The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Month: January 2026
THE SOUL OF THE APOSTOLATE: The Heresy of Action
The Devil can put into our minds that we must do work to be holy, and that the more I do, the holier I become. Take a moment to reflect on what is below. It is critical for a balanced approach to spiritual health.… Continue Reading “THE SOUL OF THE APOSTOLATE: The Heresy of Action”
A PRIVATE RETREAT FOR CATHOLICS, PROTESTANTS, JEWS, MUSLIMS, ATHEISTS, AGNOSTICS, POLITICIANS, PROCTOLOGISTS,OR NONE OF THE ABOVE.
Wait a month, then perform this next iteration of the Private Retreat. Week Two of the Private Retreat: Week One focused on the questions each human must ask and answer to expand their consciousness of the purpose of life. If you notice, each person… Continue Reading “A PRIVATE RETREAT FOR CATHOLICS, PROTESTANTS, JEWS, MUSLIMS, ATHEISTS, AGNOSTICS, POLITICIANS, PROCTOLOGISTS,OR NONE OF THE ABOVE.”
A PRIVATE RETREAT FOR CATHOLICS, PROTESTANTS, JEWS, MUSLIMS, ATHEISTS, AGNOSTICS, POLITICIANS, OR NONE OF THE ABOVE.
The context of this private retreat must be simplicity itself, requiring that we sit down in silence and solitude in that upper room of our inner self, and just wait. It is not for the faint of heart. Only those who seek to grow… Continue Reading “A PRIVATE RETREAT FOR CATHOLICS, PROTESTANTS, JEWS, MUSLIMS, ATHEISTS, AGNOSTICS, POLITICIANS, OR NONE OF THE ABOVE.”
MAGISTER NOSTER: How to set up a formation program to learn the contemplative charism of silence and solitude.
One of the most notable outcomes of my Lay Cistercian Way has been the realization that, although I am not a monk and am not remotely tied to learning about monastic formation, certain practices have developed through my Lectio Divina and the monthly meetings… Continue Reading “MAGISTER NOSTER: How to set up a formation program to learn the contemplative charism of silence and solitude.”
OUTSIDE THE CHURCH THERE IS NO SALVATION`
This statement sounds heartless and without mercy for those not Catholic Universal. Actually, its roots are deeply embedded in early history. I have copied the following quotes (source unattributed) so you could make up your own mind as to what it means. Notice the… Continue Reading “OUTSIDE THE CHURCH THERE IS NO SALVATION`”
DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD ON EARTH: HERE I STAND, I CAN DO NO OTHER.
I have sympathy for Father Martin Luther, founder of the Lutheran expression of loving Christ, and who nailed to the door of the Whittenburg Cathedral his ninety-five theses, which he wanted the Catholic Church to debate so they could reform. As a result of… Continue Reading “DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD ON EARTH: HERE I STAND, I CAN DO NO OTHER.”
SPIRITUAL APES: The struggle to be spiritual.
What follows below is an excerpt from my book, Spiritual Apes: The Struggle to be Spiritual. Ever wonder why being spiritual is such a chore? I did. The results of my thoughts are contained in the following reflections. If you want to go to… Continue Reading “SPIRITUAL APES: The struggle to be spiritual.”
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