' sense – these are
your present moments.
While
some things may be silent, all things have the power of expression.
The tree stands big-heartedly protecting the silence and holding you
in restful quiet.