Tag Archives: grief

Joy and Sadness: A Lesson from Merton’s Hermitage

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on November 22, 2020

Thomas Merton: Contemplation and Action Joy and Sadness: A Lesson from Merton’s Hermitage Sunday, November 22, 2020 In 1985 my Franciscan “guardians” (as Francis called our superiors) gave me a year’s leave to spend in contemplation. It was a major turning point in my life, and ultimately led to the formation of the Center for… Continue Reading Joy and Sadness: A Lesson from Merton’s Hermitage

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged anecdote, joy, perspective, Richard Rohr, solitude, Thomas Merton

Contemplating Anger

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on June 9, 2020

Contemplation and Racism Contemplating Anger Tuesday, June 9, 2020 I have learned to use my anger for good. . . . Without it, we would not be motivated to rise to a challenge. It is an energy that compels us to define what is just and unjust. —Gandhi Today my colleague and CAC faculty member… Continue Reading Contemplating Anger

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged African Americans, Anger, Barbara Holmes, justice, racism, restoration

The Presence of Spirit

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on April 27, 2020

Liminal Space The Presence of Spirit Monday, April 27, 2020 Many things can bring us to the “threshold” of our ordinary ways of thinking and behaving, but even good rituals are merely “stand-ins” until Reality itself, often in the form of great love or great suffering, steps in and changes us forever. My friend Paula… Continue Reading The Presence of Spirit

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged death, Disruption, liminal space, loss, Paula D'Arcy, surrender

The Dark Emotions

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on March 26, 2020

The Path of Descent The Dark Emotions Thursday, March 26, 2020 Author and Episcopal priest Barbara Brown Taylor invites us to consider the lessons that suffering has to teach us and reminds us that we can only learn when we are willing to stay put instead of turning away. [Psychotherapist Miriam] Greenspan says that painful… Continue Reading The Dark Emotions

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged Barbara Brown Taylor, darkness, Emotions, Suffering, Zen

The Abyss of Grief

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on November 19, 2018

Death and Resurrection: Week 2 The Abyss of Grief Monday, November 19, 2018 My friend and brilliant translator of many mystics, Mirabai Starr, who lives nearby in Taos, New Mexico, has encountered numerous deaths and losses, each cultivating in her a deeper spiritual practice and longing for God. But the death of her fourteen-year-old daughter,… Continue Reading The Abyss of Grief

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged Compassion, death, longing, loss, Mirabai Starr, resurrection, surrender

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on February 1, 2018

Sermon on the Mount: Week 1 Blessed Are Those Who Mourn Thursday, February 1, 2018 Blessed are those who mourn: they shall be comforted. —Matthew 5:4 Tears are therapeutic and healing, both emotionally and physically. Crying helps the body shed stress hormones and stimulates endorphins. Weeping is a natural and essential part of being human.… Continue Reading Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged Beatitudes, Eknath Easwaran, Jesus, mourning, solidarity, Suffering

Grief

Written by Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM on September 8, 2017

Hope in the Darkness Grief Friday, September 8, 2017 My friend and fellow teacher Mirabai Starr has become intimate with darkness through studying and translating the work of St. John of the Cross, as well as her own journey through the tragic loss of her daughter. Here she describes the experience of spiritual darkness and… Continue Reading Grief

Posted in Daily Meditations | Also tagged darkness, John of the Cross, loss, Love, Mirabai Starr, surrender, Tim Farrington