NEW FOR 2019: Now available! An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom draws on myth, folklore, poetry, and the tales of Celtic saints and heroes, to explore the spiritual tradition of the Celtic peoples — a tradition rooted in hospitality, love of nature, and a mystical sense of the presence of God. The Celtic way is more important […]
What is the future of humanity? Will we ever evolve beyond our current identity of homo sapiens? After all, our ancestors weren’t always homo sapiens. Go back far enough and we find homo neanderthalensis or homo erectus in our past. We’ve evolved before, so doesn’t make sense to assume that we shall evolve again?…… Read more at Patheos
Since I have written about witchcraft and neopaganism — both books and posts on this blog — I often get requests, especially from Christians, who are seeking advice about their interest in magic. When I answer such requests, I try to be kind, thoughtful, and to avoid the knee-jerk reaction…… Read more at Patheos
This episode concludes our two-part conversation with author and spiritual director Therese Taylor-Stinson, the founder of the Spiritual Directors of Color Network. To listen to part one, please click here. “All contemplation should be followed by action; they are there for one another. The reason to contemplate anything would be to have clarity about what … Continue reading Therese Taylor-Stinson: Silence, Contemplation, and Justice (Part Two) → … Read more at Encountering Silence
Over the past month I have written several posts about Centering Prayer and contemplation, all in response to an email I received from an Episcopal priest with some thought-provoking questions about the theory and practice of contemplative spirituality. You can read the original email here. Here are the posts I’ve…… Read more at Patheos
Therese Taylor-Stinson is the co-editor of Embodied Spirits: Stories of Spiritual Directors of Color, and the editor of Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around — Stories of Contemplation and Justice. She is an ordained deacon and elder in the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), a lay pastoral caregiver, and a graduate of and an associate faculty … Continue reading Therese Taylor-Stinson: Silence, Contemplation, and Justice (Part One) → … Read more at Encountering Silence
A Meditation for Palm Sunday, April 14, 2019 Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. He will cut off the chariot from…… Read more at Patheos
Alleluia! Lent is almost over! In just a few days to come we will journey through the Sacred Triduum of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, culminating in the Great Vigil of Easter, marking the Resurrection of Christ—and the end, for another year, of our Lenten fasts and sacrifices.…… Read more at Patheos
This is the third of a series of blog posts in response to a lengthy email I received a few weeks ago from an Episcopal priest who is a veteran centering prayer practitioner. You can read the email in its entirety here, and then the first post and the second…… Read more at Patheos
Cynthia Bourgeault continues her conversation with the Encountering Silence team, offering insight into silence as a deeper way of knowing, contemplative Christianity as a unique spiritual path, and centering prayer as a singular practice of deep meditation. This is part two of a two-part interview. Click here to listen to part one. “There is no … Continue reading Cynthia Bourgeault: The Heart of Silence (Part Two) → … Read more at Encountering Silence
Cynthia Bourgeault has embraced silence and the contemplative life from a variety of perspectives: as a child in Quaker schools, as an Episcopal priest, as a student of the Gurdjieff “Fourth Way” and of centering prayer working with Fr. Thomas Keating, and now as a teacher both in her own Wisdom Schools and as part … Continue reading Cynthia Bourgeault: The Heart of Silence (Part One) → … Read more at Encountering Silence
Recently on social I media I offered this observation: My online friend James Ishmael Ford, author of books like Introduction to Zen Koans and Zen Master Who?, reposted it to his timeline, dutifully crediting me as the source. I was surprised — and a bit bemused — by the response. James is a…… Read more at Patheos
Asheville, NC is one of my favorite places in the world. Beautiful mountains, a thriving city with a vibrant arts scene (not to mention craft breweries and great restaurants), and home to some wonderful Christian communities, from the Wild Goose Festival which takes place every summer, to Haw Creek Commons — a…… Read more at Patheos
Hope you can join me (and the good folks at Haw Creek Commons) on the Saturday after Easter for a special day-retreat.
Poetry is where storytelling and contemplation meet one another. With this idea as our starting point, our day will weave together silence, reflection and prayer based on the themes of contemplation, social action, community building, and deep trust. We will take a closer look at the poetry and wisdom of several contemporary figures — poets like Thomas Merton and Mary Oliver, along with the insight of contemplative teachers like Martin Laird or Julian of Norwich. We’ll combine generous time for prayer, meditation, personal reflection, and journaling with opportunities for small group sharing.
This event is paired with a Friday evening program, Storytelling as a Subversive Art. Register separately for each event.
| Date: | April 27, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 9:00 A.M. - 1:00 P.M. |
| Event: | "Poetry, Prayer and Protest" Day of Reflection |
| Topic: | Poetry, Prayer and Protest |
| Sponsor: |
Haw Creek Commons (828) 412-0949 |
| Venue: |
Haw Creek Commons (828) 412-0949 |
| Location: | 311 Old Haw Creek Road Asheville, NC 28805 |
| Public: | Public |
| Registration: | Click here to register. |
| More Info: | Click here for more information. |
To invite me to speak to your community, click here.
My friends with the Haw Creek Commons community in Asheville, NC are hosting a special Friday evening event called “Storytelling as a Subversive Art.” Space is limited for this event — so register soon!
This will be an opportunity for us to explore how storytelling can shape a meaningful and life-changing spirituality. I’ll tell a story (or a few), and reflect together with you on how stories and storytelling help us to find meaning, purpose, mission, and perhaps even a sense of communion with God. Depending on how the evening goes, we’ll have time for shared prayer, silence, and conversation.
This event is paired with a Saturday retreat, Poetry, Prayer and Protest. Register separately for each event.
| Date: | April 26, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Time: | 07:00-09:00 PM |
| Event: | Sacred (and Subversive) Storytelling in Asheville, NC |
| Topic: | Sacred Storytelling |
| Sponsor: |
Haw Creek Commons (828) 412-0949 |
| Venue: |
Haw Creek Commons (828) 412-0949 |
| Location: | 311 Old Haw Creek Road Asheville, NC 28805 |
| Public: | Public |
| Registration: | Click here to register. |
| More Info: | Click here for more information. |
To invite me to speak to your community, click here.
Our conversation with contemplative author Martin Laird concludes with this episode. To hear part one, click here. To hear part two, click here. “In a spiritual path there are no ‘outcomes assessments’.” — Martin Laird After recording an interview with just Carl and Kevin, Fr. Martin graciously agreed to an additional recording session with all … Continue reading Martin Laird: Silent Land, Luminous Ocean (Part Three) → … Read more at Encountering Silence
