The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: August 2021
IT DOESN’T MATTER!
In my search for God each day, I do a lot of “What Iffing.” I should refine that statement to say, “In my search for God each day, when I use only the world as my center (money, fame, fortune, adulation, pleasure, being god,… Continue Reading “IT DOESN’T MATTER!”
ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION
Here are some fractured thoughts that I had while trying to reposition my thoughts to that of having in me the mind of Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5). Too many times, I find I ask questions that are either the opposite of what exists or… Continue Reading “ASKING THE WRONG QUESTION”
PILGRIMAGE TO THE HEART OF CHRIST
We all have taken a trip somewhere, even if it is just to go to Trader Joe’s and buy some delicious root beer drink. Not all trips or vacations are pilgrimages. Muslims celebrate their faith in pilgrimage by visiting Mecca. Catholics pilgrimage to the… Continue Reading “PILGRIMAGE TO THE HEART OF CHRIST”
the best contemplative streaming and youtube sites for 2021
I recently read a list of “Best Of” restaurants. That list prompted me to think back to the URLs that are sites I can’t live without (actually, the only thing I can’t live without is Jesus). I offer them with comments and in no… Continue Reading “the best contemplative streaming and youtube sites for 2021”
WHAT IS HELL LIKE, RIGHT NOW?
Hell is not the opposite of Heaven, but rather the absence of it. If that is so, and the kingdom of heaven is right now for us to absorb into our human nature, then would it not be true that hell is also right… Continue Reading “WHAT IS HELL LIKE, RIGHT NOW?”
the assumption of mary
Normally, I would give you some thoughts about a subject from my Lectio Divina. No one has ever accused me of being normal, so I will just share with you the magnificent homily from Bishop Barron on Mary. How biblical. These insights have caused… Continue Reading “the assumption of mary”
WHEN LOVE HURTS
As I wabble down the ever shorter path to my next portal in life, passing from life to death, I become more aware of how the Scriptures are pertinent to who I am now and how the words of Scripture feel as well say… Continue Reading “WHEN LOVE HURTS”
DO YOU STAND BEFORE THE MIRROR OF ERISED?
When beginning to practice meditation before moving to the deeper reality of contemplation, there are some dangers along the way. My latest Lectio Divina Meditation (Philippians 2:5) led me to an unlikely YouTube scene of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The scene has… Continue Reading “DO YOU STAND BEFORE THE MIRROR OF ERISED?”
The Center for Contemplative Practice 