A reader named Thomas wrote to me: Dear Sir; Blessings. Where can a person go to be a hermit. I am called to a life of solitude. But I don’t know where to go. Do you have any ideas? Dear Thomas, Thanks for writing. Feeling called to a life of…… Read more at Patheos
Category: Contemplation
After the Silence, or, the Long Process of Forming a Contemplative Life
So you’ve been to a centering prayer workshop or two, and now you participate in a weekly centering prayer group. You are committed to praying silently twice a day — at least most days. You go on retreat at a monastery or retreat center once or twice a year, and…… Read more at Patheos
The Heart Symphony: Another Perspective on a Contemplative Prayer Word
In response to my post Can Christians Use a (Non-Christian) Mantra?, a reader posted this comment on social media: As opposed to being an instrument of thought, when I use a mantra, which now being a Centering Prayer practitioner is rare, what it creates for me is a vibrational, harmonic integration…… Read more at Patheos
Letting Go Of (Our Limited Image of) God
“God loves us whether we remain Christian or not.” That’s a statement I made in a previous post, How Should a Christian Respond When a Friend Becomes Interested in Witchcraft and Magic? In response to this, a reader wrote this to me: This is why I love your writing. That said,…… Read more at Patheos
How To Know When to Speak (and When to Be Silent)
Recently I posted this on Facebook: In response, a reader made this comment: Carl, it took time, but about 10 years ago I finally fell In love with silence and the heart of God I find there. This past week though, as so many people on the national stage are…… Read more at Patheos
Two Questions on the Practice of Silent Prayer
A reader of this blog wrote to me about the practice of silent prayer. He alluded to a comment I made in an interview where I talked about allowing my breath to be my “prayer word” — in other words, instead of focussing my attention by silently repeating a single…… Read more at Patheos
Contemplating the Sacred Word
A reader wrote this message to me recently: Carl, I just recently started centering prayer as my form of meditation. Here is my dilemma: I find myself picking a word without really knowing why and the midway through the meditation feeling some kind of inadequacy in it so then picking…… Read more at Patheos
Four Keys to a Contemplative Life (Courtesy of Psalm 37)
For years now I have loved Psalm 37, for it includes one of my favorite verses in all of scripture: Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4) But there’s much more to this Psalm than that one splendid verse, excellent as…… Read more at Patheos
The Self, Self-Esteem, and Dying to Self: Contemplative Spirituality and the Ego
A reader of this blog named John wrote to me a while back and asked this question: In your opinion, what role does self worth play in faith and from where does self worth come? Since it’s a broad question, I wrote back to him to get a bit of…… Read more at Patheos
On the Contemplative Role of the Ear… and the Tongue (Lectio Divina Diligens for Palm Sunday)
Here is the final installment of my Lenten series on Lectio Divina I’m calling Lectio Divina Diligens. Click on the link to read about this idea, if you’re not familiar with…
What to Do When Prayer Gets Dull
A reader writes: Hi Carl, hope you’re well. Just wanted to pick your brain again! I’ve encountered a new issue in my meditation, maybe you can help. I’ve realised that…
Periodicals That Contemplatives Will Enjoy
Yesterday I received this message: Hi, Mr. McColman, Quick question. Are there any periodicals, journals, etc. that publish primarily articles about the subjects about you write that you recommend? Best…