The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Tag: Jesus
DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD: THE CHOICE OF GOOD OR EVIL.
This fourth penetration into the depths of the Mystery of Faith does not come without digging and work. At the heart of the Genesis Principle, the first of three Principles, yet one reality, is the most fundamental of human characteristics: What is good and… Continue Reading “DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD: THE CHOICE OF GOOD OR EVIL.”
DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD: THE PRESENCE OF ENERGY IN THREE UNIVERSES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR MY CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Just when I think I have done something good with my human reasoning by constantly digging ever deeper and deeper into the three constants in my previous blog, I had another one of those moments, when I place myself in the presence of Christ… Continue Reading “DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD: THE PRESENCE OF ENERGY IN THREE UNIVERSES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR MY CATHOLIC CHURCH.”
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.”
TRENDS AND TRANSFORMATIONS OF THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH OF CHRIST
Because the Church Universal is not a building but the living Body of Christ, whose scope is those in Heaven enjoying the Beatific Vision. Those on earth must convert their lives daily (conversio morae) so that Jesus might increase and they decrease (capacitas dei).… Continue Reading “TRENDS AND TRANSFORMATIONS OF THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH OF CHRIST”
DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD ON EARTH: THE THREE LONGINGS OF THE HUMAN HEART
I have noticed that my penchant for digging, bordering on an obsession, has not waned with age, unlike many of my New Year’s Resolutions. Like those early settlers of the West who were seduced by gold fever, I packed up everything and began the… Continue Reading “DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD ON EARTH: THE THREE LONGINGS OF THE HUMAN HEART”
DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD ON EARTH: REALIZING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN AT THE NEXT LEVEL OF OUR EVOLUTION.
WARNING: This blog is long and requires reading once or twice to dig out its gold. Don’t blame me, I only type it. Erich Fromm, an existential psychologist and author of The Art of Loving, is one of the great influencers in how I view… Continue Reading “DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY GOLD ON EARTH: REALIZING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE HUMAN AT THE NEXT LEVEL OF OUR EVOLUTION.”
MY NEW APPROACH TO AN OLD WAY TO PLACE MYSELF IN THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST, AND WAIT.
One of the phenomena of urban life in big cities is that they simply run out of room. No space anywhere. The only solution is to tear down the old and replace it with multi-storey buildings. That got me thinking about my situation at… Continue Reading “MY NEW APPROACH TO AN OLD WAY TO PLACE MYSELF IN THE PRESENCE OF CHRIST, AND WAIT.”
RETIREMENT: Learning how to make all things new again.
In one of my more memorable Lectio Divina sessions (Phil 2:5), my thoughts went to Jesus having to begin the human race’s relationship with the Father once more. His mission was to give glory to the Father by the Son through the Holy Spirit.… Continue Reading “RETIREMENT: Learning how to make all things new again.”
THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY AND MY CATHOLIC FAITH
https://www.catholic.com/qa/what-is-subsidiarity The Principle of Subsidiarity, as applied to My Catholicism, says that the most effective use of religion, the Christ Principle, happens at the lowest level possible (me, you, the parish, Lay Cistercians, etc.) I know this is true because, whenever I see a… Continue Reading “THE PRINCIPLE OF SUBSIDIARITY AND MY CATHOLIC FAITH”
THE ENERGY FROM GOD: THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH IS APOSTOLIC.
This is the fourth in an in-depth look at what I consider to be often overlooked and underutilized helps that I can use to anchor myself in the presence of Christ and wait. I say that because when I am aligned with the way,… Continue Reading “THE ENERGY FROM GOD: THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH IS APOSTOLIC.”
TEILHARD DE CHARDIN HELPED GROUND ME IN THE CHANGE OF COMPLEXITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS
I use the work and ideas of Teilhard de Chardin so much in my approach to Lay Cistercian spirituality that I thought it would be a good idea to give you some ideas about the source of my inspiration. I am no expert on… Continue Reading “TEILHARD DE CHARDIN HELPED GROUND ME IN THE CHANGE OF COMPLEXITY AND CONSCIOUSNESS”
SPIRITUAL ENTANGLEMENTS FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH (and beyond)
WHAT REALITY LOOKS LIKE USING EVERYTHING I HAVE LEARNED UP TO THIS POINT As I keep stressing over and over, my Catholic Faith depends not on my adhering to a set of rules, as if doing the activities themselves (ala good works for its… Continue Reading “SPIRITUAL ENTANGLEMENTS FROM HEAVEN TO EARTH (and beyond)”
THE ENERGY FROM GOD: THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH IS CATHOLIC.
