Books

I started writing after I return to New Zealand from spending four years living and studying in a Franciscan Community in the USA. After I had adjusted to being back in my home country again, I was appointed to be the Anglican vicar of a small town sheltered under the foothills of the Southern Alps. Local Maori called the area 'Tawera', roughly meaning, 'the land that lay beyond the swamp, and upon which one could begin to climb the hills above, over which the Morning star could often be seen rising'. For me, it became such a place. A place to rise from, where I began to consolidate the learning I had received and use it in my preaching and teaching. A place where I could continue icon writing, a skill I had learnt while at the Franciscan Community. A place where I could also explore new ways of creating space so others might engage in the stillness, and with the presence that fills the stillness: to teach classes on Christian meditation, to lead retreats and quiet days, and to lead a meditation group. Over the past 20 years, I have written and published a number of books on Christian meditation, and these are now available, free of charge, in pdf format and suitable to be read on a tablet, by contacting me at taweapress@gmail.com.

Encountering the Still Point - A Practical Introduction to Christian Meditation. 

Encountering the Still Point is a down to earth book full of practical suggestions on a wide range of topics, such as:

how to meditate
how to keep a journal
how to understand your dreams
how to build and use a labyrinth
how to tap your inner source of wisdom
how to turn gardening into a source of healing, and how to use incense, mandalas, music, mantras, icons and sacred circle dancing and more…

Also included, is a legacy of wisdom and encouragement, from saints and teachers, in a way that will appeal to those seeking a meaningful spirituality, whether inside or outside the traditional church. 

                                                                            152 Pages. First Published, 2000. Tawera Press.

Review: Phil is widely read and brings to this book this fruit of his own personal search as well as evaluating and synthesising various traditions of prayer and meditation. His book appeals to different people. For some he offers a detailed schematic outline that can be worked though. It is a contradiction in terms to talk of a “do it yourself” meditation book when meditation, as Phil points out, is very relational. However this book is the closest I have seen to a “do it yourself” meditation book. For others, who are more eclectic, it can be browsed and tasted. Scattered throughout the book are wonderful quotes that challenge as well as inspire. Phil has also included prints of some icons he painted. This art also lifts our minds and hearts and helps us grasp what Phil is writing about. In our busy lives this book is a reminder of our call to God and cannot be read without soul searching. I am enthusiastic about recommending it to anyone who is searching for God.         Warden of St. Margaret’s College, University of Otago.N.Z.

The Four Paths - A Pilgrims Guide to the Universe

Why am I here? Where have I come from? How can I find meaning and fulfilment?

These are some of the questions that led John to risk joining an alternative land-based community somewhere in rural New Zealand. There he discovers the four paths provide him with a new way to understanding himself and his future; while learning to meditate allows him access to a power that revolutionises what he does. In the process he finds out a lot about himself and those around him, some of which he would have preferred not to know. This philosophic novel can change the way you live.

168 pages. First published, 2002, Tawera Press.

    Echoes of Wisdom - Reflections Based on the Psalms of David

The Psalms contain universal wisdom and themes. Themes such as the wonder of creation, the search for meaning and purpose, the virtues of wisdom and compassion, the appreciation of love and beauty, and the struggle to find a meaningful faith amid the experiences of doubt and fear. These themes use rich imagery, often drawn from nature: the shepherd and sheep, hills and sky, fire and water, birds and animals. It is because these themes and images are universal, the Psalms still retain their capacity to communicate across more than two and a half thousand years. Woven around these metaphors, there is a conviction that the mystery we call 'God' is found within the substance of lived experience: in the beauty of nature and in the silence of the human heart, in moments of joy and  onder and in the experience of suffering and doubt. Such themes are expressed through rich imagery, often drawn from nature. Echoes of Wisdom highlights these universal concerns and experience of faith with 93 reflections grouped into five sections: lament, instruction, reflection, prayer and praise.

