The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Tag: contemplation
THE TWELVE PORTALS OF MY NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH, THE NEW JERUSALEM.
MY NEW JERUSALEM AND MY NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH. I havecome to believe that Jesus is Lord, the Messiah, and that I must convert my inner self from false values to those which allow me to sustain myself as I continue to probe the depths… Continue Reading “THE TWELVE PORTALS OF MY NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH, THE NEW JERUSALEM.”
ANTHROPOMORPHIC REPRESENTATION: What does God look like?
I read this article from USCCB about what humans create about God to be able to grasp what is beyond the capability or capacity to comprehend with human intelligence. If you notice, and I am not sure I even notice, I don’t synthesize or… Continue Reading “ANTHROPOMORPHIC REPRESENTATION: What does God look like?”
INTELLIGENT PROGRESSION III: Peering deeper into the mist of the human condition
My mind is a computer of unimaginable complexity and wonder. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), my capabilities and capacities have increased, but only because I create my World from those assumptions and trials and errors that my reason tells me are good… Continue Reading “INTELLIGENT PROGRESSION III: Peering deeper into the mist of the human condition”
DOCTOR MELLIFLUUS
Two resources for you that I find helpful. First, here is the site where all the Vatican written materials are stored. Doctor Mellifluuus is one such document about Saint Bernard of Clairvaux. Also, check out each of the Ecumenical Councils at the top of… Continue Reading “DOCTOR MELLIFLUUS”
LECTIO DIVINA: inching to forever
I can’t believe what Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) has done for me over the past ten years. I have not had a miraculous revelation during anything, nor a flash of lightning (like St. Paul), but, reflecting back on where I was, in terms of… Continue Reading “LECTIO DIVINA: inching to forever”
MUSIC TO LISTEN TO WHEN SITTING ON A PARK BENCH IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER LONGING FOR CHRIST
I love music that elevates and transforms me from self to God. All music does not do that for me. I share what I have found that inspires my contemplative soul. Agnus Dei by Samuel Barber. One such piece is Samuel Barber’s Adagio for… Continue Reading “MUSIC TO LISTEN TO WHEN SITTING ON A PARK BENCH IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER LONGING FOR CHRIST”
YOU CAN’t BE CONTEMPLATIVE IN YOUR SPIRITUALITY BY YOURSELF
The Gathering of Lay Cistercians of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery.
HATERS ANONYMOUS
Almost everyone has heard of Alcoholics Anonymous and the 12 Step Plan. I thought about what is going on in our country now and how all of us could use the 12 Step Plan that Christ gave us to quell the hatred of others… Continue Reading “HATERS ANONYMOUS”
wonder-filled resources that fill up the emptiness of my heart while i age in place.
I use these resources nearly every week to help me fill in the big holes in my life due to COVID-19 and the hatred our culture seems to have for one another. Using the analogy of a room, each of us has a room… Continue Reading “wonder-filled resources that fill up the emptiness of my heart while i age in place.”
HOW GOD SPEAKS TO ALL OF US.
How does God speak with us? In the Old Testament, the Prophets gave us insights into what God wants of us. In the New Testament, Jesus gives us how to love others by doing what he does for us. The Holy Spirit speaks directly… Continue Reading “HOW GOD SPEAKS TO ALL OF US.”
SLOW DOWN! lISTEN TO YOUR HEART
I use photos to help in my focus and concentration as I do Lectio (Philippians 2:5.) meditation, prayer and, hopefully, contemplation. This photo has significance for me because it comes close to describing what I think contemplation might be. Contemplation is sitting on a… Continue Reading “SLOW DOWN! lISTEN TO YOUR HEART”
STRENGTH TRAINING FOR BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST
One of the ways to approach the Sacred is to follow a daily routine. Some people call it a habit. Here is a challenge. Try to do these practices for 30 days, then sit down and think about it. If you are unable to… Continue Reading “STRENGTH TRAINING FOR BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST”
THE MYSTERIOUS WHY QUESTION
Humans differ from other species because we have reason (some more than others) and the ability to choose good or evil (no one chooses what they think is bad for them). The problem comes when humans think something is good for them but don’t… Continue Reading “THE MYSTERIOUS WHY QUESTION”
LECTIO DIVINA: ENHANCEMENTS
During my Lectio Divina, I sometimes use enhancements to my lectio, meditatio, oratio, and contemplatio. I don’t know what else to call them. Some people use a mood to create an ambiance that will provide them with the best way to use their silence… Continue Reading “LECTIO DIVINA: ENHANCEMENTS”
THE TRINITY: ARCHETYPE FOR FOREVER
When was the last time you consciously thought about the Trinity? For me, it was at 2:40 AM this morning, when I got up to use the bathroom. Usually, when I try to go back to sleep, I do a mini-Lectio Divina in order… Continue Reading “THE TRINITY: ARCHETYPE FOR FOREVER”
THE ART OF SPIRITUALITY
THE ART OF SPIRITUALITY I have excerpted some ideas about the great Mysterium Fidei, the Mystery of Faith, from my most recent book entitled, YOU JUST MADE YOUR PROFESSION AS A CATHOLIC, NOW WHAT? A Lay Cistercian reflects on ten exercises you need to sustain Christ… Continue Reading “THE ART OF SPIRITUALITY”
My life as a poem.
What follows is a poem about my life. It is, as yet, unfinished, but the elements are all present. My Life As A Poem I sing the song of life and love… …sometimes flat and out of tune …sometimes eloquent and full of… Continue Reading “My life as a poem.”
Carving out solitude for Contemplation
The big problem with contemplation for those living in the world is the static that comes from being bombarded with all kinds of interests and projects competing for our time. Face it. There will never be a good time for contemplation (unless you carve… Continue Reading “Carving out solitude for Contemplation”
HOW DIET REMINDS ME OF CONTEMPLATION
Although I try mightily, I am constantly tempted to stop any attempts at contemplation. This is like a runner who must find a mental challenge, as well as the physical one of running the distance. In one of my Lectio Divina meditations, I found… Continue Reading “HOW DIET REMINDS ME OF CONTEMPLATION”
The Center for Contemplative Practice 