Carl McColman's Blog, page 65
October 14, 2013
Shalem Vigil Now Underway (Please Find Time For Silence Today)
Shalem’s Logo
Last month I wrote about how important the Shalem Institute has been in my ongoing contemplative journey. I mentioned that this year is Shalem’s 40th anniversary, and that October 13-15 Shalem would be hosting a 40-hour contemplative prayer vigil.
The vigil began last night at 7 PM eastern standard time. It runs all day today and concludes tomorrow at 11 AM eastern standard time.
So I hope if you haven’t already done so, you will take time to enter into the mystery of silence today...
October 11, 2013
May I have five minutes of your time?
Carry on…
I have created a short survey. Would you please fill it out? There are only six questions, and three of those are optional, so it should only take a few minutes to complete.
One of my goals for my blog is to create new content 5 – 6 days each week. In doing so, I have a number of options I can pursue. To help me set up my writing plan, I’d like to hear from you, the reader, to see what kind of content is most useful or interesting to you. Thank you for your input!
Take the Survey
October 10, 2013
Three Wonderful New Julian of Norwich Books
The Showings of Julian of Norwich: A New Translation
I’m not sure why the fall of 2013 belongs to Julian of Norwich (except to the extent that any time is a good time for reading and reflecting on Julian’s wisdom). What I do know is that three wonderful books about Julian have been, or soon will be, published this season. If you’re already a Julian nut (yes, that’s a pun) like me, rejoice, for these are all worthy books to add to your library. If you have not yet discovered Julian — the mediev...
October 9, 2013
Why Contemplation is Revolutionary (Conclusion)
Like Holy Communion, contemplation helps us to recognize the God who is already present in our lives.
This is the final part of a series on “Why Contemplation is Revolutionary.” If you want to start at the beginning, follow this link:The Archbishop and the Community Theologian.
We’ve made our way through the quotations from Archbishop Rowan Williams and community theologian Kenneth Leech. We’ve looked at contemplation as a means for transformation. In the silence of “being still and knowing God...
October 8, 2013
Sharing in the Passion of Christ (Why Contemplation is Revolutionary, Part Eight)
The Transfiguration
This is part of a series on “Why Contemplation is Revolutionary.” If you want to start at the beginning, follow this link:The Archbishop and the Community Theologian.
When we struggle with contemplative practice — facing our own inner chaos, turmoil, and darkness — we participate in the passion of Christ, which is a deeply revolutionary matter.
Here’s what Kenneth Leech has to say:
The contemplative shares in the passion of Christ which is both an identification with the pain...
October 4, 2013
Chaos, Crisis, and the Pursuit of the Vision of God (Why Contemplation is Revolutionary, Part Seven)
HIldegard of Bingen, who pursued the vision of God
This is part of a series on “Why Contemplation is Revolutionary.” If you want to start at the beginning, follow this link:The Archbishop and the Community Theologian.
The other day, I wrote this about contemplation:
It’s really just practice in a new way of seeing.”Simply seeing things in a new light — this is what contemplation is,” remarked Brian D. McLaren in his bookA Generous Orthodoxy. He’s right. Then there’s Richard Rohr, who describes c...
October 3, 2013
Exploring the “Inner Wasteland” (Why Contemplation is Revolutionary, Part Six)
On the summit of Stone Mountain, GA. Photo by Fran McColman
This is part of a series on “Why Contemplation is Revolutionary.” If you want to start at the beginning, follow this link: The Archbishop and the Community Theologian.
Yesterday we looked at a quote about contemplation from Anglican theologian Kenneth Leech. Following his assertion that “contemplation has a context,” we looked at how the many social, political, and environmental concerns of our time form the milieu in which a life of s...
October 2, 2013
Contemplation and the Real World (Why Contemplation is Revolutionary, Part Five)
It’s not about having your head in the clouds.
This is part of a series. If you’re just joining the conversation, begin withThe Archbishop and the Community Theologianand then proceed to:
Why Contemplation is Revolutionary (Part One)
(Part Two)
(Part Three)and
(Part Four).
The last four posts have looked at a quote about contemplation from the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams. Today we turn our attention to one of Archbishop Williams’ colleagues and theological contemporaries, Father...
October 1, 2013
Contemplation, Truth, Honesty and Love (Why Contemplation is Revolutionary, Part Four)
Penny and Sheldon: can contemplation help them understand each other?
This is part of a series. If you’re just joining the conversation, begin withThe Archbishop and the Community Theologianand then proceed toWhy Contemplation is Revolutionary (Part One)and(Part Two)and (Part Three).
We’ve been considering the words of former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, who suggested that the Christian practice of contemplation is a powerful antidote to the insanity and unreality of our world, domi...
September 30, 2013
Contemplation and the Unreal World (Why Contemplation is Revolutionary, Part Three)
Photo by Fran McColman
This is part of a series. If you’re just joining the conversation, begin withThe Archbishop and the Community Theologianand then proceed toWhy Contemplation is Revolutionary (Part One)and (Part Two).
Today we’re looking at the third of ten points drawn from what Archbishop Rowan Williams and Father Kenneth Leech have said about contemplation. Today’s point, quoting the archbishop directly: contemplation is “the only ultimate answer to the unreal and insane world that our...
