Comments on: FAQs http://www.anamchara.com Carl McColman ~ The Fullness of Joy is to Behold God in All Wed, 23 May 2012 13:15:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Sara http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12499 Sara Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:33:43 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12499 Hello Carl, I just wanted to mention that I enjoy your site very much and am intrigued by your honesty and authenticity in your approach to your spiritual journey. I am a Pagan (and that has always been my only religious identity - I was raised a liberal atheist ), and while I am extremely committed to my faith and find it fills me with joy and struggle as I believe spirituality ought to, at the same time I am consumed by an interest in Christian liturgy (holy communion particularly), Gnosticism, and the Mysticism teachings of a variety of faiths, predominately Christian and Jewish. I have also developed an interest in emergent theology a la Brian McLaren, who I think has some very radical and important things to say, and I see that you too like his work. This general passion for religion led me to study theology at a Protestant seminary, and I had a wonderful experience there. I have spent the time since supporting my partner in his goals and being engaged in my own discernment process to see where all this has been leading me - the spiritual/vocational journey is always an interesting one! So from this aspiring Pagan Mystic to one Christian Mystic I say Hello and Thank You for such a wonderful site. -S Hello Carl,

I just wanted to mention that I enjoy your site very much and am intrigued by your honesty and authenticity in your approach to your spiritual journey. I am a Pagan (and that has always been my only religious identity – I was raised a liberal atheist ), and while I am extremely committed to my faith and find it fills me with joy and struggle as I believe spirituality ought to, at the same time I am consumed by an interest in Christian liturgy (holy communion particularly), Gnosticism, and the Mysticism teachings of a variety of faiths, predominately Christian and Jewish. I have also developed an interest in emergent theology a la Brian McLaren, who I think has some very radical and important things to say, and I see that you too like his work.

This general passion for religion led me to study theology at a Protestant seminary, and I had a wonderful experience there. I have spent the time since supporting my partner in his goals and being engaged in my own discernment process to see where all this has been leading me – the spiritual/vocational journey is always an interesting one!

So from this aspiring Pagan Mystic to one Christian Mystic I say Hello and Thank You for such a wonderful site.

-S

]]> By: Gary E. Morse http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12498 Gary E. Morse Mon, 28 Jan 2008 04:48:18 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12498 Hello Carl, I am glad you mentioned above, that it is not necessary to do anything to be a mystic except be open to Gods love. It seems to me that either one has the spark inside or not. No matter what one does themselves, only God can awaken that in ourselves, sometimes in very unexpected ways. Unfortuneately, today many seekers chase after those they think can give them the answers, when Jesus simply said "Look Within!". There is much we can learn from others, but there comes a time when one has to quit looking for what others are saying and experience what we ourselves are feeling, seeing and living. Gary Hello Carl,
I am glad you mentioned above, that it is not necessary to do anything to be a mystic except be open to Gods love. It seems to me that either one has the spark inside or not. No matter what one does themselves, only God can awaken that in ourselves, sometimes in very unexpected ways.
Unfortuneately, today many seekers chase after those they think can give them the answers, when Jesus simply said “Look Within!”.
There is much we can learn from others, but there comes a time when one has to quit looking for what others are saying and experience what we ourselves are feeling, seeing and living.
Gary

