The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: August 2019
READINGS IN CONTEMPLATIVE THOUGHT
In order to develop contemplative practice, you must practice contemplative thinking. One way I do that is by reading. If your reading on a daily or weekly basis is on topics that deepen your “capcitas dei” the capacity to grow in Christ, then reading… Continue Reading “READINGS IN CONTEMPLATIVE THOUGHT”
THE POLITICS OF HATRED
Do you remember the late Sen Ted Kennedy and Sen. Alan Simpson, (R-Wyoming) debate in the early 1990s? https://jfk.blogs.archives.gov/2018/09/24/facing-off-senator-ted-kennedy-debates-his-republican-colleagues/?subscribe=success#blog_subscription-5 Now, the era of civility in politics is out the door. Respect for the office of President is lacking among lawmakers. Oh, did you look… Continue Reading “THE POLITICS OF HATRED”
MAKE A CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT
Making a retreat is one of those events where there are a thousand reasons not to go but only one good one to go– to grow in the capacity to move from self to God. Movement is a sign you are alive. You can… Continue Reading “MAKE A CONTEMPLATIVE RETREAT”
JOIN THE SCHOOL OF LOVE
St. Benedict composes a Rule (d. 649 A.D.) to organize monks into forming a school for charity (love) in which they can move from the false self to the true self. What follows is an excerpt from my book on Learning How to Love.… Continue Reading “JOIN THE SCHOOL OF LOVE”
SLOW DOWN
The first time I attended the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours (4:00 a.m.) at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit (Trappist), Conyers, Georgia, I noticed that the monks were deliberate with their prayers and said them slowly. While trying to stay awake… Continue Reading “SLOW DOWN”
LUMEN GENTIUM: The Mystery of the Church
There is no more challenging sign of contradiction of our Faith than that of the Church. At once, holy and sinful, one yet diverse, catholic yet individual, and apostolic and current in each age. The Ecumenical Council of Vatican II produced a profound statement… Continue Reading “LUMEN GENTIUM: The Mystery of the Church”
ALL IN
There was a casino scene in a James Bond Film, Casino Royale, where the suave and debonaire Mr. Bond plays against the bad guys. The thing I remember about it is that players can make various degrees of wagering. One in particular that has… Continue Reading “ALL IN”
YOU HAVE NO IDEA
Once, there was a highly educated and refined woman, who wanted to become more spiritual. She began attending Eucharist almost every day. She was very happy when attending the meetings with those who also shared her Faith. The opportunity presented itself to attend a… Continue Reading “YOU HAVE NO IDEA”
DO WHAT YOU SAY
Maybe you have read my blog on Mean What You Say (maybe not). Meaning what you say is about aligning your mind with the words you say. Doing what you say is about aligning your heart with your activity. Christ is always urging his… Continue Reading “DO WHAT YOU SAY”
MEAN WHAT YOU SAY
In one of my Lectio Divina meditations (Philippians 2:5), I chanced to think about why I have so much difficulty in concentrating when I pray. It does not happen always, but when it does, it is irritating and distracting. It takes an act of… Continue Reading “MEAN WHAT YOU SAY”
ARE YOU LISTLESS?
If you read this title you might be fooled by the actual purpose of this blog. Listless means being lifeless and without enthusiasm. It reminds me of those who seem to decry the state of imperfection in the World or the Church (or both)… Continue Reading “ARE YOU LISTLESS?”
THE DIDACHE
This blog has taken the liberty of copying the whole of the text of the Didache from http://www.NewAdvent.com because of its significance. There is no commentary following it. Read and ponder. New Advent is an excellent source for looking up readings from the early… Continue Reading “THE DIDACHE”
TEMPTATION AND FALLING AWAY FROM THE FAITH
This is an excerpt from my latest book, WE ARE DEFINED BY OUR CHOICES: A Lay Cistercian reflects on Temptation, Truth, Reason, and Free Choice and why people fall away from the Church. (out August 2, 2019) which are my reflections on the phenomenon… Continue Reading “TEMPTATION AND FALLING AWAY FROM THE FAITH”
WHAT LAS VEGAS HAS TO SAY ABOUT MY FAITH
If you haven’t done so already, then you know I must have flipped out or had too much to drink (I only drink holy water which makes the plastic flowers grow). I only say that because where my Lectio Divina (Phil 2:5) led me… Continue Reading “WHAT LAS VEGAS HAS TO SAY ABOUT MY FAITH”
THE END
According to Ecclesiastes, there is a time for everything under Heaven. A time to be born, a time to live, a time to discover and implement your purpose in life, a time to discover what reality looks like, a time to wonder about how… Continue Reading “THE END”
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