Richard Rohr's Daily Meditation
From the Center for Action and Contemplation
Week Thirty-one: "Perennial Tradition"
"Awakening to Our True Self"Tuesday, July 31, 2018
The term “perennial philosophy” . . . refers to a fourfold realization: (1) there is only one Reality (call it, among other names, God, Mother, Tao, Allah, Dharmakaya, Brahman, or Great Spirit) that is the source and substance of all creation; (2) that while each of us is a manifestation of this Reality, most of us identify with something much smaller, that is, our culturally conditioned individual ego; (3) that this identification with the smaller self gives rise to needless anxiety, unnecessary suffering, and cross-cultural competition and violence; and (4) that peace, compassion, and justice naturally replace anxiety, needless suffering, competition, and violence when we realize our true nature as a manifestation of this singular Reality. The great sages and mystics of every civilization throughout human history have taught these truths in the language of their time and culture. (Rami Shapiro [1])
Education as it is currently understood, particularly in the West, ignores the human soul, or essential Self. This essential Self is not some vague entity whose existence is a matter of speculation, but our fundamental “I,” which has been covered over by social conditioning and by the superficiality of our rational mind. In North America we are in great need of a form of training that would contribute to the awakening of the essential Self. Such forms of training have existed in other eras and cultures and have been available to those with the yearning to awaken from the sleep of their limited conditioning and know the potential latent in the human being. (Kabir Helminski [2])
These are key reasons that the Center for Action and Contemplation is dedicated to reinvigorating the teaching of Christian contemplation. The consistent practice of contemplation helps to uncover our essential Self, our connected Self, our True Self.
Unfortunately, separateness is the chosen stance of the small self which has a hard time living in unity and love with the One, Ultimate Reality, and the diverse manifestations of this Reality (i.e., ourselves, other people, and everything else). The small self takes one side or the other in order to feel secure. It frames reality in a binary way: for me or against me, totally right or totally wrong, my group’s opinion or another group’s—all dualistic formulations.
That is the best the small egotistical self can do, yet it is not anywhere close to adequate. It might be an early level of intelligence, but it is not mature wisdom. The small self is still objectively in union with God, it just does not know it, enjoy it, or draw upon it. Jesus asked, “Is it not written in your own law, ‘You are gods’?” (John 10:34). But for most of us, this objective divine image has not yet become the subjective likeness (Genesis 1:26-27). Our life’s goal is to illustrate both the image and the likeness of God by living in conscious loving union with God. It is a moment by moment choice and surrender.
Gateway to Presence: If you want to go deeper with today’s meditation, take note of what word or phrase stands out to you. Come back to that word or phrase throughout the day, being present to its impact and invitation.
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[1] Rami Shapiro, Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent: Sacred Teachings—Annotated & Explained (Skylight Paths Publishing: 2013), xiv.[2] Kabir Edmund Helminski, Living Presence: A Sufi Way to Mindfulness & the Essential Self (Jeremy P. Tarcher/Putnam: 1992), 6.
Adapted from Richard Rohr, Eager to Love: The Alternative Way of Francis of Assisi (Franciscan Media: 2014), 70.
Image credit: Broken Obelisk (detail), by Barnett Newman. A permanent installation in the reflecting pool on the grounds of the Rothko Chapel, Houston, Texas, United States.
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Thank you for being part of CAC’s contemplative community. You are one of 291,469 readers worldwide (as of July 2018).
News from the CAC
Last chance to register!
Breathing Under Water:
A Spiritual Study of the Twelve Steps
August 22-October 17, 2018
You cannot heal what you do not first acknowledge. (Richard Rohr)
This self-paced, online course explores Richard Rohr’s classic book, Breathing Under Water. Apply wisdom from Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian contemplative tradition to your own life and addictions.
Registration closes August 8! Register now (no application needed) at cac.org.
Registration is now open to the public!
The Universal Christ: Another Name for Every Thing a conference with Richard Rohr, Jacqui Lewis, and John Dominic Crossan
March 28-31, 2019
Albuquerque Convention Center, New Mexico
Online Webcast
What if Christ is a name for the transcendent within of every “thing” in the universe?
