From time to time, I post a meme on my Facebook page and Twitter feed with quotes from spiritual writers I find inspiring. A few days ago, I posted this one with a quote from 13th Century Christian mystic, Meister Eckhart. Eckhart was a Dominican priest, philosopher, and theologian. In… Read More »Set on Fire
The movement started when Christianity could be legally practiced in the Roman Empire. Those in serious pursuit of a way of life that could be called “Christian” left their towns and cities and headed to remote places to live alone or in small groups. The most notable were the people… Read More »Becoming Fire
Finding information on meditation and techniques is quite easy today. Classes are taught at Buddist sanghas, Christian churches, Jewish synagogues, yoga studios, health clubs, gyms…just about any place where people can gather. In metropolitan areas, there are often large outdoor meditation sittings where people of various traditions gather. From the… Read More »The Uniqueness of Christian Contemplative Prayer
It’s a classic song from my high school days. I’m surprised how often I find the song playing as background music in my mind. It was in 1972 that singer-song writer Bill Withers released this soulful tune: “Sometimes in our lives we all have pain We all have sorrow …”… Read More »Sometimes We All Have Pain
Was there a time when a friend or loved one said something to you that led you to a new insight or a moment of growth? In my college years, I would venture with a group of fellow students for weekend retreats at a remote farmhouse in the mountains of… Read More »No Pain, No Gain! Are You Sure?
Let’s just admit something that’s simply true: life can be very difficult. For decades, war has raged in the Middle East and Central Asia with no real solution in sight as hundreds of thousands of refugees flee to Europe. Each day, children and youth are gunned-down in the streets of… Read More »Finding Light in the Darkness
It’s often said that religion and spirituality are fundamentally different. The arguments for this position go something like this. Religion is about dogma, fixed beliefs, and rituals to which people must adhere. Spirituality is individualized, focused on experience, and free flowing. At face value, there’s something to be said for… Read More »Religion and Spirituality: How Different Are They?
As I read Facebook status up-dates one day last week, the words posted by a friend struck a deep cord. The question he posed was simple, frank, and stark. It read: Will the hate ever stop? As best as I could tell, the question was not connected to a specific… Read More »Will Hatred End?