This morning I came across this luminous insightful paragraph on page 132 of Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility: Many of us see emotions as naturally occurring. But emotions are political in two…
Category: Spirituality
The Science of Meditation (and the Relationship between Meditation and Trauma)
A few years back the Buddhist magazine Lion’s Roar published an interesting article surveying what insights we can glean from the scientific study of meditation. These insights concern questions such…
Check Out the New Podcast from Contemplative Outreach!
I am happy (and honored/humbled) to announce that I’ve recently appeared as a guest on the new podcast from Contemplative Outreach! Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is a new initiative from Contemplative…
The Mystical Imagination: Quotations for Reflection and Meditation
One of my favorite topics to explore when leading a retreat is “The Mystical Imagination.” I often pair it with Centering Prayer, exploring how the silence of Centering Prayer naturally…
Plowshare Prayer — and General Intercessions
Yesterday I was leading a class for Zeitgeist Atlanta and one of the participants shared an amazing song by a musician named Spencer Lajoye, called the “Plowshare Prayer.” It is…
The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom — But Love Casts Out Fear
N.B. This homily was written for the Community of Hope International at their annual retreat, during the Saturday evening Taizé service, October 8, 2022 at Camp Allen, Navasota, Texas. The…
Dying Alone (with the Angels)
I recently received the following heartbreaking message through my website. Normally this is the kind of message that I would answer with a private email, but the person who sent…
Join Carmen Acevedo Butcher for an Online Program Celebrating the Wisdom of Brother Lawrence
On June 16, 2022 my friend and colleague Carmen Acevedo Butcher PhD is offering a free online program to explore the wisdom of Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, author of The Practice…
The Wrath of God and Wishful Thinking (or, Julian of Norwich and Biblical Images of God)
Recently a reader of this blog wrote the following to me: I am just starting out on this journey and feel drawn to the mystical/contemplative side of Christianity.  To this…
Concerning Contemplative Charismatics and Ecumenical Priests (Answers to Reader Questions)
The same reader asked me both of the following questions, in two separate social media posts. but since they’re from the same person, I’m putting them together in this one…
After the Fire: Finding God in Silence and Stillness
Like so many English-speaking Christians, I grew up immersed in the words and rhythms of the King James Version of the Holy Bible. So much of the language and lyricism…
A Meditation on the Fruit of the Spirit (A Patreon Sneak Peek)
A note from Carl: Friends, I am currently writing a manuscript that I am calling Meditations on the Christian Mysteries. I’ve identified fifty-two key themes, wisdom teachings, and mystical principles…