Tag Archives: Howard Thurman
Action and Contemplation: Part Three: Weekly Summary
Action and Contemplation: Part Three Summary: Sunday, January 19—Friday, January 25, 2020 The desert mystics’ primary quest was for God, for Love; everything else was secondary. (Sunday) This describes many Desert Fathers and Mothers: high states of union but low levels of cultural, historic, or intellectual exposure to coherent thinking. (Monday) The desert mystics saw solitude, in… Continue Reading Action and Contemplation: Part Three: Weekly Summary
Listening for the Genuine
Interspiritual Mystics Listening for the Genuine Friday, August 9, 2019 Anniversary of the Bombing of Nagasaki I’m encouraged by the rediscovery of the broad and deep contemplative mind, which for the first two thousand years of Christianity had largely been limited to monks, women religious, and mystics. It is not our metaphysics (“what is real”)… Continue Reading Listening for the Genuine
Being Christian
Mystic: Howard Thurman Being Christian Friday, July 26, 2019 Today I invite you to reflect on your own sense of identity—both as an individual and as part of a collective—as you read Howard Thurman’s thoughts on race and relationships: The burden of being black and the burden of being white is so heavy that it… Continue Reading Being Christian
Why Are You Here?
Mystic: Howard Thurman Why Are You Here? Thursday, July 25, 2019 Today, as you read this second excerpt from Howard Thurman’s book Jesus and the Disinherited, hold an open heart and mind. In other words, read with a contemplative stance. The meditation ends with a question that I’ll hope you’ll sit with—as Thurman and his… Continue Reading Why Are You Here?
A Subtle Peril
Mystic: Howard Thurman A Subtle Peril Wednesday, July 24, 2019 Howard Thurman lovingly critiqued Christianity, which has often ignored the direct teaching and witness of Jesus in relationship with those who are oppressed. This excerpt is from one of Thurman’s most well-known books, Jesus and the Disinherited. I think this message is important today and… Continue Reading A Subtle Peril
Faith Teaches
Mystic: Howard Thurman Faith Teaches Tuesday, July 23, 2019 Like many mystics, Howard Thurman saw that humans need to relate to a God that is both beyond rational thought—what I might call a force field of love—and very relatable and personal. This is why Christians have both Jesus and Christ: In Jesus, God was given… Continue Reading Faith Teaches
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
The Meaning of Life
Mystic: Howard Thurman The Meaning of Life Sunday, July 21, 2019 In spite of all seeming evidence to the contrary, mystics know that God is love, and this love is both our source and our goal. I’d like you to recognize that it’s not just me saying these things. There are a great many theologians,… Continue Reading The Meaning of Life