]]> By: Carl McColman http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12497 Carl McColman Mon, 29 Oct 2007 11:45:34 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12497 Tara, thank you for your question. Everyone's experience is different, so I can only speak about my own journey. Growing up in a middle class Lutheran Church, I was taught a version of Christianity that was basically moralistic — be a good person and go to heaven when you die — coupled with an insistence that we are justified by faith, which seemed to mean that we had to believe in unbelievable things. From there I discovered fundamentalism and neopentecostalism, which wasn't as bland as liberal Protestantism but seemed to place so much emphasis on God's wrath and anger that I simply in good conscience couldn't accept it. All this time, I had never been exposed to the mystical/contemplative tradition within Christianity. But when I finally did encounter that tradition, I discovered not only a lineage of men and women who experienced spirituality as a mind-expanding immersion into cosmic love, but I also discovered that there is a strong tradition of Christian mystical agnosticism: that mystics insist we can never fully know God, and that indeed the only honest stance is to admit all that we <i>don't</i> know of and about God. This is called the apophatic tradition or the tradition of negative theology and unknowing (hence the name of my blog). For me, the combination of the intellectual honesty of apophatic spirituality joined with the beautiful poetry of mysticism-as-union-with-Divine-Love made this largely marginalized thread of Christian tradition deeply appealing, and basically made it possible for me to be a Christian, even within a church (Catholicism) where on a purely social and political level I struggle with so many of its institutional limitations and failings. So I really do believe that, approached with an open mind, mysticism <i>can</i> be a way for someone wounded by or frustrated by the church to sustain or revive a meaningful experience of Christian spirituality. That being said, I also have to acknowledge that mysticism has its own problems — many of the great mystics were unfortunately colored by the failings of the church, and so they use language that is at times harsh, dualistic, or exclusionary, even while they also manage to break through human limitations and encounter the deep stillness of Divine Love. So even mystics have to be read with an honest and discerning mind. Furthermore, because mysticism is so marginalized within contemporary Christianity, don't expect to find your local priest or pastor doing cartwheels when he or she learns that you are a student of mysticism. Many Christians (both lay and ordained) either don't know what mysticism is, or else are vaguely suspicious of it, because they think it is "occult" or "eastern" and therefore "un-Christian." So mysticism is hardly a silver bullet. But for the person who is willing to explore the riches of Christian spirituality, and willing to take the time to find others with a similar interest (monasteries are often a good place to look), mysticism can be a powerful conduit for Divine Love and grace to flow into our lives. Good luck with your journey, Tara. Whereever it may take you, trust the process, and be gentle and patient with your self. Tara, thank you for your question. Everyone’s experience is different, so I can only speak about my own journey. Growing up in a middle class Lutheran Church, I was taught a version of Christianity that was basically moralistic — be a good person and go to heaven when you die — coupled with an insistence that we are justified by faith, which seemed to mean that we had to believe in unbelievable things. From there I discovered fundamentalism and neopentecostalism, which wasn’t as bland as liberal Protestantism but seemed to place so much emphasis on God’s wrath and anger that I simply in good conscience couldn’t accept it. All this time, I had never been exposed to the mystical/contemplative tradition within Christianity. But when I finally did encounter that tradition, I discovered not only a lineage of men and women who experienced spirituality as a mind-expanding immersion into cosmic love, but I also discovered that there is a strong tradition of Christian mystical agnosticism: that mystics insist we can never fully know God, and that indeed the only honest stance is to admit all that we don’t know of and about God. This is called the apophatic tradition or the tradition of negative theology and unknowing (hence the name of my blog). For me, the combination of the intellectual honesty of apophatic spirituality joined with the beautiful poetry of mysticism-as-union-with-Divine-Love made this largely marginalized thread of Christian tradition deeply appealing, and basically made it possible for me to be a Christian, even within a church (Catholicism) where on a purely social and political level I struggle with so many of its institutional limitations and failings.

So I really do believe that, approached with an open mind, mysticism can be a way for someone wounded by or frustrated by the church to sustain or revive a meaningful experience of Christian spirituality. That being said, I also have to acknowledge that mysticism has its own problems — many of the great mystics were unfortunately colored by the failings of the church, and so they use language that is at times harsh, dualistic, or exclusionary, even while they also manage to break through human limitations and encounter the deep stillness of Divine Love. So even mystics have to be read with an honest and discerning mind. Furthermore, because mysticism is so marginalized within contemporary Christianity, don’t expect to find your local priest or pastor doing cartwheels when he or she learns that you are a student of mysticism. Many Christians (both lay and ordained) either don’t know what mysticism is, or else are vaguely suspicious of it, because they think it is “occult” or “eastern” and therefore “un-Christian.” So mysticism is hardly a silver bullet. But for the person who is willing to explore the riches of Christian spirituality, and willing to take the time to find others with a similar interest (monasteries are often a good place to look), mysticism can be a powerful conduit for Divine Love and grace to flow into our lives.

Good luck with your journey, Tara. Whereever it may take you, trust the process, and be gentle and patient with your self.

