An Interview with Lerita Coleman Brown on Howard Thurman’s Legacy 

Have you considered how Howard Thurman’s advocacy and theological work impacts today’s modern Christian contemplative movement?  

In this conversation, Lerita Coleman Brown sits down with Center for Action and Contemplation’s Digital and Print Publications Manager, Mark Longhurst. Brown illuminates Howard Thurman’s lasting spiritual and societal impact, pulling themes from her book “What Makes You Come Alive: A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman.” You may recognize Brown’s name; we feature her words often in our Daily Meditations! 

“[As a child], Howard Thurman started meditating — or what he later found was meditation — with his back against an oak tree in his yard,” explains Brown in this video.  

“He realized that it was so important to find some time in every day to quiet your mind and to connect with God. And, he felt that it was just so important for our spiritual development and for our gaining the awareness of our connections to all of creation.”  

In this 20-minute interview, Lerita Coleman Brown discusses Howard Thurman’s legacy and how his legacy calls us into radical resilience. We invite you to watch this dynamic conversation and discover how to quiet your mind, connecting with God. 

Throughout the year we will feature special guest author interviews as we build on our 2024 Daily Meditations theme — Radical Resilience. Explore contemplation as a way to build Radical Resilience so we can stand in solidarity with the world without burning up or burning out. The path ahead may be challenging, but we can walk it together. Learn more about this year’s theme.