B Still: Contemplative Spirituality
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Is Contemplative Spirituality for Me?
The world in which we live can be noisy, chaotic, distracting, and disturbing.
But there is a point deep within your being that is sacred and pure.
From that point of stillness, we are called to rest; to open our eyes; to listen; to seek Wisdom and Love beneath appearance, events, personal history, and feelings; to realize our connection to one another and to All That Is.
It takes a lot of courage to live a contemplative life.
It will cause you to question what you've always believed and what you've been taught. It will change the way you live in or think about this world. It will open you to knowing that we are one.
And as we become aware of our connectedness - our oneness in the One...well, that brings about some radical changes in us: we start to see Christ in each person we meet, to love each other better, to live peace, to reach out more.
As we are still, we imagine change in our world in completely new and different and inspired ways. We learn life isn't really about us, but about Other.
That's pretty much what this B Still Lens looks at....the contemplative way to heart-center, the changes that occur when you follow that way, and the places you can find support and encouragement along the way.
So, Welcome! And thanks for sharing this journey with me.
intro image: meditation by alicepopkorn (in and out) at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/3704377275/sizes/m/
But there is a point deep within your being that is sacred and pure.
From that point of stillness, we are called to rest; to open our eyes; to listen; to seek Wisdom and Love beneath appearance, events, personal history, and feelings; to realize our connection to one another and to All That Is.
It takes a lot of courage to live a contemplative life.
It will cause you to question what you've always believed and what you've been taught. It will change the way you live in or think about this world. It will open you to knowing that we are one.
And as we become aware of our connectedness - our oneness in the One...well, that brings about some radical changes in us: we start to see Christ in each person we meet, to love each other better, to live peace, to reach out more.
As we are still, we imagine change in our world in completely new and different and inspired ways. We learn life isn't really about us, but about Other.
That's pretty much what this B Still Lens looks at....the contemplative way to heart-center, the changes that occur when you follow that way, and the places you can find support and encouragement along the way.
So, Welcome! And thanks for sharing this journey with me.
intro image: meditation by alicepopkorn (in and out) at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicepopkorn/3704377275/sizes/m/
More about Contemplative Spirituality
What is Contemplative Spirituality?
A link to a monograph from the Shalem Institute that offers an in-depth explanation of contemplative spirituality.
- What is Contemplative Spirituality?
- A Shalem Senior Staff Monograph
Practicing Stillness
Centering Prayer
Basil Pennington, one of the best known proponents of the centering prayer technique, has delineated the guidelines for centering prayer:1. Sit comfortably with your eyes closed, relax, and quiet yourself. Be in love and faith to God.
2. Choose a sacred word that best supports your sincere intention to be in the Lord's presence and open to His divine action within you (i.e. "Jesus", "Lord," "God," "Savior," "Abba," "Divine," "Shalom," "Spirit," "Love," etc.).
3. Let that word be gently present as your symbol of your sincere intention to be in the Lord's presence and open to His divine action within you.
4. Whenever you become aware of anything (thoughts, feelings, perceptions, images, associations, etc.), simply return to your sacred word, your anchor.
Quoted directly from Wikipedia contributors, "Centering prayer," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Centering_prayer&oldid=307027935 (accessed August 9, 2009)
Wikipedia article references: M. Basil Pennington (1986), "Centering Prayer: Refining the Rules," "Review for Religious," 46:3, 386-393.
Image from Old Shoe Woman at http://www.flickr.com/photos/judybaxter/14966566/sizes/s/
Favorite Books
walking in wonder
notes from a contemplative path
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The Tree of Contemplative Practices
"On the Tree of Contemplative Practices, the roots symbolize the two intentions that are the foundation of all contemplative practices: cultivating awareness and developing a stronger connection to God, the divine, or inner wisdom. The roots of the tree encompass and transcend differences in the religious traditions from which many of the practices originated, and allow room for the inclusion of new practices that are being created in secular contexts....Any activities not included on this Tree (including those which may seem more mundane, such as gardening, eating, or taking a bath) are a contemplative practice when done with the intent of cultivating awareness, or developing a stronger connection with God or one's inner wisdom."
from "The Tree of Contemplative Practices" at http://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/tree.html
More Favorites
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Internet Resources
- The School for Contemplative Living
- A new contemplative community in New Orleans, LA
- Contemplative Outreach
- Contemplative Outreach is a spiritual network of individuals and small faith communities committed to living the contemplative dimension of the Gospel. The common desire for Divine transformation, primarily expressed through a commitment to a daily Centering Prayer practice, unites our international, interdenominational community.
- The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society
- The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society works to integrate contemplative awareness into contemporary life in order to help create a more just, compassionate, reflective, and sustainable society.
- The Shalem Institute for Spiritual Formation
- The Shalem Institute provides in-depth support for contemplative living and leadership-a way of being in the world that is prayerfully attentive and responsive to God's presence and guidance.
- The Center for Action and Contemplation
- The Center for Action and Contemplation, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was founded in 1987 by Franciscan Father Richard Rohr. It serves as a place of discernment and growth for activists and those interested in social service ministries-a place to be still, and learn how to integrate a contemplative lifestyle with compassionate service.
- Contemplative Outreach: The Christian Contemplative Tradition
- A history and description of the Christian contemplative tradition.
- The Contemplative Society
- Website of the Contemplative Society, an ecumenical, nonprofit association, that encourages a deepening of contemplative prayer based in the Christian tradition, through teachings and retreats.
- Contemplative Spirituality Network
- The Contemplative Spirituality Network is seeking to explore, and participate in, the modern recovery of the ancient and essential Christian contemplative, mystical or wisdom tradition in our time.
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by bethmorgan
bethmorgan
One woman, awakened to see that she is held by and filled by Presence, is learning, moment-by-moment, what it means to live one with the One.
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