Tag Archives: Thomas Merton
Freedom: An Infinite Possibility of Growth
Inner and Outer Freedom Freedom: An Infinite Possibility of Growth Monday, June 15, 2020 The spirituality of CAC faculty member James Finley has been deeply influenced by the writings of Thomas Merton (1915–1968). In this passage, Jim explores the paradoxical wisdom that true freedom does not come from following our own will but in knowing… Continue Reading Freedom: An Infinite Possibility of Growth
Contemplative Consciousness
Action and Contemplation: Part 3 Contemplative Consciousness Sunday, January 19, 2020 I’ve heard some concerns over the years that contemplation is a practice of “Eastern” meditation wrapped in a Christian disguise. Some Christians have even been taught that seeking union with God through silence makes room for the “devil” to get in. While understandable, these apprehensions are based on a… Continue Reading Contemplative Consciousness
We Are Already One
Oneness We Are Already One Thursday, September 26, 2019 Thomas Merton (1915–1968) helped many within and beyond Christianity imagine the oneness at the heart of reality. Catherine Nerney, SSJ, director of the Institute for Forgiveness and Reconciliation at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia, shares insights she’s gathered from Merton’s writings: God’s compassion knows no withholding.… Continue Reading We Are Already One
The Gate of Heaven
Heaven Now The Gate of Heaven Thursday, May 2, 2019 James Finley, one of the Center for Action and Contemplation’s core faculty members, was a spiritual directee of Thomas Merton (1915–1968) at the Abbey of Gethsemani. Drawing from this experience and his own insights as a student of the mystics and a clinical psychologist, Finley… Continue Reading The Gate of Heaven
Knowing Our Source
Contemplation: Week 1 Knowing Our Source Monday, December 10, 2018 Thomas Merton Day Within Christianity, contemplation was not systematically taught for the last 400 or 500 years. Thankfully, Trappist monk Thomas Merton (1915–1968)—who died fifty years ago today—helped reintroduce contemplation to Western Christianity. Here’s just a taste of what Merton had to say about contemplation:… Continue Reading Knowing Our Source
The Self-in-God
Western Christianity The Self-in-God Tuesday, September 18, 2018 In his booklet That We May Be One, Thomas Keating writes about two models of spirituality and how they influence our growth in God’s likeness: Since the Reformation, the Christian Tradition has been somewhat focused on doctrinal differences rather than on the spiritual journey itself and the… Continue Reading The Self-in-God
Renewal of Contemplative Christianity
Western Christianity Renewal of Contemplative Christianity Monday, September 17, 2018 In the 1950s and 1960s, Thomas Merton brought renewed interest to the contemplative tradition in the West. He became a Trappist monk and “left the world” for the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky, where he learned the lessons of contemplation and action. Merton was spiritual… Continue Reading Renewal of Contemplative Christianity
Seeking Spiritual Freedom
Early Christianity Seeking Spiritual Freedom Thursday, September 6, 2018 A brother was restless in the community and often moved to anger. So he said: “I will go, and live somewhere by myself. And since I shall be able to talk or listen to no one, I shall be tranquil, and my passionate anger will cease.”… Continue Reading Seeking Spiritual Freedom
Contemplation in Action
Politics: Week 1 Contemplation in Action Monday, July 9, 2018 What is the relation of [contemplation] to action? Simply this. He [or she] who attempts to act and do things for others or for the world without deepening his own self-understanding, freedom, integrity and capacity to love will not have anything to give others. He will communicate to… Continue Reading Contemplation in Action
Finding Our Charism
Vocation Finding Our Charism Tuesday, May 29, 2018 Night is our diocese and silence is our ministry Poverty our charity and helplessness our tongue-tied sermon. Beyond the scope of sight or sound we dwell upon the air Seeking the world’s gain in an unthinkable experience. We are exiles in the far end of solitude, living… Continue Reading Finding Our Charism
