Tag Archives: union
Joy in Contemplation
Joy and Hope Joy in Contemplation Wednesday, November 28, 2018 Joy proceeds from the inner realization of union with God, which descends upon us at ever deeper levels as we walk our faith journey. This deepening is the goal of Christian contemplation and is the heart of perennial wisdom from every faith. This is how… Continue Reading Joy in Contemplation
Do Not Be Afraid
Death and Resurrection: Week 1 Do Not Be Afraid Friday, November 16, 2018 I am aware of the phrase “true self” occurring only once in the Bible. Paul used the words to describe what he was desperately trying to locate in the midst of some major trials with his false self. He wrote of it… Continue Reading Do Not Be Afraid
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
The Ground of Being
Death and Resurrection: Week 1 The Ground of Being Sunday, November 11, 2018 The fact that life and death are “not two” is extremely difficult to grasp, not because it is so complex, but because it is so simple. —Ken Wilber [1] We miss the unity of life and death at the very point where… Continue Reading The Ground of Being
Unity in Differentiation
Love: Week 2 Unity in Differentiation Friday, November 9, 2018 Cynthia Bourgeault, one of CAC’s core faculty members, continues expanding on Pierre Teilhard de Chardin’s understanding of love as a creative force: We can look to our own hearts to tell us more about what Teilhard sees as the essence of the complexification/consciousness process—hence of… Continue Reading Unity in Differentiation
Knowing that We Don’t Know
Unknowing: Week 2 Knowing that We Don’t Know Monday, October 8, 2018 I encourage you, then, to make experience, not knowledge, your aim. Knowledge often leads to arrogance, but this humble feeling never lies to you. —Anonymous, Book of Privy Counsel [1] In meditation, we move beyond doctrines and dogmas to inner experience. When we move… Continue Reading Knowing that We Don’t Know
Dying Before We Die
Islam Dying Before We Die Friday, September 28, 2018 Ironic, but one of the most intimate acts of our body is death. So beautiful appeared my death—knowing who then I would kiss, I died a thousand times before I died. “Die before you die,” said the Prophet Muhammad. Have wings that feared ever touched the… Continue Reading Dying Before We Die
The Soul’s Objective Union with God
Western Christianity The Soul’s Objective Union with God Wednesday, September 19, 2018 The Genesis story of the Judeo-Christian tradition is really quite extraordinary. It says that we were created in the very “image and likeness” of God, proceeding from free and overflowing love (Genesis 1:26). This flow is rediscovered and re-experienced by various imperfect people… Continue Reading The Soul’s Objective Union with God
Hasidism
Judaism Hasidism Friday, August 31, 2018 The Baal Shem Tov (1698-1760)—Master of the Good Name—was the founder of a Jewish religious movement called Hasidism that began in the eighteenth century. The “Besht” (acronym for Baal Shem Tov) was ecstatically in love with God. He reminds me a bit of my own spiritual father, St. Francis… Continue Reading Hasidism
Ways of Praying and Knowing
Hinduism Ways of Praying and Knowing Tuesday, August 14, 2018 Hinduism emphasizes concrete practices (yogas) which allow practitioners to know things for themselves. I often wonder if conservative Christians are afraid of the word yoga because they are in fact afraid of concrete orthopraxy! They prefer to strongly believe things but have very few daily practices… Continue Reading Ways of Praying and Knowing