What if Christ is another name for every thing—in its fullness? (Richard Rohr)
Join us as we explore the central themes of Father Richard’s new book (available Spring 2019) and discover the roots of the universal Christ in the rich history of the Christian tradition. Experience a new approach to the Easter liturgy as we consider Holy Week through this larger, cosmic view of Christ.
Learn more and register soon! If you’re not able to join us in person, we hope you’ll register for the online experience to watch the live webcast or enjoy the recordings.
"Image and Likeness"
2018 Daily Meditations Theme
God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26)
Richard Rohr explores places in which God’s presence has often been ignored or assumed absent. God’s “image” is our inherent identity in and union with God, an eternal essence that cannot be destroyed. “Likeness” is our personal embodiment of that inner divine image that we have the freedom to develop—or not—throughout our lives. Though we differ in likeness, the imago Dei persists and shines through all created things.
Over the course of this year’s Daily Meditations, discover opportunities to incarnate love in your unique context by unveiling the Image and Likeness of God in all that you see and do.
Each week builds on previous topics, but you can join at any time! Click the video to learn more about the theme and to find meditations you may have missed.
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Inspiration for this week's banner image: Awakening the essential Self is one reason that the Center for Action and Contemplation is dedicated to reinvigorating the teaching of Christian contemplation. The consistent practice of contemplation helps to uncover our essential Self, our connected Self, our True Self. (Richard Rohr)
Thank you for being part of CAC’s contemplative community. You are one of 291,469 readers worldwide (as of July 2018).
News from the CAC
Last chance to register!
Breathing Under Water:
A Spiritual Study of the Twelve Steps
August 22-October 17, 2018
You cannot heal what you do not first acknowledge. (Richard Rohr)
This self-paced, online course explores Richard Rohr’s classic book, Breathing Under Water. Apply wisdom from Alcoholics Anonymous and the Christian contemplative tradition to your own life and addictions.
Registration closes August 8! Register now (no application needed) at cac.org.
Registration is now open to the public!
The Universal Christ: Another Name for Every Thing a conference with Richard Rohr, Jacqui Lewis, and John Dominic Crossan
March 28-31, 2019
Albuquerque Convention Center, New Mexico
Online Webcast
What if Christ is a name for the transcendent within of every “thing” in the universe?
What if Christ is another name for every thing—in its fullness? (Richard Rohr)
Join us as we explore the central themes of Father Richard’s new book (available Spring 2019) and discover the roots of the universal Christ in the rich history of the Christian tradition. Experience a new approach to the Easter liturgy as we consider Holy Week through this larger, cosmic view of Christ.
Learn more and register soon! If you’re not able to join us in person, we hope you’ll register for the online experience to watch the live webcast or enjoy the recordings.
"Image and Likeness"
2018 Daily Meditations Theme
God said, “Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26)
Richard Rohr explores places in which God’s presence has often been ignored or assumed absent. God’s “image” is our inherent identity in and union with God, an eternal essence that cannot be destroyed. “Likeness” is our personal embodiment of that inner divine image that we have the freedom to develop—or not—throughout our lives. Though we differ in likeness, the imago Dei persists and shines through all created things.
Over the course of this year’s Daily Meditations, discover opportunities to incarnate love in your unique context by unveiling the Image and Likeness of God in all that you see and do.
Each week builds on previous topics, but you can join at any time! Click the video to learn more about the theme and to find meditations you may have missed.
Richard Rohr's Daily Meditations are made possible through the generosity of CAC's donors. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation.
If you would like to change how often you receive emails from CAC, click here. If you would like to change your email address, click here. Visit our Email Subscription FAQ page for more information. Submit an inquiry here for additional assistance.
Inspiration for this week's banner image: Awakening the essential Self is one reason that the Center for Action and Contemplation is dedicated to reinvigorating the teaching of Christian contemplation. The consistent practice of contemplation helps to uncover our essential Self, our connected Self, our True Self. (Richard Rohr)
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