Tag Archives: Contemplation
Contemplative Consciousness
Action and Contemplation: Part 3 Contemplative Consciousness Sunday, January 19, 2020 I’ve heard some concerns over the years that contemplation is a practice of “Eastern” meditation wrapped in a Christian disguise. Some Christians have even been taught that seeking union with God through silence makes room for the “devil” to get in. While understandable, these apprehensions are based on a… Continue Reading Contemplative Consciousness
Action and Contemplation: Part Two: Weekly Summary
Action and Contemplation: Part Two Summary: Sunday, January 12—Friday, January 17, 2020 In order to become truly prophetic people who go beyond the categories of liberal and conservative, we have to teach and learn ways to integrate needed engagement with a truly contemplative mind and heart. (Sunday) The job of religion is to help people… Continue Reading Action and Contemplation: Part Two: Weekly Summary
Love at the Center
Action and Contemplation: Part Two Love at the Center Friday, January 17, 2020 When we named the Center for Action and Contemplation, I hoped our rather long name would itself keep us honest and force us toward balance and ongoing integration beyond the first generation. However, over the last thirty-five years, I have witnessed how… Continue Reading Love at the Center
A Quiet Refusal
Action and Contemplation: Part One A Quiet Refusal Thursday, January 16, 2020 Because Jesus did not directly attack the religious and institutional systems of his time until his final action against the money changers in the temple [1], his primary social justice critique and action are a disappointment to most radicals and social activists. Jesus’… Continue Reading A Quiet Refusal
Radical Solidarity
Action and Contemplation: Part Two Radical Solidarity Wednesday, January 15, 2020 A contemplative lens is the only frame through which we can recognize and address the three sources of evil: the world, the flesh, and the devil. When we remain in egoic consciousness, evil (especially in its first hidden forms that look so much like… Continue Reading Radical Solidarity
Bigger Than Personal Moral Failure
Action and Contemplation: Part Two Bigger Than Personal Moral Failure Tuesday, January 14, 2020 Contemplation helps us discern what is truly important in the largest, most spacious frame of reality and to know what is ours to do in the face of “evil” and injustice. As a confessor, I know for a fact that many… Continue Reading Bigger Than Personal Moral Failure
Dancing Polarities
Action and Contemplation: Part Two Dancing Polarities Monday, January 13, 2020 The words action and contemplation aptly describe the two dancing polarities of our lives. In classic Christian philosophy, Thomas Aquinas and many others stated that the highest form of spiritual maturity is not action or contemplation, but the ability to integrate the two into one life stance—to be service-oriented… Continue Reading Dancing Polarities
Ours to Do
Action and Contemplation: Part Two Ours to Do Sunday, January 12, 2020 I founded the Center for Action and Contemplation more than thirty years ago because I saw a deep need for the integration of both action and contemplation. Over the years, I met many activists who were doing excellent social analysis and advocating for… Continue Reading Ours to Do
Action and Contemplation: Part One: Weekly Summary
Action and Contemplation: Part One Summary: Sunday, January 5—Friday, January 11, 2020 We need both compassionate action and contemplative practice for the spiritual journey. (Sunday) In contemplative practice, the Holy Spirit frees us from taking sides and allows us to remain content in the partial darkness of every situation long enough to let it teach, broaden, and enrich us.… Continue Reading Action and Contemplation: Part One: Weekly Summary
Naturally Indwelling
Action and Contemplation: Part One Naturally Indwelling Friday, January 10, 2020 Those who have gone to their own depths through contemplation uncover an indwelling Presence. Austrian philosopher Martin Buber (1878–1965) called this intimacy an “I-thou” relationship. It is a deep and loving “yes” to God and to life that is inherent within each of us.… Continue Reading Naturally Indwelling
