N.B. I wrote the first draft of this post about a year ago, at a time when several militant atheist commentators were active on my blog’s comment section. Eventually I banned the ones who were...
Sometimes people will ask me if “contemplation” and “mysticism” are synonyms. I admit: I often use the words interchangeably. But if they meant exactly the same thing, then one word would be...
Does contemplation make you yawn? You’re not alone. “This article is boring.” Writer - Type - Feedback - Reader - Kind I don’t know of any writer who wants to get this type of feedback from a reader.
Every now and then I get an email or an in-person comment from someone who will tell me that I love my blog but they had no idea that I have also written some books.
Rejoice, my friends. The author who is arguably our most eloquent and learned living authority on Christian contemplation — at least in the western church — has released a new book. And it’s a gem.
A reader named Kevin wrote and asked me: What’s your view on the phenomenon of spiritual ecstasy? I used to think, before I experienced it, that it was a surge of positive emotion, rather like joy.
(CNSNews.com) - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) issued a statement on Tuesday in observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan. “Ramadan offers all Americans an opportunity to honor the...
A Jesuit priest, a Trappist monk, and a Tibetan buddhist walked into a bar. (No, this is not a joke). Sign - Bar - Drinks - Everyone - Party A sign above the bar said, “Free drinks to everyone in...
(CNSNews.com) - House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) issued a statement on Tuesday in observance of the Holy Month of Ramadan. “Ramadan offers all Americans an opportunity to honor the...
Last week I attended a book signing here in Atlanta, in which Jon Sweeney promoted his new biography, Phyllis Tickle: A Life. I’ve known Jon for years — we share a love for Cistercian spirituality...
“Each of us aches for significance, meaning, uniqueness, preciousness, immortality, and great love and great beauty in our lives. This yearning is congenital and incurable.
“Silence is praise.” A reader of my blog writes: “Christian Contemplative prayer gets a lot of bad press, as you are well aware. Many say there is no Biblical support for it whatsoever.
In his book Peace Be With You: Monastic Wisdom for a Terror-Filled World, Orthodox Christian author David Carlson explores how contemplative spirituality might offer a way of responding to the...
One of my favorite movies is finally becoming available on blu-ray and DVD: In Pursuit of Silence. If you have been following this blog for a while, you know that I’m in love with this film.
A recent article on the UK-based website Christian Today (not to be confused with Christianity Today) poses the question “Can Science Prove Christian Meditation Works?” (click on the link to read...
The Irish word for contemplation — or contemplative prayer — is rinnfheitheamh. Yes, that’s a mouthful! I only have enough Irish to be dangerous, and the pronunciation of Irish depends on which of...
Contemplation, says St. Augustine, is the highest part of reason, which is the highest part of the soul, which is the highest part of our nature. In everything we do, then, we should be guided by...
A reader of this blog sent me an email recently that said in part: I have to confess I have not yet read any of your books. But I love your writing and would like to learn more about Christian...
Mail Online
| 1/26/2017
| Mark Prigg For Dailymail.com
It could be a temple like no other - and with a view that really is out of this world. The European Space Agency has revealed plans for a lunar temple to be built alongside mankind's first outpost...
Some things never change. Here’s a little quote from Teresa of Ávila’s classic book about prayer, The Way of Perfection: Souls - Recollection - Minds - Prayer - Meditation Let us now return to speak...