This morning on Public Radio I heard someone quote a line that Mark Twain spoke when speaking to a group of teachers in New York City, way back in March…
Author: Carl McColman
Soul Friend and Storyteller. Lay Cistercian, Centering Prayer Presenter, Author, Blogger, Podcaster, Speaker, Teacher, Retreat Leader.
Live in Atlanta (or feel like making a road trip)? Celebrate with Me on June 4!
This is a “Save the Date” post — I’ve confirmed with Ignatius House that on June 4, we will host an evening event to celebrate the publication of Read the Bible…
What is this blog about? Ask AI…
One of the most difficult aspects of being a solo/self-employed writer is coming up with marketing materials to introduce people to me and my work. Publishers, retreat planners, and others…
Who are the Essential Mystics?
A reader of this blog wrote the following message to me… Hi Carl. Thank you for all of the incredible information about mysticism on your website. It’s been a tremendous…
Mark Your Calendars — Upcoming Events in Georgia, South Carolina, Maryland…
Hi friends, just want to make sure you’re aware of some upcoming events I have scheduled. Especially if you can join me in person in Georgia, South Carolina, or Maryland…
Can Love Be Saved?
Can Love Be Saved? Recently I was speaking with a friend of mine who is a hospital chaplain. She was lamenting how challenging it is sometimes to bring a prayerful…
The Theology of the Hail Mary: Contemplative Wisdom or Dualistic Fear?
A long-term reader of this blog recently wrote to me and posed this question: Carl, what do you think the last line of the Hail Mary means? “Holy Mary, Mother…
Pre-Order “Read the Bible Like a Mystic” Today
Hello friends, here’s just a friendly reminder to pre-order your copy of Read the Bible Like a Mystic today. Where to buy Read the Bible Like a Mystic: Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Broadleaf Books…
Quotations and an Examen for Making Our Contemplative Practice Real
This weekend I had the honor of giving the closing talk at the 2025 Centering Prayer Summit, sponsored by Closer Than Breath. Since my talk was the last talk of…
Guidelines for Centering Prayer (Video)
This video is an excerpt from a talk I gave recently on Patreon, as part of my new Practical Mysticism series of monthly Zoom calls. It’s simply my explanation of…
Judge or Healer: Some Thoughts on a Mystical Approach to God
A reader of this blog recently wrote this message to me: Hi Carl, I recently enjoyed your book Eternal Heart. I have a fundamentalist/Evangelical background and am relatively new to…
The Radical Sacred Podcast: A Conversation About Contemplation, Mysticism and Merton
I recently was invited to be a guest on the “Radical Sacred” podcast, hosted by spiritual director Jenny Misslin and Methodist minister the Rev. Phillip Dieke. They had gotten their…