The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: June 2018
ARE YOU ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION?
I asked God last week if I win the Lottery, I would donate 10% to the Church. God answered me back and said, “How about 50%” As soon as I said that to myself, I knew it was misguided. I was asking the wrong… Continue Reading “ARE YOU ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION?”
IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION, HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATBELT
One of the interesting things I have noticed about people who don’t believe in all this Jesus stuff, is their zeroing in on the Resurrection as the self delusions of early followers of Christ who were traumatized when he died and they thought He… Continue Reading “IF THERE IS NO RESURRECTION, HOLD ON TO YOUR SEATBELT”
LECTIO DIVINA: Actio
During the Middle Ages, a Carthusian Prior, Guibo II, (died in 1188) and is credited with writing down the four steps of Lectio Divina, It stressed four steps of a ladder to ascend to the ultimate goals of prayer, oneness with the One. St.… Continue Reading “LECTIO DIVINA: Actio”
SEVEN CISTERCIAN PRACTICES I DO EVERY DAY
When I made my Final Promises as a Lay Cistercian, my intention was to do certain practices every day, if I could. Not being sin-centered, e.g., if I did not do certain prayers and practices, then I would not be plagued by guilt, for… Continue Reading “SEVEN CISTERCIAN PRACTICES I DO EVERY DAY”
CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER AND CIVIL DISCOURSE
I was saddened this past week when I heard that Fox News Commentator and Syndicated Columnist, Charles Krauthammer had succumed to cancer. Life was certainly not kind to him, physically, but mentally, he was good for life, in particular as an commentator on the… Continue Reading “CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER AND CIVIL DISCOURSE”
HABIT: The Practice of Contemplative Practice
One of the unique behaviors that come from my practice of Lay Cistercian spirituality is quite unexpected and almost hidden from my consciousness, almost. I am more and more aware of the importance of habii in my prayer life. In my Lectio Divina (Phl… Continue Reading “HABIT: The Practice of Contemplative Practice”
ALWAYS LOOK DEEPER: Silence and Solitude
Both silence and solitude are distinguishing characteristics of anyone who wants to be a contemplative monk or nun. But if would be a mistake to take words on their face value and not see them in relation to the mission of a particular Order.… Continue Reading “ALWAYS LOOK DEEPER: Silence and Solitude”
LONGING: Do you do it?
In our last Lay Cistercian retreat in February, 2018, we had a commentary on one of the verses of the Psalms by Brother Cassian, O.C.S.O. which featured the word of “longing”. I remember being impressed with teasing out this one word that the Psalmist… Continue Reading “LONGING: Do you do it?”
TOP TEN FAVORITES: Songs
When I look at my closet, I have accumulated tons of clothes, 98% of which I will never wear again. Old age has not only made my skin wrinkle, but reduced my desire to “look good” to other by dressing up in suit and… Continue Reading “TOP TEN FAVORITES: Songs”
MY TOP TEN FAVORITES: Movies
MY TOP TEN FAVORITES: Movies What follows is what came from my Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5) meditations. I need to acknowledge Brother Michael, O.C.S.O. and Brother Cassian, O.C.S.O., monks both at the Monastery of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, Georgia, for expanding… Continue Reading “MY TOP TEN FAVORITES: Movies”
ANTHONY BOURDAIN AND SUICIDE
I read with some sadness that TV entertainer and food host Anthony Bourdain committed suicide last week. This is not a blog to condemn anyone who commits suicide, we commend them to the mercy of the Father, their ultimate judge of the heart. Mr.… Continue Reading “ANTHONY BOURDAIN AND SUICIDE”
WHAT IS YOUR CENTER?
Everything has a center. The world. The universe. The galaxy. God. Christ. You. Of all of those, the one most elusive is YOU. Your center is the sum of who you are, the North on your compass, that one thing that, if you took… Continue Reading “WHAT IS YOUR CENTER?”
SIX THINGS I HATE
I know I am not supposed to hate anything. I do not believe I hate anyone, but I do get profoundly annoyed at some things, some of which I try to avoid. My Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5) took me to a place where I… Continue Reading “SIX THINGS I HATE”
GOD’S TATTOO.
I’ll bet you would never guess that doing Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5) would lead to thinking about tattoos. God did it again. I find myself deep in the depths of my heart waiting for Jesus to pass by my park bench on a snowy… Continue Reading “GOD’S TATTOO.”
SEVEN CAVEATS FOR NOVICE CATHOLICS
Now that you have made your profession of faith as a Roman Catholic, received the Spirit of Adoption making you a son or daughter of the Father, and wrapped yourself in the warm blanket of the Faith of the Church Universal (those in Heaven,… Continue Reading “SEVEN CAVEATS FOR NOVICE CATHOLICS”
The Center for Contemplative Practice 
You must be logged in to post a comment.