]]> By: Tara http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12496 Tara Mon, 29 Oct 2007 08:10:28 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12496 Dear Carl, I am an agnostic and former pagan. I was raised Catholic, but grew tired after years of emotional abuse from the clergy, and left. I tried returning to Christianity ten years ago, but got sick of all the stressing about being a sinner, saving my soul from hell, and everything else. You said in one of the answers above that those who have been alienated from Christianity may find solace if they approach Christian mysticism with an open mind. How so? Thank you so much, Tara Dear Carl,

I am an agnostic and former pagan. I was raised Catholic, but grew tired after years of emotional abuse from the clergy, and left. I tried returning to Christianity ten years ago, but got sick of all the stressing about being a sinner, saving my soul from hell, and everything else.

You said in one of the answers above that those who have been alienated from Christianity may find solace if they approach Christian mysticism with an open mind. How so?

Thank you so much,
Tara

]]> By: Carl McColman http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12495 Carl McColman Mon, 25 Jun 2007 00:52:46 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12495 Thanks, Jane. I appreciate your story, it does sound like we share some common ground. <i>The Aspiring Mystic</i> is out of print at the moment but fortunately inexpensive copies are readily available through websites like Half.com or Abebooks.com or Amazon's "Marketplace" feature. I hope you enjoy it. Be gentle with the question of "where do I belong?" - if all else fails, check out the Unitarians, they are very supportive of a personally crafted faith. Thanks, Jane. I appreciate your story, it does sound like we share some common ground. The Aspiring Mystic is out of print at the moment but fortunately inexpensive copies are readily available through websites like Half.com or Abebooks.com or Amazon’s “Marketplace” feature. I hope you enjoy it. Be gentle with the question of “where do I belong?” – if all else fails, check out the Unitarians, they are very supportive of a personally crafted faith.

]]> By: Jane Hutchinson http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12494 Jane Hutchinson Sun, 24 Jun 2007 22:53:45 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12494 Dear Carl, I'm reading your book "Before You Cast A Spell" and it is the first book that MAKES SENSE to me re: spell casting (or prayer as I like to think of it) AND it jibes with my Christian beliefs. I was raised Episcopalian, although I don't know where I fit in at this point. I read your walk from Pagan to Christianity and it brought tears to my eyes because I relate to your experience. It is mine right now. I don't know where I fit. Last year I decided to write my own 'bible' of sorts, to start sorting out what I believed. I have quotes and stories from EVERYTHING in there - Gnosticism, Paganism, The Tao, Gary Zukav, Manly P Hall - it's a mish mash. Where does someone like me find a spiritual home when I don't fit solidly into anywhere?! I can't be untrue to myself, I DO believe that faith is the operative word in any belief system. But where I have sought to honor my faith, there is no real life/energy of the divine present. I had a conversion experience in 1993 that permanently changed my heart and connected me to, what the Christian church would call the Risen Christ. I went along fine for 3 years and then, one day I was sitting in church and I looked around and it didn't work anymore. I couldn't completely honor the male-dominated system. That doesn't mean I don't like it. It just needed more. So I started seeking out the Goddess in all sorts of forms and eventually came to Paganism, Wicca in particular. However, I can not honestly believe in all the Pagan Gods. Although I'd like to, I can't pray to them. I believe in the feminine part of the deity, Sophia, the Goddess of Wisdom and I believe in the energy of God/Spirit that is in all living things. The polarity is so important. I believe that prayer can move that Spirit - as you talk about magic moving energy as a form of spiritual transformation. I don't know...I've rambled, I guess. I just thought I'd touch base with you because I think we are kindred spirits and maybe you can give me some direction to go. I know there's got to be more of me out there - but where? I'm going to pick up a copy of your book The Aspiring Mystic when I get a chance. OH! And by the way, I just discovered Library Thing, too (janehutchi is my username). I've only cataloged about 200 of my books (I have around 1500?) and so far we share two. I checked. The Tao and Markings. Anyway, I just thought I'd drop you a line and let you know that your words have moved my world very deeply today. No answers for me, but a lot to think about and pray about. Drop me an e-mail if you feel so inclined. Thank you, Jane Dear Carl,

I’m reading your book “Before You Cast A Spell” and it is the first book that MAKES SENSE to me re: spell casting (or prayer as I like to think of it) AND it jibes with my Christian beliefs. I was raised Episcopalian, although I don’t know where I fit in at this point.

I read your walk from Pagan to Christianity and it brought tears to my eyes because I relate to your experience. It is mine right now. I don’t know where I fit.

