Transformation: Week 1
Summary: Sunday, June 26-Friday, July 1, 2016
True transformation means your motivation foundationally changes from security, status, and sabotage to generosity, humility, and cooperation. (Sunday)
The work of contemplation is “guarding your mind and your heart” (Philippians 4:7) so that a Larger Presence can show itself. (Monday)
The Christian way is to risk the attachments of love—and then keep growing in what it actually means to love. (Tuesday)
The contemplative mind gives you access to your birthright, to what is already within you. Spiritual cognition is recognition. (Wednesday)
Change of itself just happens; but spiritual transformation must become an actual process of letting go, living in the confusing dark space for a while, and allowing yourself to be spit up on a new and unexpected shore. (Thursday)
The deep mystery of transformation is that God even uses our shame and pain to lead us closer to God’s loving heart. (Friday)
Practice: Gaze of Grace
Invite a trusted beloved (friend, lover, parent, or perhaps yourself through a mirror) to spend a few minutes sharing each other’s gaze. Sit facing each other and begin by lighting a candle or ringing a bell. Take a couple moments with eyes closed to find your center, the still witness. Then open your eyes and simply look at the face of the person across from you.
Give and receive this gaze in silence, being present to the other and to the presence of Love within and without. Let your eyes, face, and body be soft and relaxed while alert. Breathe. If your attention wanders, bring your awareness back to your partner’s eyes and to the presence of Love flowing between you.
When two or three minutes have passed, ring the bell again or bring your hands together and bow to signal the close of the practice. Share a few words, an embrace, or an expression of gratitude.
Gateway to Silence:
Teach me how to see.
For Further Study:
Richard Rohr, Authentic Transformation (CD, MP3 audio download, MP4 video download)
Richard Rohr, Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer
Richard Rohr, Transforming the World through Contemplative Prayer (CD, MP3 audio download)
