The Big Book of Christian Mysticism: The Essential Guide to Contemplative Spirituality is now available! Ask for it at your neighborhood bookstore, or order it online by clicking here.
A Kiss from Mom and a Lesson About Suffering
Early this morning (August 15, 2009) I had a dream in which I was standing outside a building, like an officer’s club on a small military base. It felt like…
Some Things Last (Benjamin Button, Contemplation, and Impermanence)
Fran and I went to see The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Everyone is comparing it to Forrest Gump, but I think it’s more like what would happen if you…
At the Botanical Gardens
Pretty much every Sunday Fran, Rhiannon and I drive to Athens, GA, where my father lives. We take him out to lunch and sometimes do other fun stuff — like…
The Feast of St. Benedict: Ad Deificum Lumen
Today is the feast of St. Benedict. This morning at mass, Father Tom Francis (who works with me at the Abbey Store) preached on the Rule and on his life…
China
Fran and I are going through various CDs in which we’ve archived photos taken over the last five years, and finding a few odd treasures here and there. Here’s a…
Perfectly Perfect
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” This saying of Jesus, from the heart of his Sermon on the Mount, might possibly be the single most misunderstood verse…
Remembering John O’Donohue
I am saddened to have learned of the passing of John O’Donohue, author of Anam Ċara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom, yesterday (January 4, 2008). He died peacefully in his sleep…
Nasty
The other day I took a walk with a friend of mine, about my age, who is going through a spiritual transition. He was at one point a very devout…
Everything you always wanted to know about Christian mysticism (but were afraid to ask)
Hey you! Yes, that’s right… you, the person reading these words right now. I need your help. Don’t go away — please read this post and take a moment to…
Julian (1987-2007)
The oldest of our four cats has died. Julian (yes, named after the English mystic) came to live with me as an adorable calico kitten in the fall of 1987….
Brigid’s Well, Tully, County Kildare, Ireland
Brigid’s Well, Tully, County Kildare, Ireland This page features photos of Brigid’s Well in County Kildare, Ireland. This well is a lovely example of the ongoing practice of water veneration…