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Tag Archives: Cynthia Bourgeault

A Metaphysics of Hope

For as the heavens reach beyond earth and time, we swim in mercy as in an endless sea. —Psalm 103:11 Cynthia Bourgeault explores the idea that mystical hope is something that arises from within us, not as a result of our own effort, but as a fruit of our ability to consciously abide in what… Continue Reading A Metaphysics of Hope

Simple Trust in God’s Presence

Living Inside God’s Great Story Simple Trust in God’s Presence Friday, September 3, 2021 Living School emeritus teacher Cynthia Bourgeault shares how her early exposure to a simple form of quiet prayer impacted her spiritual journey. “Prayer is talking to God”: with these words nearly all of us receive our first religious instruction. Certainly I… Continue Reading Simple Trust in God’s Presence

Good and Bad Power: Weekly Summary

Good and Bad Power Saturday, August 14, 2021 Week Thirty-Two Summary and Practice Sunday, August 8—Friday, August 13, 2021 Sunday Once we come into contact with the Holy Spirit, our Inner Source, we become living icons of true, humble, and confident power. Monday When we haven’t experienced or don’t trust our God-given “power within,” we… Continue Reading Good and Bad Power: Weekly Summary

Finding Presence

Doorways to Christian Contemplation Finding Presence Tuesday, July 13, 2021 Chanting is one of the most traditional methods of contemplation. While some traditions repeat a single word or sound, Benedictine and Gregorian chant within the Christian tradition draw their inspiration from the Psalms. Cynthia Bourgeault describes how chant works as a contemplative method. She is… Continue Reading Finding Presence

The Wisdom of the Passion

Scapegoating and the Cross The Wisdom of the Passion Thursday, April 1, 2021 Holy Thursday CAC teacher Cynthia Bourgeault invites us to consider the meaning of the passion from a wisdom perspective, not as a spectator watching what Jesus did, but understanding what each of us is called to do: The passion is really the… Continue Reading The Wisdom of the Passion

The Benedictine Wisdom of “Ora et Labora”

Wisdom The Benedictine Wisdom of “Ora et Labora” Tuesday, February 23, 2021 If Jesus was a wisdom master who sought to transform the consciousness of his disciples through a way of life, the desert communities that sprung up in the fourth century may have been an attempt to carry on that traditional way of teaching.… Continue Reading The Benedictine Wisdom of “Ora et Labora”

Unveiling Christianity

A Time of Unveiling Unveiling Christianity Tuesday, January 5, 2021 Another way to look at “unveiling” is as a sort of “recognition event,” where something we thought we knew reveals itself to be radically different than our long-held assumptions. Our friend and CAC teacher Reverend Cynthia Bourgeault explores how this is a gospel phenomenon, one that takes… Continue Reading Unveiling Christianity

Giving Away Every Gift

Self-Emptying Giving Away Every Gift Monday, December 14, 2020 A focus on self-emptying or “letting go” might seem like a call to self-denial or “making do with less,” but as Cynthia Bourgeault points out in her description of Jesus’ teaching, it can also lead to radical generosity and abundance. When we cling to less—of our… Continue Reading Giving Away Every Gift

The Kingdom as Consciousness

Jesus and the Reign of God The Kingdom as Consciousness Wednesday, November 18, 2020 In his letter to the Philippians, Paul offers a puzzling injunction to the new Christians. He writes, “Let the same mind be in you that was in Jesus Christ” (2:5). CAC faculty member Cynthia Bourgeault explores how developing this kind of… Continue Reading The Kingdom as Consciousness

Thomas Keating: The Secret Embrace, Part Two: Weekly Summary

Thomas Keating: The Secret Embrace, Part Two Summary: Sunday, October 25—Friday, October 30, 2020 To begin this second week exploring Thomas Keating’s final poems, I offer a basic overview of the stages of spiritual development that Thomas so authentically modeled in his life and teaching. (Sunday) All emotional drama has dropped out, since there is… Continue Reading Thomas Keating: The Secret Embrace, Part Two: Weekly Summary

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