Coming Soon
Eternal Heart
Weaving together the wisdom of the mystics, the beatitudes, scriptural teachings regarding the heart, and insights from other faith traditions, Eternal Heart celebrates how we all have the path to a joyful mystical life encoded within us — and it begins right in your heart.
Welcome
to a Website of Unknowing —
featuring the work of contemplative author and speaker Carl McColman. Delve into these pages to reflect on topics such as mystical Christianity, silent prayer, Celtic wisdom, and interfaith spirituality. See what's new »
Please take some time today to be silent.
Know that you are created in the image and likeness of Love.
Anamchara (Anam Ċara)
Gaelic for “Soul Friend”
We encounter God — the Ultimate Mystery — by weaving together silence, love, sacred stories, the capacity to wonder, to celebrate, to contemplate, to pray... and the care of companions along the way.
"Anyone without a soul friend is like a body without a head," proclaimed Saint Brigid. Her words invite and challenge us to seek the Divine in and through the eyes of others. Mystics of every age have shared their wisdom: elder to seeker, mentor to aspirant, and even simply friend to friend. Today, we seek those who may bring God to us — and to whom we, in turn, bring God.
While the printed word can never replace the intimacy and compassion that meets us through a soul friend, may all who visit these electronic pages find stories that resonate, practices that inspire, and the kind of knowledge that leads to the threshold of unknowing.
Contemplation begins with Wonder.
What Are you Wondering About Today?
Discover Mysticism
Karl Rahner famously said, “the Christian of the future will be mystic or will not exist.” Discover for yourself the rich history of mystical spirituality within Christianity (and other traditions as well) — and discern how you can cultivate your own contemplative life.
Deepen Your Practice
Coming soon: a series of online courses designed to support creating your own contemplative practice. Learn how the wisdom of the Christian mystics can bring joy to your daily life. Subscribe to the Anamchara email list to be notified when the first course is launched.
Read Carl's Blog
Carl McColman, the author of this website, has been blogging about the spiritual life since 2003. His weekly updates cover a variety of topics, from popular culture, to book reviews, to Celtic spirituality, to the joys of maintaining a vibrant contemplative practice.
About the Author
Carl McColman
Soul Friend • Storyteller
In addition to creating and maintaining www.anamchara.com, Carl McColman is the author of books about mystical and contemplative spirituality written from a variety of perspectives. Read More »
Books by Carl McColman
Upcoming Events
This Saturday workshop is an orientation to Ken Wilbur’s Integral Theory — also known as “the Theory of Everything”! Building off of Wilbur’s accessible introduction to his thought, A Brief …
Online Workshop: Introduction to Ken Wilber’s Integral Theory (March 6) Read More »
In March 2020 I was scheduled to travel to western North Carolina to give a retreat on Celtic Spirituality. Alas, it was not to be: the Covid-19 pandemic happened. But …
Online Retreat: Celtic Spirituality (March 12-13, 2021) Read More »
Explore the wisdom, wit, poetry and mysticism of the Celtic saints in this 3-day online retreat! In March, I will return (via Zoom) to lead another retreat sponsored by the …
Online Retreat: Celtic Wisdom (March 16-18, 2021) Read More »
Experience the prayer, poetry, folklore, and spirituality of the Celtic Christians of old — and how their down to-earth, lyrical, and hope-filled wisdom still speaks to us today. Our day together …
Online Day of Reflection: Celtic Spirituality (March 20, 2021) Read More »
Karl Rahner said that Christians of the future will be mystics. But what is a mystic? What do mystics do, and how is their faith and spirituality unique? This course …
Online Course: Christian Mysticism (April 19-May 10, 2021) Read More »
Thomas Merton is one of the towering figures of contemplative spirituality over the last century. This Trappist monk was a gifted writer and a brilliant interpreter of the Christian spiritual …
Online Day of Reflection: Thomas Merton (April 24, 2021) Read More »
Four times a year I offer an online Quiet Day/Day of Reflection for the generous patrons who support the Anamchara website/blog/knowledge base through Patreon. The next such quiet day will …
Online Day of Reflection for Patrons: Julian of Norwich (May 8, 2021) Read More »
Julian of Norwich was a 14th century mystic and author who, even in her own lifetime, was renowned as a visionary and spiritual director. She was the first woman to …
Online Retreat: Praying with Julian of Norwich (May 14-15, 2021) Read More »
Work with Carl
Carl McColman has a limited practice of spiritual direction — a one-on-one opportunity for Carl to accompany you as you seek to move more deeply into the life of prayer. Learn More »
Carl is also available to churches and other organizations, to lead retreats or classes (online or in person) related to contemplative spirituality. Make a Booking Inquiry »
