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1. What inspired you to take this course? Were you familiar with Meditations on the Tarot prior to this course?
2. Do you have experience with Centering Prayer, lectio divina, or other forms of contemplative spiritual practice? How have exercises like this been helpful or meaningful for you?
3. Is there a particular goal or hope that you bring with you as you participate in this course? What dream do you have for participating in a course like this?
4. Any questions or wonderments that are arising for you here at the beginning of the course? If appropriate, please share on the Forum.
1) I am part of a community that focuses on the esoteric traditions of Christianity. I had known about it but never obtained it. I purchased it a year ago and started reading but realized this was a book to be read very intentionally and purposely. I would read a paragraph and just set it aside and meditate on how it would resonate in me.
2) Yes, Centering Prayer, Lectio, Hesychast prayer, breathing practices, visualization, et. are part of my daily practices. They have helped me stay grounded in my life and sometimes I feel they are part of an alchemical change that is happening in me.
3) To understand better this tradition in Christianity and how this may enrich and deepen my own practices in this journey towards (or uncovering of it already present!) of wisdom, illumination and theosis.
4) My wonderment is the joy of how we can find so much wisdom in so many diverse places and the sadness that sometimes in Christianity we limit our wisdom to very limited or “shallow” fountains and ignore so much depth and wisdom in our tradition.1. I have had the book for two years and kept telling myself to read it, but never did. I am very glad that there is a course for it because there is a lot in nearly every paragraph to reflect upon.
2. Centering prayer and lectio divina are part of my daily practices and I have found a lot of meaning in them. I had to learn how to reflect rather than just recite prayers rotely or read a Scripture passage every day without really taking it in.
3. I guess my dream for the course is to just learn and see where God takes me.
4. I’m sure I will have a lot of questions throughout the course!1. I was not familiar with the book and I’m intrigued by the long list of notable people whose spiritual lives were enhanced through the reading of the 22 letters. Upon receiving the book I immediately felt as one of the unknown friends.
2. Daily I practice contemplative meditation. I, unknowingly until today learned, practice lectio divina. It is just a way I began to read- prayed. I was not raised in any specific religion, if anything was pushed away from “religion” I have grown through a very eclectic and personal spiritual walk)
I am fortunate to spend weeks – months living in wilderness commune in silence with our Creator. That said, I am not a quiet person!3. When I am in prayer/meditation , connection in oneness.. I am raised to a higher level of consciousness in an experience of joining , I would like to be able to work, play, live in that same way that I experience now for just periods of time.
4. Looking forward to learning and understanding why he used tarot card symbols.
1. I have been fascinated by hermeticism for a long time. To put Christian in front of that word really piqued my interest. I am equally excited that this course is the pilot of a collection of courses on “contemplative study of mystical writings”.
2. I have a rhythm of prayer that includes the Office, centering prayer, lectio and visio divina. Each morning I sing, “One thing I have asked of the LORD, and this is what I seek, that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life …” This spiritual practice keeps me in and returns me to that dwelling place, “to behold the beauty of the LORD …”
3. I am so curious and excited to see what graces GOD offers me through this course.
4. I am thoroughly amazed that such a course is offered! I am also thrilled to see such an extensive and diverse interest.1- I am familiar with MOTT. I’ve had it a while. Cracked it several times before getting distracted by something else–it is as dense as it is approachable, no doubt; bet I’ve read Magician half a dozen times, and High Priestess two or three, before bailing out in the Empress. Now feels like the right timing for diving deeply.
2- My meditation practices are once or twice daily with either Centering Prayer, Lectio, Examen, Welcoming Prayer, Neelakantha, or Mindfulness techniques.
3- For me, it feels like a path along my spiritual journey. One that I feel I would enjoy and learn more from taking alongside others.
4- Thanks for letting me come along!
