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June 2018

June 01, 2018

Discover the Stories of the Sufis — Wisdom for Today

Today's guest post is by Neil Douglas-Klotz, author of The Little Book of Sufi Stories. What’s...

May 2018

May 26, 2018

Learning to Love the “Habit” of Spirituality

We human beings are creatures of habit. We brush our teeth in the same direction,...

May 02, 2018

What’s the difference between Ignatian Spirituality and Centering Prayer?

What is the difference between centering prayer and Ignatian spirituality? To answer this question, let's...

March 2018

March 23, 2018

On the Contemplative Role of the Ear… and the Tongue (Lectio Divina Diligens for Palm Sunday)

Here is the final installment of my Lenten series on Lectio Divina I'm calling Lectio Divina...

March 20, 2018

What to Do When Prayer Gets Dull

A reader writes: Hi Carl, hope you're well. Just wanted to pick your brain again!...

March 15, 2018

God’s Guidance, Engraved on Our Hearts (Lectio Divina Diligens for the Fifth Sunday of Lent)

Our Lenten journey continues with a twist on Lectio Divina I'm calling Lectio Divina Diligens. Click...

March 06, 2018

Periodicals That Contemplatives Will Enjoy

Yesterday I received this message: Hi, Mr. McColman, Quick question. Are there any periodicals, journals,...

March 02, 2018

Love Matters More Than Logic or Experience (Lectio Divina Diligens for the Third Sunday of Lent)

We continue our journey through Lent with a new approach to Lectio Divina that I...

February 2018

February 01, 2018

The Ethics of Sharing Mystical Knowledge: Meister Eckhart and the Cloud Author

Pick up any edition of The Cloud of Unknowing, and you are likely to find...

December 2017

December 26, 2017

“What is it about paganism that scares Christians?”

Several months ago, in response to a reader's question, I posted an article to this...

December 19, 2017

Into Safe Hands: A Meditation On Dying for Advent and Christmas (by Ronald Rolheiser)

Note: Today's post, by guest contributor Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, is an excerpt from his new...

December 15, 2017

Seven Lessons on Prayer I learned from Julian of Norwich

The great medieval mystic Julian of Norwich is renowned for her theological optimism ("All shall...

December 08, 2017

The Call to Move “Beyond” What is Safe and Familiar

Today's post is by guest contributor Mark S. Burrows, who is a poet and an...

November 2017

November 09, 2017

What do Gene Kelly and St. Francis have in common?

Today's post is by a guest contributor: Jon M. Sweeney, author of numerous books including The Saint...

October 2017

October 23, 2017

On Discerning the Meaning of Spiritual Experience

A reader of my blog writes: How do you know if a certain spiritual experience...

October 05, 2017

Why Experience Is Not the Foundation of (All) Spirituality

Why it's dangerous to say that experience should be the necessary foundation for spiritual growth.

September 2017

September 07, 2017

What is the Relationship Between Contemplation and Privilege?

We live in a moment in history when, finally, our global human family seems to be starting...

August 2017

August 23, 2017

What I learned from the Solar Eclipse

I don't remember much about the spring of 1970, when I was in the third...

August 08, 2017

Can We Measure the Scientific Benefits of Christian Contemplation?

A recent article on the UK-based website Christian Today (not to be confused with Christianity Today) poses the...

June 2017

June 06, 2017

Sacred Rhythms: How Monastic Spirituality Can Nurture Your Walk with God

Would you like to learn more about the beautiful spirituality of Christian monks and nuns?

May 2017

May 23, 2017

What Is the Relationship Between Christian Prayer and Meditation?

Christian spirituality is dedicated to growing in intimacy with God. Both the prayer of silence...

May 04, 2017

Compline — Prayer for the Closing of the Day

This video presents a service of Compline, sung live by the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, England, under...

March 2017

March 20, 2017

Talking to Christine Valters Paintner about the Wisdom of the Body

My friend and colleague Christine Valters Paintner has recently released a book called The Wisdom of the...

February 2017

February 22, 2017

One Step Christians Must Take To Receive the Gift of Illumination

In his wonderful book about the present and future of Christian mysticism, "Arise, My Love...", author...

February 20, 2017

Five Ideas that Shape Contemplative Prayer

I recently listened to the audiobook version of Chris Anderson's TED Talks: The Official TED Guide...

February 10, 2017

Seven Essential Books on the Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers

The headwaters of the Christian contemplative and mystical tradition — aside from the Bible, of...

February 02, 2017

A Candlemas Meditation

Today is the feast of the Presentation, traditionally known as Candlemas. It's a time when...

January 2017

January 11, 2017

“Constantly Seek His Face”

Today’s Mass Readings (Hebrews 2:14–18, Psalm 105:1–9, and Mark 1:29–39) offer an interesting insight into the role...

January 04, 2017

How to Think About Angels

Here is a wonderful description of angels from the anonymous Syrian monk who is now...

January 02, 2017

Seven Ideas for a Contemplative New Year’s Resolution

Happy new year! 'Tis the season for making a resolution for a positive change in...