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

Does God = Consciousness?

By in Contemplation

A reader writes… Carl, I am a theoretical physicist by training and have struggled with the idea of supernatural concepts like God. Even so, contemplation has increased my sense of God being part of me, which I like very much. So here is my question: Do you think it is too radical to say God [...]

Read full story · Comments are closed · April 12, 2013

Carmelite Review reviews “Answering the Contemplative Call”

By in Books, Reviews

The latest (Winter/Spring 2013) issue of Carmelite Review includes a review of Answering the Contemplative Call. Here’s the review. You can purchase a copy of the book by clicking here.

Read full story · Comments { 0 } · April 11, 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
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