Tag Archives: mystics
The Mystics as Directors
Spiritual Direction The Mystics as Directors Thursday, June 24, 2021 In addition to his work as a therapist, my friend James Finley has served as a spiritual director for decades. While spiritual direction most often involves one-on-one conversations between two living persons, Jim shows us how reading the words of the mystics can be a… Continue Reading The Mystics as Directors
Mystical Marriage: Weekly Summary
Mystical Marriage Saturday, May 15, 2021 Week Nineteen Summary and Practice Sunday, May 9—Friday, May 14, 2021 Sunday The big and hidden secret is this: an infinite God seeks and desires intimacy with the human soul. Once we experience such intimacy, only the intimate language of lovers describes the experience for us: mystery, tenderness, singularity,… Continue Reading Mystical Marriage: Weekly Summary
Transformed in the Beloved
Mystical Marriage Transformed in the Beloved Friday, May 14, 2021 The infinite love that is the architect of our hearts has made our hearts in such a way that nothing less than an infinite union with infinite love will do. It’s the setup in the beginning. . . . That infinite love creates you as… Continue Reading Transformed in the Beloved
Spousal Prayer
Mystical Marriage Spousal Prayer Thursday, May 13, 2021 The soul who deeply desires to remain in Christ’s holy company, and is sincerely grateful for the intimacy with him that is possible, and finds herself truly in love with this Lord who does so much for us—is the soul whom I consider to be most evolved.… Continue Reading Spousal Prayer
God is Entirely Intimate
Mystical Marriage God is Entirely Intimate Wednesday, May 12, 2021 Lie down in the Fire See and taste the Flowing Godhead through thy being; Feel the Holy Spirit Moving and compelling Thee within the Flowing Fire and Light of God. —Mechthild of Magdeburg, The Flowing Light of the Godhead 6.29 Mechthild of Magdeburg (c. 1212–c.… Continue Reading God is Entirely Intimate
The Great Love Song
Mystical Marriage The Great Love Song Tuesday, May 11, 2021 Carl McColman has written many accessible books on spirituality, the mystics, and contemplative prayer. Here he explores a biblical book of “bridal mysticism” and also offers an example of a modern mystic who experienced this kind of union with God. “God is love” (1… Continue Reading The Great Love Song
Christ, Our Beloved Bridegroom
Mystical Marriage Christ, Our Beloved Bridegroom Monday, May 10, 2021 If we could glimpse the panoramic view of the biblical revelation and the Big Picture of which we are a part, we’d see how God is forever evolving human consciousness, making us ever more ready for God. The Hebrew prophets and many Catholic and Sufi… Continue Reading Christ, Our Beloved Bridegroom
We Are the Beloved
Mystical Marriage We Are the Beloved Sunday, May 9, 2021 Saint Bonaventure taught that we are each “loved by God in a particular and incomparable manner, as in the case of a bride and groom.” [1] Francis and Clare of Assisi knew that the love God has for each soul is unique and made to… Continue Reading We Are the Beloved
Doubt: A Necessary Tool for Growth
Unknowing Doubt: A Necessary Tool for Growth Monday, February 1, 2021 My good friend and colleague Brian McLaren’s recently published book, Faith After Doubt, shows how doubt and periods of unknowing are necessary for spiritual growth. Brian proposes a four-stage growth process of Simplicity, Complexity, Perplexity, and Harmony. He writes: Doubt, it turns out, is… Continue Reading Doubt: A Necessary Tool for Growth
What the Mystics Know
Thomas Keating: The Secret Embrace, Part One What the Mystics Know Friday, October 23, 2020 Today I pause Cynthia Bourgeault’s reflections and offer a few words about the essential role of contemplation in the lives of honest spiritual seekers like Thomas Keating and Cynthia herself. To many people, contemplation is an old-fashioned word, but it… Continue Reading What the Mystics Know