Carl McColman's Blog, page 23
July 1, 2021
The Wisdom of the Heart (the Eternal Heart Book Launch Celebration!)
Friends, in case you missed it, here is a recording of the Eternal Heart book launch celebration! We gathered on the evening of June 29 — if you missed it, or want to view it again, watch the video below.
The theme of the evening was “the Wisdom of the Heart.” To explore that topic, authors Lerita Coleman Brown and Colette Lafia and folksinger Caroline Herring joined in the conversation with me. Our program was sponsored by the Atlanta Episcopal Cathedral Bookstore, Mary & Martha’s Place, and Ze...
June 30, 2021
Online Class: Introduction to Christian Mysticism (August 21, 2021)
Zeitgeist — Atlanta’s Home for the Spiritually Independent and their friends — is offering a four-month course on the foundations of world mysticism in the fall of 2021; this program begins with this day-long event on the mystical spirituality of the Christian tradition. Join us to explore the basic principles of Christian Mysticism, the history, personalities, and practices of the Christian M...
June 25, 2021
Can Contemplatives Have Fun?
Two words I often don’t hear together: “contemplation” and “fun” — or, for that matter, “mysticism” and “fun.”
Recently I have been thinking about this, and I decided it was worth writing about.
I like having fun.
If you know me in person you know that I have a playful, almost goofy personality. I have a fondness for madcap TV sitcoms, for awful puns (the groanier the better), and for kittens (even if you hate cats, you gotta admit, kittens are fun). I love miniature golf, fireworks, piñatas, ba...
June 18, 2021
Catholic Spirituality versus the Institutional Church: Navigating the Choppy Waters
A friend on Instagram wrote this to me recently:
Hello, Carl! I have become so drawn to the Catholic Church and I don’t know what to do. I am an LGBTQ+ Christian, and I have to admit, the sexual-abuse scandals in the RCC plus their stance on female clergy and birth control REALLY hold me back from going forth and becoming Catholic. And yet… I cannot seem to shake the desire to become Catholic. I would love any insight you might have. I feel such a need for Mary, for instance, but I feel so weird...
June 15, 2021
In-Person Retreat: Praying with the English Mystics (August 16-20, 2021)
After almost 18 months of doing only online retreats and programs, I am thrilled to announce my first in-person event of 2021, at beautiful Mepkin Abbey in South Carolina! This small Trappist monastery is located in a beautiful setting, with a state of the art guest house, low number of guest quarters, and plenty of room for a safe and spacious retreat! Our theme is “Praying with the English Mystics.” As of July 2, this retreat is full, but Mepkin Abbey does maintain a waiting list so you are en...
June 14, 2021
My Latest Initiative, or, What is a “Contemplative in Residence”?
Friends, I am honored to announce that I have embraced a special relationship with one of Atlanta’s most progressive and visionary spiritual communities. I have been named the “Contemplative in Residence” for Zeitgeist Atlanta.
What is a Contemplative in Residence?
As you may know, many universities or non-profit organizations will appoint an “artist in residence” or “writer in residence” — a creative professional who becomes formally affiliated with the organization as a creative, but also as a...
June 8, 2021
Online Day of Reflection for Patrons: Transfiguration (August 7, 2021)
Four times a year I offer an online Quiet Day/Day of Reflection for the generous patrons who support the Anamchara website/blog/knowledge base through Patreon. The next such quiet day will take place on Saturday, August 7, 2021. The theme for this Quiet Day will be the Feast of the Transfiguration, and will include a Zoom session with time for silent prayer, lectio divina, time for shared reflection on the spiritual meaning of the Transfiguration, and time for conversation. If you are not curre...
June 1, 2021
Online Event: The Path of the Awakened Heart (July 31,2021)
Authors Colette Lafia and Carl McColman join together to lead this special online program celebrating the wisdom of the heart. Sponsored by the East West Bookshop of Mountain View California.
For more information or to register, click here.
The Path of the Awakened HeartSaturday, July 31, 202111:30 AM 1:00 PM (PST) — 2:30 – 4:00 PM (EST)Online: Sponsored by the East West Bookshop324 Castro StreetMountain View, CA, 94041
ONLINE • Pacific Time Zone
$20
Join authors Colette Lafia and Car...
May 28, 2021
Why the Desert Mothers and Fathers Still Matter
In one of his daily emails, Richard Rohr once admitted that he has some issues with the sayings of the Desert Mothers and Fathers — the early Christian hermits and monastics who lived in Egypt, Palestine and Syria in the 3rd and 4th centuries. Rohr admitted that, on some levels, because these writings are so ancient, they can be very problematic when viewed from the perspective of the 21st century: these early Christians can come across as judgmental, sexist (if not downright misogynistic), host...
May 26, 2021
Come to the Eternal Heart Publication Day Celebration — June 29, 2021!
Friends, you are invited to a special virtual event: the Eternal Heart Book Launch Celebration!
We will gather via Zoom on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from 7:30 – 8:45 PM (Eastern Time). Our gathering will include music by folksinger Caroline Herring, and words from two special “Heart Authors” — Lerita Coleman Brown and Colette Lafia!
I’ll read a few selections from the book, have a conversation on the wisdom of the heart with Lerita and Colette, and there will be time for conversation with event att...
