Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Happy Easter!
Monday, April 5th, 2010
The Interior Castle by St. Theresa of Avila
Monday, February 15th, 2010This amazing classic can be downloaded for free (or for a small donation of $2.95 for a PDF version) from http://ccel.org Classic Christian Ethereal Library. This is a great site as iit has many public domain books that are classics in Christian Literature. I have been using this site for years, and have found many of the great classics there.
The Interior Castle by St. Theresa of Avila seems as if it were written yesterday, instead of 1583. Her metaphors and descriptions of one’s various stages of spiritual capacity (mansions) are well done, and brilliantly illustrate the spiritual light and passion to which she is so well attuned.
Please pick this book up for free or download it for free (or PDF). If you have a nook, it can be downloaded to your My B&N folder on your computer from http://www.ccel.org and next time you update your nook, you can copy it over. OR you can download a free e-reader from Barnes and Noble and read the text version which is free.
This book is worth your time and investment of it, much the same as The Cloud of Unknowing. It is one of the mystical classics.
Becoming a Lay Cistercian
Monday, May 4th, 2009I have finally requested acceptance into the Lay Cistercian formation at the Monastery of the Holy Spirit in Conyers, GA. I don’t know if or when the good brothers and Fathers will review, consider and decide on my candidacy. I have considered this an important step in my alignment with the Rule of Benedict, as it has been a very good influence on my core beliefs, and part of my ongoing spiritual formation.
As I reviewed the observances of the Lay Cistercian, I realized that I am in the midst of doing or have been doing the following (by no means on a strict basis, but mindfully as possible) for the past few years. I like having the form or definition of the observances as a standard against which I can strive to achieve:We strive for fidelity to a lifestyle that includes the following contemplative observances as a way to order our lives toward God. We see these observances as instruments for a life of contemplative discipline.
Holy Eucharist. Daily reception of the Holy Eucharist is seen as an expression of our union with Christ and with one another.
Liturgy of the Hours. Praying of one or more Hours of the Divine Office each day allows us to participate in the prayer of Christ for His Church.
Lectio Divina. To encounter the Word of God we allow a period of at least 20 minutes a day for lectio divina and meditation.
Silence and Solitude. As Lay-Cistercians we strive to develop a contemplative dimension within our lives by seeking opportunities for silence and solitude.
Devotion to Mary, Our Blessed Mother. We pray the Rosary daily as a devotion to Our Blessed Mother and bring our day to a close by praying the Salve Regina.
Special Devotions. Lay-Cistercians have a special devotion to Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament; the Holy Trinity; Our Lady of the Assumption, Patroness of the Cistercians; Saints of the Cistercian Order; as well as personal patrons.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation. Lay-Cistercians are encouraged to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation on a monthly basis, or more frequently if desired. This is consistent with living a life of continuous conversion.
Community Gathering Days. Lay-Cistercians meet monthly for a day of prayer, study and community sharing. During this time we receive on-going formation from our Spiritual Father(s) which facilitates our endeavor to incorporate contemplative spirituality into our daily lives. Community members are encouraged to seek additional opportunities for prayer and sharing with one another as time and personal circumstance permit.
Annual Retreat. The Lay-Cistercian Community spends one weekend each year in a retreat at the monastery. Members are encouraged to schedule additional retreat time throughout the year.
Work, Material Goods and Supporting the Church. We strive to approach our work in the world with an attitude of reverence, balance, and thanksgiving. We care for all material goods entrusted to us as gifts from God.
Lay-Cistercians are encouraged to contribute to the Church and the poor according to their means. When possible, we are associated with the Spiritual and Corporal Works of Mercy of the monastery.
My family is in support of it, and perhaps, one day they will decide it is a good way of life. Not that they don’t already, but as a committed state, time will tell. I hope that by my choices and example, I can learn, and by my consistency and practice I can inspire.
Bill
Webmaster – http://thecloudofunknowing.com
Being Still with Self/self is key to being still w/God
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009Learning to trust oneself, forgive oneself and others is a fundamental to becoming comfortable with your Self/self. When practicing contemplation learning to allow mental, emotional, visual, physical and auditory distractions to pass without attachment provides a gentle and forgiving release and return to one’s true surrender to God’s prescence within.
I am simply restating the premise of the recoined Centering Prayer method of using one’s “intent to consent” to God’s prescence within you. After trying many of the meditation approaches, where one has to follow a tradition or mantra, or method seems to reinforce duality (the idea that what you want is “over there”), when in fact the truth is, all you have to do is accept what you have, and understand that God is waiting for you to invite him “in”. You already have the power to access this relationship simply by opening your self by using your repeated intent to consent (surrender) (invitation) to allow God in to your space.
You will not be transformed into a bliss-ninny, Jesus Freak, om-chanting, nut case, but will receive a subtle relationship with God, who will lovingly accept all your issues, faults, etc.. It is His allowing that allows US to grow. This is such an elegant thing…
I was always afraid that if I completely surrendered to God, I would lose control of my life. What I have lost is my fear, not my control. I am much more able to flow with the synchronicity of events in my life and love more.
Centering Prayer is not “New Age”
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009Centering Prayer or Contemplative Prayer as handed down from the days of Jesus (or before), has survived mainly in the monasteries as a practice reserved only for those who had the natural urge to be contemplatives. This practice was passed on generation after generation until the anonymous author wrote “The Cloud of Unknowing”, and on until 1970 when Fr. Thomas Keating, Wm. Meninger, and Fr. Basil Pennington put the process into a more modern format.
This approach to intimacy with God is as old as at least our Christian beginnings. Perhaps it is an application of knowledge acquired in Jesus’ travels.
Welcome to Benedict’s Cave
Saturday, June 14th, 2008
This is my first day and attempt to create a space for those who seek a space away from the world to support their search for God.
I also have a site http://thecloudofunknowing.com in which I have opened a window into this subject as well.