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Benedictine Spirituality and the Community of Hope

By in Contemplation, Spirituality

On April 20 I had the privilege of speaking to the Southeast Regional Conference of the Community of Hope International, an ecumenical organization of Christians whose mission is “to create and sustain Christian communities of volunteer lay pastoral caregivers around the world.” Their mission statement goes on to say, “We are united in prayer, shaped [...]

Read full story · Comments { 1 } · April 24, 2013

Concerning Stillness, Songs, and Soul Friends

By in Spirituality

A reader writes: Carl, when you are sufficiently silent with the “waters stilled” how do you experience revelation. I suppose a better question would be what is your experience “there” like? Does God float into view … or does God whisper … ?? Or do you find a path to look inwardly in order to [...]

Read full story · Comments { 3 } · March 26, 2013

Simplicity and Silence

By in Christianity, Contemplation, Spirituality

This message came to me the other day. Hi Carl. Love reading your blogs. From one who is a struggling contemplative can you tell me what form of contemplative prayer you do and why? Also can one do more than one form of contemplative prayer? ie, will one complement the other? Two questions here. First, [...]

Read full story · Comments { 4 } · March 22, 2013

Plunging Thought Into Light

By in Mysticism, Spirituality

The Philokalia is an extensive anthology of writings on prayer by Eastern Orthodox contemplatives. The anthology was first compiled in the 18th century, and a number of editions have been published over the years, in Greek, Russian, and other languages; currently a four volume set is available in English (which does not include the entire anthology; [...]

Read full story · Comments { 2 } · March 20, 2013

Growing in Love and Wisdom

By in Books, interfaith dialogue, Reviews, Spirituality

Readers of this blog know that my love and commitment to the Christian contemplative tradition is balanced by a heartfelt desire to learn more about other faiths, particularly the contemplative dimension of other traditions. Naturally, Buddhism, as a school of wisdom with many rich resources in the practice of meditation, is a particularly appealing tradition [...]

Read full story · Comments { 9 } · March 18, 2013

A Christian Prayer for Daily Contemplative Practice

By in Spirituality

O God of Uncreated Light, we come before you now to offer you our selves. We can only do this through your grace. Grant us the grace of mindfulness. Help us to be calm, so that we may rest in your silence and peace. Grant us the grace of willingness. Transform our will into yours, [...]

Read full story · Comments { 8 } · January 28, 2013

Seven Books on Christianity and Nondualism

By in Mysticism, Spirituality

My friend Ellen recently asked me on Facebook to define nondualism for her. I referred her to a post I wrote on the subject last summer called Nonduality in the Bible… and Us. Not much to add to that post, but I though I’d offer a short list of books that explore nonduality within a [...]

Read full story · Comments { 11 } · December 27, 2012
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