Tag Archives: desert contemplatives

Practical Prayer

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on September 7, 2018

Early Christianity Practical Prayer Friday, September 7, 2018 In the same way as the early church, the desert Christians were deeply committed to Jesus’ teachings and lived practice. Withdrawal to the wilderness—whether into close-knit communities or solitude—was only for the sake of deeper encounter and presence. Diana Butler Bass describes the natural flow from prayer… Continue Reading Practical Prayer

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged Belden Lane, Christianity, church history, contemplative action, Diana Butler Bass, Love, prayer, Presence, wholeness

Seeking Spiritual Freedom

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on September 6, 2018

Early Christianity Seeking Spiritual Freedom Thursday, September 6, 2018 A brother was restless in the community and often moved to anger. So he said: “I will go, and live somewhere by myself. And since I shall be able to talk or listen to no one, I shall be tranquil, and my passionate anger will cease.”… Continue Reading Seeking Spiritual Freedom

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged Christianity, church history, Community, Contemplation, freedom, Thomas Merton

Christianity in the Desert

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on September 5, 2018

Early Christianity Christianity in the Desert Wednesday, September 5, 2018 For too long, little or no honor has been paid to those who have laid the foundations in Africa for the preservation of Christianity throughout the world. . . . [T]he roots and headwaters for this monastic flourishing had their source in African soil. Unfortunately,… Continue Reading Christianity in the Desert

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged Africa, attention, Barbara Holmes, Christianity, church history, Community, Laura Swan, margins, Paisius Altschul, Presence, women

A Rhythm of Retreat and Return

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on September 4, 2018

Early Christianity A Rhythm of Retreat and Return Tuesday, September 4, 2018 As Christianity rose to a position of power, rational thinking and individuals’ needs took priority over embodied, nondual consciousness and relationships. One of our CONSPIRE 2018 teachers, Barbara Holmes, recalls the early church’s commitment to contemplation and community and how, even when mainstream… Continue Reading A Rhythm of Retreat and Return

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged Africa, Barbara Holmes, Christianity, church history, Community, Jesus, Presence, relationship