Tag Archives: Experience
Coexistence: Beliefs and Experience
Ways of Knowing Coexistence: Beliefs and Experience Monday, October 14, 2019 We cannot know God only by thinking thoughts. Unfortunately, for much of Christianity, faith largely became believing statements to be true or false (intellectual assent) instead of giving people concrete practices so they could themselves know how to open up (faith), hold on (hope),… Continue Reading Coexistence: Beliefs and Experience
A Big Experiment
The Perennial Tradition A Big Experiment Friday, August 16, 2019 Rami Shapiro, a rabbi, teacher, and author on Judaism and spirituality reflects on the enriching, powerful experience of interspiritual dialogue initiated by Fr. Thomas Keating (1923–2018). In 1984 Father Thomas Keating invited a small group of contemplatives from eight different religious traditions—Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Islamic,… Continue Reading A Big Experiment
Beholding
The Perennial Tradition Beholding Tuesday, August 13, 2019 My friend and Christian philosopher James Danaher writes about unfiltered divine encounter as a core element in the Perennial Tradition. There is a perennial philosophy that is not relative to history, culture, or language community. It is a philosophy, or perhaps better termed an alternative epistemology, that… Continue Reading Beholding
Transformative Spirituality
Interspiritual Mystics Transformative Spirituality Monday, August 5, 2019 Catholic monk and mystic Wayne Teasdale (1945–2004) recognized the wisdom in many religious traditions and helped to cultivate respect and understanding between faiths. Though I did not know him personally, Teasdale had an early, long-standing relationship with a community of Franciscans in Massachusetts. He worked tirelessly until… Continue Reading Transformative Spirituality
Opening the Doors of My Being
Mystic: Howard Thurman Opening the Doors of My Being Monday, July 22, 2019 This week we’re reflecting on the writings of Howard Thurman. (See Sunday’s meditation for my introduction.) Today Thurman explores how prayer is not a transaction, nor is it about changing God. It’s about opening our hearts, minds, and bodies to be receptive… Continue Reading Opening the Doors of My Being
Experiential Knowing
Introduction to Christian Mysticism Experiential Knowing Monday, July 15, 2019 When I use the word “mystical” I am referring to experiential knowing instead of just intellectual, textbook, or dogmatic knowing. A mystic sees things in their wholeness, connection, and union, not only their particularity. Mystics get a whole gestalt in one picture, beyond the sequential… Continue Reading Experiential Knowing
Incarnational Mysticism
Introduction to Christian Mysticism Incarnational Mysticism Sunday, July 14, 2019 Years ago, someone asked if I could sum up all my teachings in two words. My response was “incarnational mysticism.” The first word, “incarnational,” is Christianity’s specialty and should always be our essential theme. We believe God became embodied. The early Fathers of the Church… Continue Reading Incarnational Mysticism
The Container and the Contents
Growing in Christ: Week 1 The Container and the Contents Monday, March 18, 2019 Theologically and objectively speaking, we are created in union with God from the beginning (e.g., Ephesians 1:3-9). But it is hard for us to believe or experience this without a healthy ego and boundaries. Thus, the first part of the spiritual… Continue Reading The Container and the Contents
Knowing that We Don’t Know
Unknowing: Week 2 Knowing that We Don’t Know Monday, October 8, 2018 I encourage you, then, to make experience, not knowledge, your aim. Knowledge often leads to arrogance, but this humble feeling never lies to you. —Anonymous, Book of Privy Counsel [1] In meditation, we move beyond doctrines and dogmas to inner experience. When we move… Continue Reading Knowing that We Don’t Know
Dying Before We Die
Islam Dying Before We Die Friday, September 28, 2018 Ironic, but one of the most intimate acts of our body is death. So beautiful appeared my death—knowing who then I would kiss, I died a thousand times before I died. “Die before you die,” said the Prophet Muhammad. Have wings that feared ever touched the… Continue Reading Dying Before We Die
