Tag Archives: illusion
The Path of the Fall
Prophetic Imagination The Path of the Fall Monday, March 22, 2021 In spirituality, there are basically two paths, what I’ve called the path of the fall and the path of the return. The path of return has been the message of the priestly class. True priests talk of religion, communion, love, transcendence, connecting this world… Continue Reading The Path of the Fall
The Spirits of the Air
What Do We Do with Evil? The Spirits of the Air Wednesday, October 14, 2020 It was very difficult to become a Christian if you were a Black man on a slave ship, and the slave ship was called ‘The Good Ship Jesus.’ —James Baldwin (1924–1987) The “flesh” is the second source of evil, deadness,… Continue Reading The Spirits of the Air
A Negative Matrix
What Do We Do with Evil? A Negative Matrix Monday, October 12, 2020 One reason we lost interest in the concept of sin is because we usually heard it being used to judge, shame, exclude, or control others or ourselves. Seldom was the concept of sin used to bring discernment or deeper understanding, much less… Continue Reading A Negative Matrix
The Illusion of the Separate Self
True Self/Separate Self The Illusion of the Separate Self Tuesday, September 1, 2020 CAC faculty member James Finley studied under Thomas Merton as a young monk in formation. While many have been influenced by Merton’s writings, few have had the opportunity to learn from the mystic himself. Today, Jim reflects on the insights on the… Continue Reading The Illusion of the Separate Self
The Illusion of Separation
Death and Resurrection: Week 1 The Illusion of Separation Wednesday, November 14, 2018 Hopefully we begin life as “holy innocents” in the Garden, with a conscious connection to Being. The gaze of loving, caring parents can mirror us as the beloved and gives us a primal experience of life as union. But sooner or later… Continue Reading The Illusion of Separation
Hidden with Christ in God
Sin: Symptom of Separation Hidden with Christ in God Sunday, August 20, 2017 The Judeo-Christian creation story says that we were created in the very “image and likeness” of God: “Let us create humanity in our own image, in the likeness of ourselves” (Genesis 1:26). The true human identity must build on this foundational goodness,… Continue Reading Hidden with Christ in God
Renouncing the World
True Self and False Self: Week 1 Renouncing the World Tuesday, August 8, 2017 The New Testament often uses the word world to speak of the corporate false self. “World” used in this way is not speaking of creation, the planet, or nature, but what we might call “the system.” Unfortunately, many Christians are enamored… Continue Reading Renouncing the World
A Point of Nothingness
True Self/False Self: Week 1 A Point of Nothingness Friday, August 5, 2016 Today we continue with Thomas Merton’s description of the True Self as written following his “conversion” at Fourth and Walnut. It is so inspired, I want to quote it at length: At the center of our being is a point of nothingness… Continue Reading A Point of Nothingness