                                         139 Pages. First published, 2004, Tawera Press.

Review: It is a privilege and a joy to commend "Echoes of Wisdom" for wides-   spread use, meditation and reflection. Various versions and representations of the Psalms of David in the Bible have been offered over the years, but in "Echoes of Wisdom" we are invited to enter into a very creative and sensitive midrash of each of the Psalm songs which is quite unique. The uniqueness of this offering comes from the fact that the prayer prose is the fruit of a very intelligent, well ordered, creative and imaginative communion with each Psalm, rather than a strict interpretation or a liberal translation of them. We enter into the essence of the Psalm as it is experienced and transfigured in Phil Dyer's soul. Because Phil is a contemporary 21st century priest, he is able to offer to 21st century pilgrims the heart of an ancient tradition which yet sings to us and through us in a new way. This book is an offering of incalculable worth in today's confetti culture. In "Echoes of Wisdom" we are given a spirituality of depth with freshness, roots with wings. On the trackless journeys we are now called to make in the world today, this is a welcome and refreshing wellspring.  The Rt Rev. David J. Moxon, (Former) Bishop of Waikato. NZ.

Awakening the Spirit – Poems of Divine Love

'True knowledge is the knowledge of God. The highest wisdom is that holy wisdom whereby the soul is made one with God.'

Awakening the Spirit offers a guide and an encouragement to discover and foster an inner wisdom and knowledge of God by drawing on the teachings of Jesus, and the writings of many people who have discovered this inner Awakening of the Spirit. The purpose and hope of this book is that the poems and quotations may encourage you to deepen your love of One who is Love. It is a book to dip into, then to put on one side while you pause to reflect and pray over what you have read. Or perhaps to sit quietly with your breathing and be open to the feelings of your heart; to listen to your own inner voice and receive any insights or experiences that may come to you. Other suggestions are offered at the end of this book, in the section 'Awakening Prayer'. A book of poems, prayers, sayings and reflections.       

103 pages. First published, 2012, Tawera Press.

Review: With this simple, beautiful and profound book, Phil Dyer has provided a resource. The poems and paraphrases grow out of a deeply wrought and utterly consistent Christian theology, and make accessible some of the riches of our millennia-old mystical tradition. While retaining the integrity of the old teachers and of the scripture, Phil has reworked some of the ancient passages in fresh ways, opening the meanings that have always been there to a twenty-first century audience. The freshness of expression will also appeal to those outside the Christian tradition. At whatever level it is approached this book will prove to be a generous gift by Phil Dyer to the spiritual lives of many people.                                                                                                                                                                               The Rt Rev Dr Kelvin Wright (Former) Bishop of Dunedin, N.Z.

Pathways to the Fountain - A Christian-Buddhist Exploration

Jesus and Buddha are two well known religious leaders. In Pathways to the Fountain we will discover that Jesus and Gautama were much closer to each other than many might think. Both were on a quest, and in the end they became that quest, inviting us to recognise our deepest hopes and longings, and offering us wisdom that will help us find true freedom and peace. The author, Phil Dyer, draws from his study, training and personal engagement with both faith traditions, to explore some of the similarities and differences between these two radical prophets of change, who challenged the accepted religious traditions of their day, and forged a new ethic, teaching and practice.   

                                                           173 pages. First published, 2017, Tawera Press.

Review: As I reflected back on the experience of reading your book which contained the sacred gift of personal story, and opened wide spiritual vistas, there was the profound joy found in the realisation that the Spirit of Life is one that connects all beings. We don’t need to claim anything or any position, we just need to connect with one another in the great silent truth. Thank you for writing this book and for the invitation to read it. I was privileged.

                                                      Karen Morrison-Hume, Missioner, Anglican Action, Hamilton. NZ.

Be Still & Know - A 14 Day Retreat Programme with the Christian Mystics

Mysticism is the direct intuition or experience of God; and a mystic is a person who has such a direct experience and first-hand personal knowledge - Evelyn Underhill

Christianity has a long and rich mystical tradition. It reaches back to the story of Creation when God created humankind with the ability to see and talk with God face to face, as did many of the Patriarchs and Prophets. In the New Testament, many people saw and were transformed by the risen Christ, as St. Paul was on the road to Damascus. We too can learn to perceive through the inner sense of our spirit the wonders of God's presence amongst us (1 Corinthians 2:6-18), and allow the compassionate presence of Christ flow through us to others.This book weaves together a wealth of wisdom and experience found in our Sacred Scriptures and in the lives and writings of many Christians through the ages.Each chapter is introduced with a modern parable,a Scriptural passage selected from the author's earlier book,'Awakening the Spirit', followed by a reflection and ends with questions and suggestions to help guide and support the reader on their spiritual journey to be the presence of Christ in our world today.

                                                                                                      175 pages. First published 2020, Tawera Press.