The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: September 2024
TEN PRINCIPLES THAT ARE CORE TO HOW I VIEW POLITICAL AND LAY CISTERCIAN CHOICE.
In trying to decide which ideology best suits my way of viewing reality, Democratic, Republican, or Independent parties, the notion of my Catholicism comes wafting through the murky party platforms offered to me by existing political parties. For example, I take the bulk of… Continue Reading “TEN PRINCIPLES THAT ARE CORE TO HOW I VIEW POLITICAL AND LAY CISTERCIAN CHOICE.”
I AM THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD THAT I KNOW.
Before you rush to judgment by thinking that I am some form of spiritual Sado-Masochist, let me assure you I am only referring to myself. The harsh statement that seems to be so self-deprecating is, in fact, the result of asking the Holy Spirit… Continue Reading “I AM THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD THAT I KNOW.”
CORE PRACTICES TO BUTTRESS MY CENTER FROM CUMBLING.
The problem with conversio morae (moving forward from old wineskins to new ones) is that it takes work. Some think that Baptism gives you a free pass to Heaven with Christ’s sacrifice on the cross guaranteeing salvation. This approach, while part of me wishes… Continue Reading “CORE PRACTICES TO BUTTRESS MY CENTER FROM CUMBLING.”
A MOSAIC PIECE OF MY LIFE: My lifelong hunt for heavenly gold. Filiments to forever.
Having examined how I view reality (which may or may not be the way you see things), I have almost by chance discovered the door of my life, which contains six locks. Very late in life, when I first romanced the notion of Lectio… Continue Reading “A MOSAIC PIECE OF MY LIFE: My lifelong hunt for heavenly gold. Filiments to forever.”
A LAY CISTERCIAN IS ALL ABOUT DAILY PRACTICE AND NEVER LOSING HOPE THAT I CAN START ALL OVER AGAIN.
Like the practice of medicine, spirituality is all about profound silence, solitude, work, and prayer in the context of a larger community of believers. As of this past three years, I have abandoned my human goal of meeting performance criteria and milestones, such as… Continue Reading “A LAY CISTERCIAN IS ALL ABOUT DAILY PRACTICE AND NEVER LOSING HOPE THAT I CAN START ALL OVER AGAIN.”
THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH: My New Catholic Church made in my image and likeness. Three processes I use to build a new reality.
It is one thing to be a Catholic Anarchist and wipe clean all notions of those beliefs that irritate me and those that I find personally objectionable, but quite another to restore my landscape with something better. My image and likeness, what I am… Continue Reading “THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH: My New Catholic Church made in my image and likeness. Three processes I use to build a new reality.”
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