1—
I’ve been sensing a need for more structure in what I do with my time, especially in my reading. At this time I’m drawn to the idea of studying a mystical text with a spiritual teacher in a group, over a relatively long period. And my fascination with the symbolism in the Tarot from an early age adds to the attraction. Before reading about the book in the lead-up to this course, I was entirely unfamiliar with Meditations on the Tarot as far as I can recall (which isn’t as far as it used to be, as I approach my 70th birthday!).2—
I’ve practiced various forms of meditation since my high school years. I began studying the teachings of Thomas Keating some 35 years ago. Around that time, I started to attend retreats, workshops, and prayer groups, and I started working with a spiritual director. That led to an affiliation with Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development, a local organization whose leaders were graduates of Shalem Institute’s programs. A few years ago I developed a format for my Episcopal Church parish incorporating silent prayer and lectio divina for a group that meets weekly. I have a prayer discipline that includes Centering Prayer, but it’s been a struggle lately as responsibility for elderly parents and other roles demand more of my time.3—
I really don’t have a specific goal for the course, except to follow where the Holy Spirit leads, to consent to the Spirit’s transforming work in my life, and to deepen my awareness of the movement of the Spirit around and within. I hope Meditations on the Tarot will help guide and support that journey.4—
I posted a question in the Community Discussion forum (with apologies if that’s not in accord with the intended use of that forum): What’s the correct pronunciation of the word “Tarot” (acknowledging that there are likely more than one)?1. I read Meditations on the Tarot over the course of a week in December (I realize now how unusual that is!). I was blown away by this book. I believe I was prompted by Spirit to do so, because it was totally unplanned. I’ve been re-reading parts of it since then, and really want to dive deeper in a group context. I am very much intrigued by Christian Hermeticism; I feel like the author’s approach resonated with me more than the other approaches to Hermeticism that I’ve read about. I admit I was attracted by the word “Tarot” in the title as I’ve read Tarot for myself for several years.
2. I am familiar with contemplative Christian practices, but it’s been a while since I’ve dedicated myself to them. I’m looking forward to breathing some life back into that part of my spiritual life.
3. As far as goals, I am really interested in strengthening my own devotional practice, engaging in the spiritual exercises described in the book, and achieving the synthesis that the author writes a lot about. There are different parts of my life that I’m trying to reconcile and I think MOTT articulates a powerful and compelling way of doing that. I’m also interested in connecting with people who have an appreciation for both Christian mysticism and tarot.
(Also, to answer Jack’s question, tarot is pronounced either “Tuh-ROW” or “TARE-row.” The t at the end is silent.
1. My curiosity, my searching for more, for deeper understanding of the mystics, my desire to broaden my awareness and self.
2. I have experience with Christian Meditation, Lectio Divina, the practice of gratitude as well as being in and with nature. These practices have helped to keep me grounded, centered within as well as discover that which I seek is already within……
3. To simply be open to the breath of Ruah……..
4. None at this time.
I decided to join the course because I really like the way Carl presented the information on the video and I like getting pdf’s with explanations, quotes and journal prompts.
My primary version of LD is to dialogue with the Tarot. CP is best for me when gazing at or being surrounded by nature.
My dream is literally to dream the Tarot! I think it would be really amazing to have the images show up in my dreams.
In the past I have underlined and annotated MOTT up to the Emperor but I it’s a mystery to me why I underlined what I did or wrote the notes on the margins! I wonder if the author meant for each of us to write a letter of the incarnation of The Fool?
I am a mentor staff member for the Haden Institute’s spiritual direction program (from which I graduated). Our January intensive had a session on the Tarot (which I avoided as a good catholic!) but I was really intrigued. I actually downloaded the book and enrolled very much because of that session. While I love (almost) all things contemplative and mystical, I feel I am on an emergent edge and looking for new learnings.
I am very familiar with centering prayer (although I use the WCCM’s version of Christian meditation) and section divine. Daily silent contemplation is an important part of my spiritual practice and keeps me (relatively sane.
No particular goal other than my usual quest for new knowledge and wisdom (Enneagram 5).
No particular questions right now….
1. What prompted me to take course? Familiarity of the book.
I enjoy the books written by Carl. I have been looking for something deeper and challenging and feel assured that the complexity f the material will be clearer with Carl and a group of thoughtful people. Book is new to me.2. Familiar with centering prayer, lectio divina etc.
