Center for Action and Contemplation – Father
Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditation – Thursday, 2 January 2014 “Contemplation as
Catalyst”
Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation
Introduction
“Contemplation as Catalyst”
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Great love and suffering are the natural
gateways to transformation and growth, opening us to divine union. They are
available to everyone. Contemplation serves as a major catalyst for this
journey. It greases the wheels and helps us be ready and willing to deal with
great love and great suffering when they come our way. Otherwise, we face the
great tasks of life with only our momentary feelings and defenses, which are
always inadequate.
Transformation is always a gift to be received.
We can’t achieve it; like grace, it is given and can only be received. In other
words, it is not a matter of intense willpower. We can nurture openness and
presence ahead of time so that when the opportunity comes, we are ready and
willing. So throughout this year, there will be consistent invitations to
contemplation, such as the “Gateway to Silence” phrases at the close of each
meditation. These are merely suggestions; use whatever words, gestures, or ways
draw you into non-dual consciousness, letting go of obsessive thoughts and
emotions, and simply being in pure and naked Presence.
At the close of each week I’ll also offer a
special “Sabbath” meditation, remembering key teachings from the preceding days
(which might also be helpful for those who aren’t able to read everything
during the week) and introducing a contemplative practice, an opportunity to
allow the monkey mind to take its rest.
I hope this format and intentional sequence of
study will offer a deep and experiential way of daily (or weekly) spiritual
formation, not just for your own personal growth, but for the blessing of the
world you live in!
Gateway to Silence:
My true self is love.
Related Resources:
Contemplative Prayer (CD, MP3 download)
The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics
See (book)
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Center for Action and Contemplation
1705 Five Points Road SW
1705 Five Points Road SW
Albuquerque, NM 87105 (physical)
PO Box 12464
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PO Box 12464
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