The Center for Contemplative Practice
A Lay Cistercian Looks at Spiritual Reality
Tag: spirituality
DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY: THE REALITY OF MYSTERY IN THREE UNIVERSES.
The third constant that permeates all three universes is that of mystery. Mystery, as I define it, is the unknown yet knowable part of reality in the physical universe, the mental universe, and the spiritual universe. It is the unknown part of reality just… Continue Reading “DIGGING FOR HEAVENLY: THE REALITY OF MYSTERY IN THREE UNIVERSES.”
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”
WHY HUMAN SEXUALITY NEEDS DIVINE BOUNDARIES
Sexuality is one of those topics that I grew up with but never understood in terms of how and why it is so crucial to who I am and how it helps me grow into the deepest part of what it means to be… Continue Reading “WHY HUMAN SEXUALITY NEEDS DIVINE BOUNDARIES”
A LAY CISTERCIAN SHARES HIS STRUGGLES WITH THOSE WHO ARE PUSSILANIMOUS
Life is a process, so it stands to reason that, my Lay Cistercian Way is also subject to those same tendencies to live life just a tad before what is happening now. This trend takes much of its direction from the milieu in which… Continue Reading “A LAY CISTERCIAN SHARES HIS STRUGGLES WITH THOSE WHO ARE PUSSILANIMOUS”
COMMON SENSE CATHOLICISM: Random thoughts from the edge of time.
One thing is for sure: if you get too close to the edge of time, you may fall off. Granted that I am just a bit peculiar and have not lost it (entirely), I would like to share with you some seemingly disjointed ideas… Continue Reading “COMMON SENSE CATHOLICISM: Random thoughts from the edge of time.”
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”
HOW TO PLAY IN GOD’S PLAYGROUND
HOW TO ORGANIZE AND FOCUS ON THE LIFE OF CHRIST SEEKING GOD EACH DAY IN ALL THAT COMES MY WAY The following pages are samples of the horarium (hourly agenda) and Internet sites that I use to organize my day as a Lay Cistercian.… Continue Reading “HOW TO PLAY IN GOD’S PLAYGROUND”
MONASTERY AND LAY CISTERCIAN PONDERINGS
I share with you what I have received via the Monastery of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit, Conyers, Georgia, and also from the Lay Cistercians (with permission). Blessings on you this day. Remember, peace is not the absence of conflict but rather the… Continue Reading “MONASTERY AND LAY CISTERCIAN PONDERINGS”
YOU CAN’t BE CONTEMPLATIVE IN YOUR SPIRITUALITY BY YOURSELF
The Gathering of Lay Cistercians of Our Lady of the Holy Spirit Monastery.
moving from self to god…slowly but surely
Here is a blog post I made over a year ago. I had been thinking about using and applying Cistercian practices and seeking charisms. I had the thought that my monastery is not just the world, but confined to the limits I discover each… Continue Reading “moving from self to god…slowly but surely”
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 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”
SO, WHERE DID EVIL COME FROM?
Forgive me for being so maudlin. I get into these spells once in a blue moon, thinking of topics that seem way off (more so than usual). In my Lectio Divina dream, one where I don’t know if I was awake or asleep, I… Continue Reading “SO, WHERE DID EVIL COME FROM?”
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”
A Lay Cistercian reflects on moving from self to God
There are many lessons I have learned about trying to be spiritual in my lifetime. Here are a few. Spirituality, i.e., moving from self to God, is a lifetime process. I marvel, when talking to people who have said they left the Catholic Church… Continue Reading “A Lay Cistercian reflects on moving from self to God”
THREE THINGS GOD TOLD ME ABOUT CANCER , WHEN I SAT NEXT TO HIM IN CONTEMPLATION
If you think I am some kind of religious fanatic, let me assure you that I am not. What this blog topic is about is ten days of contemplation using the Lectio Divina method. I didn’t always have success at waiting for God, which… Continue Reading “THREE THINGS GOD TOLD ME ABOUT CANCER , WHEN I SAT NEXT TO HIM IN CONTEMPLATION”
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