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Center for Action and Contemplation

A Parenting Approach

November 22nd, 2024
The irony for me is that despite years of sincere seeking and a commitment to CAC teachings, grace was forced on me by my strong-willed, verbally advanced child. She broke me in early, triumphantly proclaiming, “Mommy, I will always win against you because I have more energy to fight until the end!” She was

From Duality to Acceptance Through Contemplation

November 22nd, 2024
“We do not think ourselves into new ways of living; we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.”—Richard Rohr   Quotes from philosophers, psychologists, and contemplatives hold such beautiful truths that have helped me through a journey of trying to make sense of myself. Studying the concept of

Graced Metamorphosis

November 22nd, 2024
Growing up in a Southern Baptist family on the Texas Gulf Coast, I was taught to be kind, helpful, and always willing to lend a hand. My family insisted that our religion stressed obedience, good manners, and putting others first. While I loved my family and wanted to please God, I sometimes felt like I had to do

Thinking It Through

November 22nd, 2024
NIt seems to me that “Graced Metamorphosis” is a significant request from the challenges in life. Life is abundant in its evolutions and transitions, from birth to death. These organic changes may be graced, but there are also times when we feel stuck in transitions, and the transformative power of unalterable

The Graced Metamorphosis of CAC and This Expanding Community of Support 

November 22nd, 2024
Nearly five years ago, in January 2020, Fr. Richard Rohr wrote the following in anticipation of transitioning from his day-to-day leadership role with the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC). As I happily enter my final years, the CAC continues to grow. We realize it is our responsibility to offer something

From Martyrdom to Mutuality 

August 30th, 2024
As an Asian-American woman raised in the evangelical Christian tradition, I have been culturally and religiously conditioned to be a martyr. I received praise when I sacrificed my time, energy, and wellbeing for the people around me.  My bend toward martyrdom was reinforced (I thought) by the teachings of Jesus. A

Mutual Mentoring 

August 30th, 2024
Over the past few months, I’ve enjoyed tuning in to the CAC’s Everything Belongs podcast, not only for the brilliant guests, but especially to eavesdrop on Fr. Richard’s conversations with co-hosts Paul Swanson and Mike Petrow as they learn from one another. I feel like a fly on the wall, listening to these

The Unexpected Mission of Jesus 

August 30th, 2024
Weather Report Severe storm warning. Resist the temptation to shelter inside. Go out into it, and bring calm steadiness. It will change the storm. —Steve Garnaas-Holmes While in prison, John the Baptist grew concerned about the actions (or nonactions) of Jesus. Apparently, Jesus was not behaving like

Death, My Mentor 

August 30th, 2024
Death is my mentor, guide, and companion. Sudden death. Wrongful death. Accidental death. Threatening death. These are the spiritual mentors which have guided my life, my relations, my quiet moments, and my committed actions.  Some people believe I have had more sudden death in my life than most. There is no way

Poetry for When the World Burns 

August 29th, 2024
Poetry saved my life. I’ve heard many poets, including myself, utter some version of this sentiment over the years. Usually, this response is given after an interviewer asks a question like, “What is saving your life right now?” or “What is sustaining you these days?” The fact that questions such as these

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