The Center for contemplative practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Tag: Lay Cistercians
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?”
THE MARTYRDOM OF THE ORDINARY: Paco’s Prayer
Francisco Paco Ambrosetti, God rest his soul, is a Lay Cistercian now standing before the Throne of the Lamb and proclaiming the glory of the Father. Here is his prayer. May his soul, and the soul of all Lay Cistercians rest in the peace… Continue Reading “THE MARTYRDOM OF THE ORDINARY: Paco’s Prayer”
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”
SLOW DOWN II
One lesson that I have begun to be aware of as a direct result of Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5) is my prayers, even my routine life chores have been noticeably slowing down. Awareness of these little hints at growth is all that I have… Continue Reading “SLOW DOWN II”
THREE BATTLES YOU MUST FIGHT TO WIN
In my latest Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5), I was struck by the notion of how difficult it is to live in the world and yet also be a citizen and adopted son in the Kingdom of Heaven. This dual citizenship causes anxiety sometimes and… Continue Reading “THREE BATTLES YOU MUST FIGHT TO WIN”
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”
YOU CAN’t BE CONTEMPLATIVE IN YOUR SPIRITUALITY BY YOURSELF
The Gathering of Lay Cistercians of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery.
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”
SHARING INTERNET SITES I USE
Every so often, I look around my house and think about all the nice but not necessary THINGS I have accumulated over the years. It seems I am a functional hoarder and not a dysfunctional one. Every so often, my wife says we should… Continue Reading “SHARING INTERNET SITES I USE”
Youtube clips that have helped me in contemplation
In my Lectio Divina (Philippians 2:5), I have found that, when trying to seek God each day wherever I am and as I am, I try to look at the reality in front of me with the love of Christ in my heart and… Continue Reading “Youtube clips that have helped me in contemplation”
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”
THE SIXTY-SECOND CATHOLIC
Here are some thoughts for Dads on their secular holiday. FIVE YES’S AND ONE NO THE BEGINNING Creation began as a YES (Let it be) from God. That which is created takes on the characteristics of the person creating it. THE BEGINNING OF HUMAN… Continue Reading “THE SIXTY-SECOND CATHOLIC”
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”
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”
The Center for contemplative practice 