THE MEANINGS OF CATHOLIC AS A MARK OF THE CHURCH One thing to remember about quantum energy is that it comes from God through Christ. It is empowered trough the Holy Spirit, passed on in each generation of the Baptized to the various communities… Continue Reading “THE ENERGY FROM GOD: THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH IS CATHOLIC.”
A TALE OF SECOND CHANCES
I came across this question while strolling through the website called Quora. Quora.https://wisdomdiaries.quora.com/In-what-ways-has-our-increased-technological-knowledge-changed-our-image-of-God What follows is my response to that question. God has no image, which is the problem for humans who rely solely on matter as the only way through which we look… Continue Reading “A TALE OF SECOND CHANCES”
HOW MOMS AND DADS CAN ENGAGE THEIR CHILDREN AND RELATIVES IN GROWING DEEPER IN CHRIST JESUS.
In thinking about this topic, as I always do when trying to grow deeper in my humanity using my Faith informed by reason and free choice, I must begin with myself and share what I am doing now or did in the past. I… Continue Reading “HOW MOMS AND DADS CAN ENGAGE THEIR CHILDREN AND RELATIVES IN GROWING DEEPER IN CHRIST JESUS.”
QUANTUM CATHOLICISM: Five stories of My Catholic Church and the four quantum threads of energy that directly link God with me.
I attempt to provide a theoretical and conceptual, rather than scientific, view of what I believe reality is and how my Catholic Faith uniquely prepares me to be in the presence of Christ. For me, this is what Church looks like at my stage… Continue Reading “QUANTUM CATHOLICISM: Five stories of My Catholic Church and the four quantum threads of energy that directly link God with me.”
THE ENERGY FROM GOD: THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH IS ONE.
To long to be present to Christ in the upper room of my inner self (Matthew 6:5) is to have anticipation of just being in the presence of the one you love, and waiting. To accompany me at all times in that highest form… Continue Reading “THE ENERGY FROM GOD: THE AUTHENTIC CHURCH IS ONE.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF BOUNDARIES FOR ALL HUMANS
My hope is to explore the notion of boundaries or parameters about how I view communicating with God. My thinking, as of right now, is to use the Teilhard map (unattributed) against which I show that the notion of boundaries is an integral part… Continue Reading “THE IMPORTANCE OF BOUNDARIES FOR ALL HUMANS”
WHAT GOD DOES OR DOES NOT LOOK LIKE AT 84.11.
This might seem to be underwhelming or redundant when talking about who God is NOT. I have a few ideas, gleaned from decades of trying to discover who God is when what I should have been doing is to discover who I am, and,… Continue Reading “WHAT GOD DOES OR DOES NOT LOOK LIKE AT 84.11.”
WHAT GOD DOES OR DOES NOT LOOK LIKE AT 84.11.
Don’t get me wrong, my understanding of who God is or is not depends entirely on me. If I am like a big sponge (like those from Tarpon Springs, Florida), then I have filtered many lessons through my cells and learned many valuable lessons,… Continue Reading “WHAT GOD DOES OR DOES NOT LOOK LIKE AT 84.11.”
