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Contemplative

Contemplation

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February 2019

February 08, 2019

Inter-Religious Spirituality and the Contemplative Renaissance: How Our Friends From Other Faiths Helped Christians Rediscover Our Spiritual Heart

Christianity has a long history of contemplative practice. But many scholars and spiritual teachers within...

February 05, 2019

Contemplation, Atheism, and Amputees

N.B. I wrote the first draft of this post about a year ago, at a...

February 02, 2019

On the Feast of the Presentation (Candlemas) — Let’s Practice “Presenting” Christ to One Another

Today is the feast of the presentation. It’s also traditionally known as Candlemas; it was...

January 2019

January 21, 2019

Seven Contemplative New Year’s Resolutions (That Are Worth Adopting Any Time of the Year)

I know, I know — a blog post about new years' resolutions several weeks after...

January 17, 2019

Understanding How Contemplation and Mysticism are Different (and Similar)

Sometimes people will ask me if "contemplation" and "mysticism" are synonyms. I admit: I often...

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 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...

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 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 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 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...

October 2018

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 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:...

September 2018

September 29, 2018

Two Questions on the Practice of Silent Prayer

A reader of this blog wrote to me about the practice of silent prayer. He...

September 08, 2018

Contemplation and Ecstatic Experience

A reader named Kevin wrote and asked me: What's your view on the phenomenon of...

September 05, 2018

Contemplating the Sacred Word

A reader wrote this message to me recently: Carl, I just recently started centering prayer...

August 2018

August 27, 2018

Between Shambhala and the Catholic Church: On Being a Contemplative in Imperfect Institutions

I sure know how to pick them (he says, ruefully). The two organizations that I...

August 22, 2018

What’s The Point Behind Mary and Martha?

When I lead retreats, I often offer up a disclaimer: I am not an academic...

August 14, 2018

Four Keys to a Contemplative Life (Courtesy of Psalm 37)

For years now I have loved Psalm 37, for it includes one of my favorite...

August 02, 2018

What To Do When Mystics Feel Like Misfits

In response to my recent article Why Are Mystics So... Weird?!?, one reader posted this comment

July 2018

July 26, 2018

God Listens… Within You

Today's guest post is by Mark S. Burrows, translator of Rilke's Prayers of a Young...

July 05, 2018

The Slowing: On the Contemplative Gift of Poetry

Today's guest post is by Mark S. Burrows, translator of Rilke's Prayers of a Young...

May 2018

May 16, 2018

Just What is Contemplation, Anyway? And Why Should I Care?

A Jesuit priest, a Trappist monk, and a Tibetan buddhist walked into a bar. (No,...

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...

April 2018

April 25, 2018

A Conversation with Richard Rohr, OFM

Richard Rohr — author of numerous books on the contemplative dimension of spirituality, including Everything Belongs and The...