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Hello everyone! It is wonderful to read all of these introductions and hear echoes of my own story in all of yours. I am delighted to be among this group of seekers.
My name is George, and I live with my partner and our beloved dog on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, where I work in financial communications. I am a weekly church-going Episcopalian, but I wear the theology incredibly lightly (too lightly?!). I love the ritual and music of the Episcopal Church. I have been very heavily influenced by Buddhist philosophy and mindfulness practice, as well as by 12 Step “higher power” spirituality, which focuses heavily on gratitude and humility. The combinations makes for an expansive and sometimes messy spiritual practice, but that doesn’t bother me at all. (I’m pretty sure it doesn’t bother God, either!)
I was drawn to this course because I have been hungering to find examples of spirituality within the Christian tradition that sound/feel more like my own — a bit less “by the book” and a bit more experiential.
George, welcome! I’ll be in your neck of the woods (at Holy Cross Monastery up the Hudson River) in July. It’s one of my favorite places, so I’m really looking forward to getting up there this summer.
I think wearing theology lightly makes all sorts of sense. ? And yes, I think God is just fine with that…
MOTT is definitely deeply contemplative and mystical: experiential, as you say. It also has some blind spots, probably mostly due to how old it is. I think it will make for some interesting conversations as we all explore it together.
Pleasure to be connected with you, Carl. Holy Cross — nice! I still haven’t made it there, but friends tell me great things. I had a wonderful retreat a few years back at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, MA. I know that you are connected to the Trappists down in your area.
Yes, my monastic affiliation is with Holy Spirit Abbey in Conyers, GA. I’ve only been to Spencer once, but what a beautiful place! And the mothership for Centering Prayer.
You should definitely visit Holy Cross! A beautiful place, wonderful settings and great guys. I’m leading a retreat on the Desert Mothers and Fathers there July 8-10, in case that weekend is free for you!
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