HOW I MADE NEW WINESKINS USING QUANTUM ECCLISIOLOGY
A bed in the rehab section of a local nursing home (adult care) is an unlikely place to do my Lectio Divina. Still, there I was, pen in hand, belting out a deeper meaning for the four marks of the Church (one, holy, catholic,… Continue Reading “HOW I MADE NEW WINESKINS USING QUANTUM ECCLISIOLOGY”
TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (10 of 10)
Each moment, I must consciously place myself in the presence of Jesus through Cistercian practices and charism. Most often, I fail, but I rise up only to try again and again. That process is mine. The energy I use to move to a deeper… Continue Reading “TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (10 of 10) “
TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (9 of 10)
Sometimes, I confess, I hate this about other humans. Notice, I did not say that I hate people. The behavior of each one of us comes from the assumptions and priorities we assume as meaningful. I doubt that anyone does anything that they think… Continue Reading “TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (9 of 10) “
TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (8 of 10)
Brother Michael Lauteri, O.C.S.O., our Junior Lay Cistercian Moderator at Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery (Trappist), taught us many valuable lessons about the contemplative way of life. In particular, I recall him saying, ‘Pray as you can.’ PRAY AS YOU CAN, NOT… Continue Reading “TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (8 of 10) “
TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (6 of 10)
The Catholic Church is not for everyone. Here are some reasons you don’t want to become a Catholic. Find another system of belief. The Catholic Church asks you to abandon all for Christ. uiodg
TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (5 of 10)
The language of God is silence; the language of contemplative practice (Trappist) is silence, solitude, work, prayer, and community. My energy for the silence I need to wait for God to respond comes from God. I must learn to speak God’s language (not any… Continue Reading “TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (5 of 10) “
TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (4 of 10)
My Catholic Faith is a way of life that stresses my constant need to be vigilant in the face of the false promises of fulfillment. From the time of my Baptism (September 29, 1940) at the Old Cathedral in Vincennes, Indiana, God accepted me… Continue Reading “TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (4 of 10)”
TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (3 of 10)
A “Catholic” way to look at reality is the template Jesus left those of us between the Ascension (Pentecost) up to, and including me and you as individuals. I am flabbergasted to think that all of this creation, all the complexity and consciousness, exists… Continue Reading “TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (3 of 10)”
GOD GIVES US BOUNDARIES TO OUR HUMAN BEHAVIOR: Confronting the noise of original sin.
The subject of the existence of God has always intrigued me. Scientific inquiry demands proof that it exists. My own thinking is that God exists, and it is up to me to use the tools Christ gave me to listen with “the ear of… Continue Reading “GOD GIVES US BOUNDARIES TO OUR HUMAN BEHAVIOR: Confronting the noise of original sin.”
A COMMENTARY ON A PITHY SAYING
For those following my disjointed ruminations about my results from practicing Lectio Divina each day, I offer the following advice. I never know what comes from being in the presence of Jesus and asking the Holy Spirit to overshadow me with whatever. I can… Continue Reading “A COMMENTARY ON A PITHY SAYING”
THE PENITENTIAL LAY CISTERCIAN
One of the challenges of getting older is replacing work or routine with another one, a contemplative one, in my case. I have taken upon myself the spiritual practices of what I have made for myself as it relates to reparation for my past… Continue Reading “THE PENITENTIAL LAY CISTERCIAN”
THE HORSE’S MOUTH
There is so much fake news, false news, no news, opinions instead of facts, downright deception when using the Internet, that I keep reminding myself that anything is subject to others making a false viewpoint and selling it as the truth. Here are some… Continue Reading “THE HORSE’S MOUTH”
TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (2 of 10)
The map above is the unattributed view of the makeup of all reality by Teilhard de Chardin. His overview is paramount in any discussion of contemplative practices. By beginning with his meta overview of reality and how contemlative practice has allowed me to begin… Continue Reading “TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE (2 of 10)”
TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE
I admit it. I am a reformed Catholic of the Roman Rite who, over ten years ago, wanted to grow deeper in my spirituality, inherited and, I might add, taken for granted for most of my lifetime. It’s like being on an iceberg and… Continue Reading “TEN OBSERVATIONS ABOUT CATHOLICISM FOR THOSE NEW TO CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICE”
ORIGINAL SIN: TWO WAYS TO OPEN HEAVEN’S GATE.
I have discovered two ways to peer through a glass darkly and attempt to reach a deeper level of my humanity, and thus, my spirituality. Scriptures tell us that, “The kingdom of heaven is within you.” (Luke 17:21) If this is true, then Hell… Continue Reading “ORIGINAL SIN: TWO WAYS TO OPEN HEAVEN’S GATE.”
A LAY CISTERCIAN’S LIFE OF REPENTANCE AND REPARATION
Before I attempt to lay out my latest project, read this: https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/message-from-our-lady–akita-japan-5167 This concept of repentance for the sins of others, and mostly my own, is my new challenge until I die. Repentance for sin is about making up for those sins that have… Continue Reading “A LAY CISTERCIAN’S LIFE OF REPENTANCE AND REPARATION”
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`”
NOTES ON HOW I MUST ABANDON MYSELF TO MOVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF MY HUMANITY
Father,I abandon myself into your hands;Do with me what you will.Whatever you may do, I thank you:I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me,and in all your creatures –I wish no more than this, O Lord.… Continue Reading “NOTES ON HOW I MUST ABANDON MYSELF TO MOVE TO THE NEXT LEVEL OF MY HUMANITY”
GOD AS “ONE WHO CAN SET THE ULTIMATE BOUNDARY .”
