The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Tag: prayer
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.”
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.”
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 (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) “
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”
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”
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 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.”
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 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”
HOW TO ENTER THE REALM OF THE SACRED
What might seem like an Indiana Jones fantasy adventure to enter the lost or forbidden realm of the Sacred is indeed the most simple, in keeping with everything about God. You simply go there. Contemplation is seeking God within you, among other places. Close… Continue Reading “HOW TO ENTER THE REALM OF THE SACRED”
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”
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