Last year I decided to write my own ‘bible’ of sorts, to start sorting out what I believed. I have quotes and stories from EVERYTHING in there – Gnosticism, Paganism, The Tao, Gary Zukav, Manly P Hall – it’s a mish mash. Where does someone like me find a spiritual home when I don’t fit solidly into anywhere?!

I can’t be untrue to myself, I DO believe that faith is the operative word in any belief system. But where I have sought to honor my faith, there is no real life/energy of the divine present. I had a conversion experience in 1993 that permanently changed my heart and connected me to, what the Christian church would call the Risen Christ. I went along fine for 3 years and then, one day I was sitting in church and I looked around and it didn’t work anymore. I couldn’t completely honor the male-dominated system. That doesn’t mean I don’t like it. It just needed more. So I started seeking out the Goddess in all sorts of forms and eventually came to Paganism, Wicca in particular.

However, I can not honestly believe in all the Pagan Gods. Although I’d like to, I can’t pray to them. I believe in the feminine part of the deity, Sophia, the Goddess of Wisdom and I believe in the energy of God/Spirit that is in all living things. The polarity is so important. I believe that prayer can move that Spirit – as you talk about magic moving energy as a form of spiritual transformation. I don’t know…I’ve rambled, I guess.

I just thought I’d touch base with you because I think we are kindred spirits and maybe you can give me some direction to go. I know there’s got to be more of me out there – but where? I’m going to pick up a copy of your book The Aspiring Mystic when I get a chance.

OH! And by the way, I just discovered Library Thing, too (janehutchi is my username). I’ve only cataloged about 200 of my books (I have around 1500?) and so far we share two. I checked. The Tao and Markings. Anyway, I just thought I’d drop you a line and let you know that your words have moved my world very deeply today. No answers for me, but a lot to think about and pray about. Drop me an e-mail if you feel so inclined.

Thank you,
Jane

]]> By: Carl McColman http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12493 Carl McColman Tue, 24 Apr 2007 21:47:02 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12493 Hi Jerry, thanks for your message. Since I am not an "official" voice of the Catholic church, the fact that I teach classes on Ken Wilber or even Teresa of Avila is simply a non-issue, at least as far as my priest is concerned. He's been bugging me to come teach a class on neo-paganism at my church, but so far I've resisted, mainly because I don't want to get into an argument with conservative Catholics! It's true that Catholicism has a strong conservative voice, one that is emboldened by how conservative the Vatican is these days (let alone the influence of EWTN!). But progressive Catholicism did not die with Thomas Merton. Check out organizations like Call to Action, Voice of the Faithful, Contemplative Outreach, or Pax Christi: that's where you'll find progressive Catholics hanging out. Read authors like Richard Rohr, Thomas Keating, Joan Chittister, or Garry Wills. Make no mistake: it's not easy being a progressive Catholic, and the aggressive conservatism of the church explicitly wants to silence voices of dissent. So I would only counsel progressives to become Catholic if they are clear that they have a call to walk this rather lonely road, and can "stand the heat" of worshipping in a community that fears or attacks them. "Blessed are you when you are persecuted for my name's sake..." but for many progressive Christians, a more congenial environment like the Episcopal Church or the United Church of Christ is simply a better choice. Blessings to you on your journey! Hi Jerry, thanks for your message. Since I am not an “official” voice of the Catholic church, the fact that I teach classes on Ken Wilber or even Teresa of Avila is simply a non-issue, at least as far as my priest is concerned. He’s been bugging me to come teach a class on neo-paganism at my church, but so far I’ve resisted, mainly because I don’t want to get into an argument with conservative Catholics! It’s true that Catholicism has a strong conservative voice, one that is emboldened by how conservative the Vatican is these days (let alone the influence of EWTN!). But progressive Catholicism did not die with Thomas Merton. Check out organizations like Call to Action, Voice of the Faithful, Contemplative Outreach, or Pax Christi: that’s where you’ll find progressive Catholics hanging out. Read authors like Richard Rohr, Thomas Keating, Joan Chittister, or Garry Wills. Make no mistake: it’s not easy being a progressive Catholic, and the aggressive conservatism of the church explicitly wants to silence voices of dissent. So I would only counsel progressives to become Catholic if they are clear that they have a call to walk this rather lonely road, and can “stand the heat” of worshipping in a community that fears or attacks them. “Blessed are you when you are persecuted for my name’s sake…” but for many progressive Christians, a more congenial environment like the Episcopal Church or the United Church of Christ is simply a better choice. Blessings to you on your journey!

