The Center for contemplative practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: December 2022
NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTIONS
I have one focus this year, to “have in me the mind of Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 2:5), which allows me to be in the presence of Christ and sit in the stillness of my heart and wait. TEN THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE… Continue Reading “NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTIONS”
THE INCARNATION EVENT: THREE STRINGS THAT SHEPHERD NATURE TOWARDS IT DESTINY
III. THE CORRUPTIBILITY OF CHOICE AND MARTYRDOM OF THE ORDINARY— The effects of Original Sin on three defining behaviors of human nature: sexual urges, the urges of control, and the urges of power. The wages of sin. I hypothesize that there is only one… Continue Reading “THE INCARNATION EVENT: THREE STRINGS THAT SHEPHERD NATURE TOWARDS IT DESTINY”
WAITING ON THE CUSP OF CHRISTMAS
Here are some thoughts from Sirach to light the tree of your life. Responsibilities to Parents* 1Children, listen to me, your father; act accordingly, that you may be safe. 2For the Lord sets a father in honor over his children and confirms a mother’s… Continue Reading “WAITING ON THE CUSP OF CHRISTMAS”
FRAGMENTS FROM MY LECTIO DIVINA: Did you know this about Mary?
Here are some fragmented thoughts about Mary that I would like to share. Praise be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and forever. The God who is, who was, and who is to come at the end… Continue Reading “FRAGMENTS FROM MY LECTIO DIVINA: Did you know this about Mary?”
CUSTOS OCULI: The windows to the kingdom of heaven
I can remember watching the monks at St. Meinrad while they filed in for Conventional Mass on Sunday. They had eyes down in the process in and out of the Archabbey Church and also during the Eucharist. I asked my classmate, also a monk,… Continue Reading “CUSTOS OCULI: The windows to the kingdom of heaven”
THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: THE KEY TO UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FULLY WHAT OUR NATURE INTENDED.
The problem with trying to solve any equation is knowing the formula. Granted that the Divine Equation’s six postulates have been answered correctly, there is still one thing left to do. You must use the correct key, the only one that fits into this… Continue Reading “THE CHRIST PRINCIPLE: THE KEY TO UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FULLY WHAT OUR NATURE INTENDED.”
MY ASSUMPTIONS AS A LAY CISTERCIAN AS I COMMENT ABOUT SPIRITUAL REALITY
Assumptions are like icebergs; what you see, hear, taste, touch, and feel and thus know about the reality around you at any moment always has something deeper involved; in this case, my assumptions that you cannot see unless I share them. Assumptions are like… Continue Reading “MY ASSUMPTIONS AS A LAY CISTERCIAN AS I COMMENT ABOUT SPIRITUAL REALITY”
AN ADVENT REFLECTION: LISTEN TO THE BEAUTY OF LANGUAGE
Here are some of my favorite readings by Tom O’Bedlam. uiodg
NEW SKINS: Three templates I use for Lectio Divina focus.
On my way to achieving Lectio Divina, I begin with Philippians 2:5 (Have in you the mind of Christ Jesus.) Then, I go to meditation. I have to have templates to help me focus on The Christ Principle now and then. I share with… Continue Reading “NEW SKINS: Three templates I use for Lectio Divina focus.”
CONVERSIO MORAE: It’s complicated!
There are two aspects to my Lay Cistercian life on which I intend to focus until I die. They are: I have assimilated these concepts into my system of contemplative practices to help me approach The Christ Principle in humility and obedience to what… Continue Reading “CONVERSIO MORAE: It’s complicated!”
NEW SKINS: The Incongruity of The Divine Equation
I remember seeing a video of how snakes shed their skins.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmqwcb1fh_0 One of the signs of vitality for humans is making all things new. Animals do it when they shed their skins. Soft shell crabs molt, as do many other creatures, one of which… Continue Reading “NEW SKINS: The Incongruity of The Divine Equation”
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