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January 2019

January 14, 2019

Twelve Contemplative Books for Spiritual Transformation

A reader named Andrew wrote to me and asked this question: What do you think...

January 11, 2019

“I feel called to a life of solitude. What should I do?”

A reader named Thomas wrote to me: Dear Sir; Blessings. Where can a person go...

January 07, 2019

The Contemplative Life in Three Easy Steps

Origen of Alexandria came up with the idea first. Unless you're a Christian history geek,...

January 04, 2019

After the Silence, or, the Long Process of Forming a Contemplative Life

So you've been to a centering prayer workshop or two, and now you participate in...

January 01, 2019

Silence is Not a Vow (Not Even for Monks)

"There are times when good words are to be left unsaid out of esteem for...

December 2018

December 28, 2018

The Privilege of Silence

Back in 2003, I spent a day at a relatively new monastery near Sligo, Ireland....

December 26, 2018

Silence and Words are Like Yin and Yang: a Contemplative Spirituality Needs Both

How does language help us — or hinder us — as we try to express...

December 20, 2018

Planting the Seed and Watching it Grow

I grew up in the suburbs, and gardening was not something my family devoted much...

December 18, 2018

Is Contemplation Boring?

"This article is boring." I don't know of any writer who wants to get this...

December 14, 2018

Mysticism, Contemplation, and Celtic Spirituality: A Guide to Books by Yours Truly

Every now and then I get an email or an in-person comment from someone who...

December 11, 2018

Walking in Wonder: This Book of Conversations with John O’Donohue is Everything You Hope It Would Be

"So the spiritual life is about the liberation of God from our images of him,"...

December 07, 2018

Christianity is a Myth — and I say that as a faithful Catholic

I lost a follower on Facebook today. I'm sure it happens all the time, but...

December 04, 2018

Are Art and Mysticism Two Sides of the Same Coin?

I've been thinking about the relationship between contemplation and creativity. This is inspired in part...

November 2018

November 29, 2018

An Ocean of Light — Martin Laird’s Must-Read New Book on Contemplation

Rejoice, my friends. The author who is arguably our most eloquent and learned living authority...

November 27, 2018

Seven Contemplative Artists/Creators Who Deserve Your Support via Patreon

Like many bloggers and other creatives, I rely on Patreon to fund my blog. Patreon...

November 26, 2018

Three Wonderful Julian of Norwich Books

I'm not sure why the fall of 2013 belonged to Julian of Norwich (except to...

November 21, 2018

Devotional Reading for the Three Celtic Lents

Previously I have written about how, in ancient times, Celtic monks observed three "Lents" —...

November 15, 2018

If Mystical Christianity is Shamanistic, then the Divine Office is the Drum

For years, I have thought that one of the best ways to understand Christian spirituality...

November 13, 2018

God is Love — and Love is a Story

If the 1959 plane crash which claimed the lives of Buddy Holly, the Big Bopper,...

November 05, 2018

Day of a Stranger: Forthcoming Movie Reveals a Hidden Side of Thomas Merton

Here's a trailer for a forthcoming short film about Thomas Merton and the hermitage he...

November 01, 2018

Dialogue with a Druid (About the Relationship Between the Mystical Life and Faith Community)

On Facebook recently I engaged in a dialogue with a reader named Aaron who commented...

October 2018

October 28, 2018

An Invitation to Celtic Wisdom: Mystery, Spirit, and Compassion

November 1, 2018 marks the publication date of my new book on Celtic spirituality, An...

October 27, 2018

Farewell to Two Contemplative Authors

This week was a rough one for the Christian contemplative community. We lost two major...

October 24, 2018

A Litany for Julian of Norwich

Here is a litany created from the words of Julian of Norwich, 14th Century English...

October 20, 2018

The Heart Symphony: Another Perspective on a Contemplative Prayer Word

In response to my post Can Christians Use a (Non-Christian) Mantra?, a reader posted this comment...

October 18, 2018

Letting Go Of (Our Limited Image of) God

“God loves us whether we remain Christian or not." That's a statement I made in...

October 12, 2018

Remaining at the Cross: On Being a Contemplative Christian in a Church That Has Forgotten Its Mystical Heritage

This is turning out to be "James Ishmael Ford" week at my blog. Earlier this...

October 10, 2018

Want to Learn About Zen? Here’s a Book to Get You Started

Introduction to Zen Koans: Learning the Language of Dragons is the latest book by James Ishmael...

October 06, 2018

Ten Bible Verses About Silence, Stillness and Solitude

This evening I've been asked to speak to a small house church in my neighborhood...

October 04, 2018

Can Christians Use a (Non-Christian) Mantra?

A reader, who identifies as a contemplative/mystical Christian, posted this question to me on Facebook:...