Apr

24

Inter-Religious Spirituality and the Contemplative Renaissance

Contemplation
Thomas Merton

Thomas Merton, Interfaith Friendly Contemplative

My most recent column for Patheos is based on a talk I gave at Columbia Theological Seminary on April 15, 2012, as part of the Contemplative Interfaith Conference co-sponsored by CTS and the Interfaith Community Initiatives. My talk focused on the contemplative dimension of Christianity, but as part of the talk I discussed the role of interfaith dialogue in supporting the rebirth of Christian contemplation in the modern and postmodern era.

Thomas Merton, Tilden Edwards, Bede Griffiths, Thomas Keating — these are some of the important Christian contemplatives whose spirituality and ministry has been, at least in part, shaped by their interfaith exploration.

To read the column, follow this link: Inter-Religious Spirituality and the Contemplative Renaissance

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Apr

11

Contemplation and the Bible

Bible / Contemplation

The Bible: You can find contemplation in it, but you have to know where to look!

The latest installment of Let the Earth Keep Silence, my column for Patheos, has been published. It is a look at the evidence for contemplative spirituality in the Bible. You can read it by following this link: Let the Earth Keep Silence: Contemplation and the Bible.

I’d love to get your thoughts on this column, since this question of “Is contemplation in the Bible?” seems to be a significant concern for many Christians, particularly those who are theologically conservative.

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Apr

09

In Florida

Family

Fran and Rhiannon and I were in Florida last week, and had this snapshot taken of us.

Fran McColman, Carl McColman, Rhiannon Wilburn, at Deer Park near Seagrove Beach, FL, Easter Sunday 2012.

Fran took quite a few pictures over the course of the week. Here’s one of a pelican that was flying near her one morning.

Pelican at Seagrove Beach, FL, April 2012. Photo by Fran McColman.

And for those of you who might be wondering, “hmmm, Holy Week on the beach?!?” — well, we have no control over when the school system is out for spring break! And even though we were “on vacation,” we certainly tried to keep it as, well, contemplative as possible! :-)

This week I’ll probably still be out of pocket as far as my blog is concerned… silly me, I let tax-time creep up on me. But once I get Uncle Sam (and Aunt Georgia) taken care of, I’ll be back in the blog-saddle.

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Apr

04

Joyful Penitence and Easter Wishes

Spirituality

Here is a link to my latest column at Patheos: Joyful Penitence and a Continual Lent.

My next post to this blog won’t be until after the Sacred Triduum — in other words, after Easter. So in the meantime, I wish you and yours a joyous Feast of the Resurrection — may the blessings of the resurrected life be yours.

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Apr

02

Spirit and Standards

monasticism
The Eros of Repentance

The Eros of Repentance

Certainly, Christians in the world cannot live precisely as monks. They can however live in accordance with the spirit and standards of monastic life. This will aid them greatly in preserving their own inner unity and balance while living in a troubled and anxious world.

— Archimandrite George Capsanis, The Eros of Repentance:
Four Talks on Athonite Monasticism

Here is one of the most concise statements of the rationale behind Lay Cistercian spirituality, coming from an Eastern Orthodox monk of Mount Athos, Greece.  Those  who  embrace the life of a Lay Cistercian, or Benedictine Oblate, or some other form of monastic associate, are not so much “monk-wannabe’s” as simply those Christians who recognize that the spirit and standards of monastic spirituality provide laypersons with charisms and practices that can help them to grow in grace as Christians. The goal is to grow closer to God — and hopefully find a measure of “inner unity and balance” as well.

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