Tag Archives: Contemplation
Knowing Our Source
Contemplation: Week 1 Knowing Our Source Monday, December 10, 2018 Thomas Merton Day Within Christianity, contemplation was not systematically taught for the last 400 or 500 years. Thankfully, Trappist monk Thomas Merton (1915–1968)—who died fifty years ago today—helped reintroduce contemplation to Western Christianity. Here’s just a taste of what Merton had to say about contemplation:… Continue Reading Knowing Our Source
Open Heart, Mind, and Body
Contemplation: Week 1 Open Heart, Mind, and Body Sunday, December 9, 2018 We may think of prayer as thoughts or feelings expressed in words. But this is only one expression. . . . Prayer is the opening of mind and heart—our whole being—to God, the Ultimate Mystery, beyond thoughts, words, and emotions. Through grace we… Continue Reading Open Heart, Mind, and Body
Joy and Hope: Weekly Summary
Joy and Hope Summary: Sunday, November 25-Friday, November 30, 2018 The Gospel is primarily communicated by highly symbolic human lives that operate as “Prime Attractors”: through actions visibly done in love; by a nonviolent, humble, and liberated lifestyle; and through identification with the edged out and the excluded of the world. The very presence of… Continue Reading Joy and Hope: Weekly Summary
Joy in Contemplation
Joy and Hope Joy in Contemplation Wednesday, November 28, 2018 Joy proceeds from the inner realization of union with God, which descends upon us at ever deeper levels as we walk our faith journey. This deepening is the goal of Christian contemplation and is the heart of perennial wisdom from every faith. This is how… Continue Reading Joy in Contemplation
The End of Knowing
Unknowing: Week 2 The End of Knowing Friday, October 12, 2018 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in… Continue Reading The End of Knowing
The Power of Love
Unknowing: Week 2 The Power of Love Thursday, October 11, 2018 The anonymous, 14th century author of The Cloud of Unknowing conveys the fathomless mystery of God and that God can only be known by loving presence—contemplation. The Cloud of Unknowing was the inspiration for practices such as centering prayer and Christian meditation. Today and… Continue Reading The Power of Love
Dying by Brightness
Unknowing: Week 2 Dying by Brightness Sunday, October 7, 2018 I die by brightness and the Holy Spirit. —Thomas Merton (1915-1968) [1] For most of us, growth is a long process of being drawn “by brightness and the Holy Spirit,” as Merton says. I interpret this brightness as being overwhelmed and undone by Immense Mystery… Continue Reading Dying by Brightness
Prayer Beyond Words
Unknowing: Week 1 Prayer Beyond Words Friday, October 5, 2018 The two paths of knowing and not-knowing are primarily taught through prayer itself! No wonder all spiritual teachers emphasize prayer so much. In Jesus’ teaching and example, we may first notice the prayer of words in the Our Father and his encouragement to “ask” and… Continue Reading Prayer Beyond Words
