One of the gifts of the contemplative life is acceptance. As we practice letting go, we learn to receive—all that is good within us as well as all that remains a challenge. Again, as Father Richard says, “Everything belongs.” By pressing into our Basic Fears, we center ourselves more deeply and find that we don’t have to react to those fears but can respond toward wholeness, toward growth, toward awakening. We also learn to receive the gift of doubt as an invitation to press deeper into faith. Moving from belief to faith can cause anxiety. It drums up fear for some people, who feel they need
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