As I sat on my couch in the upper room of my inner self, trying to slough off those tendencies to control the boundaries of who I think God is, and ultimately who I am, the concept of boundaries crept into my consciousness. That… Continue Reading “GOD AS “ONE WHO CAN SET THE ULTIMATE BOUNDARY .””
MAKING NEW WINESKINS: Waiting for Christ without conditions
It is an annoyance to my prayer each day that I must cleanse my way of meditation to prepare myself to meet Christ. Why can’t I just cut to it and move directly, without reservation, to contemplation? I set all kinds of conditions when… Continue Reading “MAKING NEW WINESKINS: Waiting for Christ without conditions”
SKILLS I WISH I HAD WHEN I WAS A YOUNG CATHOLIC
I have been blessed to have been a Catholic (Roman Rite) since I can remember, but I am not the same Catholic I was way back then (1940). I use the analogy of new wine being placed in new skins and not old ones… Continue Reading “SKILLS I WISH I HAD WHEN I WAS A YOUNG CATHOLIC”
THE BOUNDARIES OF MY HUMANITY: God tells us THE WAY.
In the up and down experience of this life (so far), four overarching themes pop out at me, some of which I have commented about in past blogs. But some are still challenges to my thinking. These giant swaths of meaning are like huge,… Continue Reading “THE BOUNDARIES OF MY HUMANITY: God tells us THE WAY.”
CAPACITAS DEI: My growth in awareness of what it means to be human at my deepest level.
Catholicism, for me, is not something I fit into or must conform my behaviors to, as much as a marvelous set of tools and hints coming down from age to age from Christ as interpreted by those choosing to wear the sign of the… Continue Reading “CAPACITAS DEI: My growth in awareness of what it means to be human at my deepest level.”
ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING CONSISTENT AND CONSTANT WHILE SILENT IN PRAYER
I am surprised that some unexpected and unintended products keep cropping up as I get older and simply resign myself to letting go (abandonment) and waiting to hear what Christ has to say to me today, right now. To reach this stage of spirituality,… Continue Reading “ON THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING CONSISTENT AND CONSTANT WHILE SILENT IN PRAYER”
THE GRAND WATCH: Waiting for Christ in the silence of my heart.
I have been exposed to many ideologies and “isms” throughout my lifetime. Some, or even bits, of information I have elected to keep as part of the solution of what it means to be human at the deepest level of my awareness, the amalgam… Continue Reading “THE GRAND WATCH: Waiting for Christ in the silence of my heart.”
MY NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION (Adapted from my webpage menu)
Lay Cistercian Practices and Charisms I met a man with a very similar appearance and temperament who kept trying to pray as much as possible to become more like Christ and less like himself. The more he prays, he thought, the holier he would become.… Continue Reading “MY NEW YEAR’S REVOLUTION (Adapted from my webpage menu)”
THE INCARNATION MILESTONE: God needs help.
Blessings, Praise, and Honor be unto Him that sits upon the Throne, Forever and Forever. May we all wait in the presence of the Lord until He comes again in glory. We are each different in how we approach our Lay Cistercian lives, but… Continue Reading “THE INCARNATION MILESTONE: God needs help.”
THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH: My New Catholic Church made in my image and likeness. Part III.
MY CHURCH IS LIKE A FIVE-STORY BUILDING, EACH FLOOR HAVING FOUR QUADRANTS OR ROOMS If I build a church in my image and likeness, subject to the whims of my emotional self for self-gratification, the results might not have anything to do with Christ.… Continue Reading “THE INSTITUTIONAL CHURCH: My New Catholic Church made in my image and likeness. Part III.”
THREE SOURCES OF INSPIRATION
In my quest to seek God daily wherever I am and however I am, my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) jangled my roots with the thought that I m sometimes caught up with the externals of Cistercian practices and charisms (making sure that I pray… Continue Reading “THREE SOURCES OF INSPIRATION”
The Center for Contemplative Practice 