by Steve Tanham
<See index below for other parts of this story> ———————————————————–< to be continued- Ben’s Bit is a continuing first-person narrative of the character created by Stuart France and Sue Vincent, which may bear some relation to the author of this story, Steve Tanham, their fellow director of the Silent Eye School of Consciousness. In the latest of their books, Scions of Albion, Ben is … Read More Ben’s Bit, part nine – Bakewell Newsheet
by Steve Tanham
Somewhat disappointed in myself for last week’s late arrival, I am here early, to give me time to chat to Rose. That darling lady, who runs the tea room, has watched and supported our craziness for some time. Craziness? I don’t really think so … though, when I get off that train in London each Monday, and stiffen back into my world – what I … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee, part 29 – The Killing of Teachers
by Steve Tanham
I was late into the coffee shop that Monday morning. My black briefcase was stuffed with information about the Greek myths that I’d printed from the internet. There was a lot on the net about the Labours of Hercules – or Heracles, to give him what I assumed to be his rightful name. He was sitting at our usual table; two lattés in front … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee, part 28 – A Shifting Perspective
by Steve Tanham
The first test would be to see whether Alexandra would be there, at all; the second would be whether she would launch a stream of invective at me, slapping down her written ‘resignation’ and thumping it for final punctuation in very British style. My first latte was half cold by the time I drank it. No show … I felt sad. I collected my … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with coffee, part 27 – Parts of the Whole
by Steve Tanham
The air is blazing on the Greek island. There is a faint breeze blowing off the shore, but it does little to cool the afternoon. Sitting comfortably in my beach chair, I wiggle my toes in the sand, digging them deeper and feeling the hot, dry grains give way to the wetter and more compact sublayer of the beach. The tidal shelf extends all … Read More Ben’s Bit, part six – Far Away Places
by Steve Tanham
Tree full with leaves etched deeper into cloud With blue beyond that thinly veils like shroud The living globe which hangs in blackest space Lit golden eyed by central Sun with fiery face Cast in the pearls of milky spiral joy That smiling at the dance so far below Bends time and space to kiss the sacred flow Of leaf that masks the eye … Read More The Scale of Life
by Steve Tanham
Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee, part 26 – Outside the circle There was a chill wind as I took up my appointed place outside the doorway of our Monday morning cafe. The Summer had been a poor one for the North of England. Now, it looked as though the Autumn was about to arrive prematurely. I pulled my too-thin rain mac around my collar … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee, part 26 – Outside the Circle
+ Consciousness, enneagram, esoteric psychology, Metanoia, Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee, Silent Eye School, spiritual turning around, Spirituality
by Steve Tanham
I knew it was Alexandra. I could feel her strong presence as she entered the cafe for our Monday morning chat. Even though I could not see it, I could tell, exactly, the moment that she stood still to take in the scene, unmoving by the doorway, gazing across the busy tables, her vision locking on to the spectacle . . . I had worn the best … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee, part 25 – The Turning Point
by Steve Tanham
The night time is the worst. Within a world which contains so little, I find myself clinging to what is there; growing more present to the slightest changes in my meagre environment. When the daylight starts to fade in the evening, which happens earlier and earlier under the gathering cloak of Autumn, I can actually feel the waves of darkness changing the atmosphere in … Read More Ben’s Bit, part four – Into the Dark Waters
+ Consciousness, enneagram, esoteric psychology, Lust, Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee, Silent Eye School, Spirituality
by Steve Tanham
I sat, nervously sipping my coffee, wondering where Alexandra was. It was 08:45 and she should have arrived at least fifteen minutes ago. I was on edge for two reasons: firstly, I was worried that a woman who was never late should be so, now; secondly, an honest description of that part of our mental and emotional make-up that was the enneatype eight was … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee, part 24 – Hot Blood and Innocence!
by Steve Tanham
After exercise in the tree-lined yard of the old gaol, I am returned to my cell, clutching a fallen twig of oak. Yellow eyes doesn’t seem to mind this simple addition to the contents of my room, and lets me keep it. “They will fade and crumble soon,” he mutters, as though the judgment carries enough negative weight against the idea of keeping them. “You can … Read More Ben’s Bit, part three – The Oak Leaves
by Steve Tanham
We met at our usual coffee shop on the seafront–it having become anything but usual over the past few weeks; when our short, Monday adventures had taken us out in the landscapes around the bay. “Ah, normality! – So, at least I’ll get to London on time,” said Alexandra, sitting down at the table and looking glad to be enjoying a less hectic Monday morning. “My … Read More Nine Deadly Sins with Coffee, part 23 – Too much of everything!
Sun in Gemini 
You must be logged in to post a comment.