]]> By: Jerry Hudson http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12492 Jerry Hudson Tue, 24 Apr 2007 21:14:21 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12492 Carl, Much like yourself, I had delved into Neopaganism for a period in my life and have just recently returned to my Christian roots. Also, like yourself and Fr. Louis (Thomas Merton), I am able to utilize influences from other traditions to foster my own spiritual growth, especially Buddhism. I am wondering, though, how the Catholic church has reacted to you and your ongoing teachings. No doubt, much of what you have to say would be deemed as heretical. I ask this becuause I am attracted to a lot of what the Catholic church has to offer but, at the same time, I am gravely concerned about its intolerance towards more "liberal" thinking. Just curious, jerry Carl,

Much like yourself, I had delved into Neopaganism for a period in my life and have just recently returned to my Christian roots. Also, like yourself and Fr. Louis (Thomas Merton), I am able to utilize influences from other traditions to foster my own spiritual growth, especially Buddhism.

I am wondering, though, how the Catholic church has reacted to you and your ongoing teachings. No doubt, much of what you have to say would be deemed as heretical. I ask this becuause I am attracted to a lot of what the Catholic church has to offer but, at the same time, I am gravely concerned about its intolerance towards more “liberal” thinking.

Just curious,
jerry

]]> By: Paul Kiler http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12491 Paul Kiler Mon, 23 Apr 2007 06:04:16 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12491 I just stopped by to invite you to a new Christian Mysticism discussion list, and wondered if you'd like to join... I would not presume, but wanted to make you aware of it, and I would love to hear you in the conversations. Blessings to you this Sunday, Only by His marvelous Grace, Paul Kiler * Group home page: http://groups.google.com/group/christian-mysticism?hl=en I just stopped by to invite you to a new Christian Mysticism discussion list, and wondered if you’d like to join… I would not presume, but wanted to make you aware of it, and I would love to hear you in the conversations.

Blessings to you this Sunday,

Only by His marvelous Grace,
Paul Kiler

* Group home page: http://groups.google.com/group/christian-mysticism?hl=en

]]> By: Carl McColman http://www.anamchara.com/about/hob/faq/#comment-12490 Carl McColman Mon, 09 Apr 2007 02:48:34 +0000 http://mccolman.wordpress.com/faq/#comment-12490 Thanks, Marco. The best way to stay in touch is through this blog or by subscribing to my email newsletter at mccolman-subscribe@yahoogroups.com Since I work full-time and have a special needs child at home I'm not on the road very much; I do offer classes from time to time in the Atlanta area. I send out information about upcoming classes via the newsletter. As for personal contact, I only have limited time available and mostly it goes to people who are seeking editorial or writing support. My consulting fee is $100 per hour. Out of fairness to the clients who are paying for my time as a writer/editor, I charge the same amount regardless of the reason why people wish to work with me. If what you are seeking is spiritual guidance, I really recommend that you save yourself the money and find a qualified spiritual director in your home town (visit www.sdiworld.org for resources for finding a spiritual guide/director). I am so pleased that <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1580624162/earthmystic" rel="nofollow">The Aspiring Mystic</a> is speaking to you. Many blessings to you on your journey! Thanks, Marco. The best way to stay in touch is through this blog or by subscribing to my email newsletter at mccolman-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Since I work full-time and have a special needs child at home I’m not on the road very much; I do offer classes from time to time in the Atlanta area. I send out information about upcoming classes via the newsletter.

As for personal contact, I only have limited time available and mostly it goes to people who are seeking editorial or writing support. My consulting fee is $100 per hour. Out of fairness to the clients who are paying for my time as a writer/editor, I charge the same amount regardless of the reason why people wish to work with me. If what you are seeking is spiritual guidance, I really recommend that you save yourself the money and find a qualified spiritual director in your home town (visit http://www.sdiworld.org for resources for finding a spiritual guide/director).

I am so pleased that The Aspiring Mystic is speaking to you. Many blessings to you on your journey!

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