Tag Archives: Presence
The Fruitful Margins of the Empire
Mystics and the Margins The Fruitful Margins of the Empire Wednesday, September 30, 2020 On the margins of the Roman Empire, Ireland and Scotland helped hand down the Christian contemplative lineage. The Romans had conquered much of Europe by the time of Jesus’ birth; though they ruled Britain, the Romans never occupied Ireland or parts… Continue Reading The Fruitful Margins of the Empire
An Unspeakable Name
Interspiritual Mysticism An Unspeakable Name Monday, September 21, 2020 Remember what God said to Moses: “I AM Who I AM” (Exodus 3:14). God is clearly not tied to a name, nor does God seem to want us to tie Divinity to any one name. Which is why, in Judaism, God’s statement to Moses became God’s… Continue Reading An Unspeakable Name
Viriditas: The Greening of Things
The Rhineland Mystics Viriditas: The Greening of Things Monday, August 3, 2020 Hildegard is not only mystic; she is also prophet. . . . She disturbs the complacent, deliberately provoking the privileged, be they emperors or popes, abbots or archbishops, monks or princes to greater justice and deeper sensitivity to the oppressed. . . .… Continue Reading Viriditas: The Greening of Things
A Communion of Subjects
Cosmology and Nature A Communion of Subjects Friday, June 26, 2020 Acknowledging the intrinsic value, beauty, and even soul of creation, elements, plants, and animals is a major paradigm shift for most Western Christians. In fact, many in the past often dismissed such thinking as animism or paganism. We limited God’s love and salvation to… Continue Reading A Communion of Subjects
A Community for All
Community A Community for All Wednesday, May 6, 2020 Jesus’ intimacy with the nature of God as relationship inspired him to redefine the boundaries of family and tribe. Jesus extended kinship to everyone. Author and scholar Beatrice Bruteau (1930–2014) looks to Jesus for a fundamental understanding of what it means to be Christian community: Jesus… Continue Reading A Community for All
Reconnecting with the Unconscious
Liminal Space Reconnecting with the Unconscious Thursday, April 30, 2020 My friend John Philip Newell is a poet and scholar who believes in the transformative power of Celtic Christian spirituality to support us in our era. The ancient Celts made great use of liminal times and places to integrate the “paired opposites” of which the… Continue Reading Reconnecting with the Unconscious
Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross: Weekly Summary
Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross Summary: Sunday, April 19 — Friday, April 24, 2020 Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross were part of the “final supernova” of nondual, mystical consciousness in 16th century Spain. (Sunday) Our hearts open either because they have been softened, or perhaps because suffering makes us… Continue Reading Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross: Weekly Summary
Mystical Hope
The Universal Pattern Mystical Hope Thursday, April 16, 2020 Hope is the main impulse of life. —Ilia Delio, OSF [1] Because we are so quickly led to despair, most of us cannot endure suffering for long without some sliver of hope or meaning. However, it is worth asking ourselves about where our hope lies. My… Continue Reading Mystical Hope
The Head Center
Enneagram Part Three: Head Center The Head Center Tuesday, March 10, 2020 My friend and Enneagram teacher Russ Hudson describes the Head Center, the final Intelligence Center of the Enneagram, in his own unique and “heady” way: Some of the Eastern religions, particularly Buddhism, did a very thorough investigation of the nature of the Head… Continue Reading The Head Center
Two Sides of the Coin
Enneagram Part Three: Head Center Two Sides of the Coin Sunday, March 8, 2020 If taken seriously and used responsibly, the Enneagram is a tool that can help us move from dualistic thinking to nondual consciousness. It helps us recognize and forgive the paradoxes that we all carry, what we might call our “sins.” The Enneagram… Continue Reading Two Sides of the Coin