Yes, I am familiar with the above. I continue to practice meditation, prayer and mindfulness. I am human and continue to return to center when my monkey mind takes over. At this stage of life I have relinquished control and perfectionism and enjoy the day as a human. I have immersed myself in Celtic Spirituality the past year. That is how I found Carl and this course.3. Particular goal. Dream.
No particular goal. Dream is that I remain steadfast in this deep dive.4. I always wonder how all things are interconnected and this journey will help me find that knowledge.
1. What inspired you to take this course? Were you familiar with Meditations on the Tarot prior to this course?
I’ve felt the pull of Christian mysticism for a good while now, which means exploring territory that is unfamiliar, even if the faith journey that I find myself on does not involve (yet) being part of a community or church-going. I only came across MOTT via an email from Carl. I read the first chapter last night and was blown away, so excited to be here.
2. Do you have experience with Centering Prayer, lectio divina, or other forms of contemplative spiritual practice? How have exercises like this been helpful or meaningful for you?
I practice Centering Prayer and go on regular retreats at a nearby ecumenical Retreat House. CP is slowly but surely transforming my life. I find I have reserves of patience I never knew existed. My spiritual foundations are built on AA’s 12-step programme and its understanding of emotional sobriety. This will always be a journey and not a destinmation so I see my practice as the vehicle for that.
3. Is there a particular goal or hope that you bring with you as you participate in this course? What dream do you have for participating in a course like this?
Not really. I just want to go deeper and learn from like-minided people.
4. Any questions or wonderments that are arising for you here at the beginning of the course?
No questions (yet!). There’s enough in the first letter to get me churning stuff. It normally takes me a while to process things but my heart connected with certain passages immediately so it’s only a matter of time before I begin to see how this book can help me on my journey, together with promptings and shared perspectives from this community.
1. What inspired you to take this course? Were you familiar with Meditations on the Tarot prior to this course?
I purchased Meditations on the Tarot about 4 years ago when Cynthia Bourgeault mentioned it in a lecture I was attending. I began reading it on and off over a period of two years without quite fully completing it. I came across a listing recommending this course by Mike Morrell and since I had read several of Carl’s books, this seemed a serendipitous time to take this course.
2. Do you have experience with Centering Prayer, lectio divina, or other forms of contemplative spiritual practice? How have exercises like this been helpful or meaningful for you?
I practice Centering Prayer daily (for about 8 years) and Lectio Divina regularly. I also use journaling as a daily practice and have a gratitude practice as well. These practices have opened/deepened/widened/centered/grounded me. I receive life differently and more easily release/empty what arises. It has allowed me to “trust in the slow work of God” and see from an enlarging perspective.
3. Is there a particular goal or hope that you bring with you as you participate in this course? What dream do you have for participating in a course like this?
I hope to find a community of openness, companions for the journey (at least for this time). I hope to be opened and challenged and deepened in reading and sharing about this book.
4. Any questions or wonderments that are arising for you here at the beginning of the course? If appropriate, please share on the Forum.
1. What inspired you to take this course? Were you familiar with Meditations on the Tarot prior to this course?
I have pursued Christian mystical writings for many years but had not heard about MOTT. I do follow Carl on social media and have read some of his works and when he introduced the course I dare say I was intrigued. I am all in for a deep dive…
2. Do you have experience with Centering Prayer, lectio divina, or other forms of contemplative spiritual practice? How have exercises like this been helpful or meaningful for you?
I have been doing Centering Prayer for 30 years, as well as lectio divina, the Divine Office and Mindfulness meditations daily. These exercises have been my lifeline and have helped me to remain centered and focused on what really matters in my life, the mystical journey…..
3. Is there a particular goal or hope that you bring with you as you participate in this course? What dream do you have for participating in a course like this?
My goal is to experience on a heart level, the thoughts and reflections of these meditations ,in order to organically assimilate on a holistic level( mind,body,spirit) the mystical realities of the spiritual journey. I look forward to walking this journey with all participating in this course.
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