Contemplative Practice Center for Action and Contemplation

Arriving

Arriving Bring to mind a moment from your life that has directly or indirectly led you to this moment of being here at this conference. Pause to let the sense of God’s presence and your presence in that moment deepen.

Contemplative Practice Why we practice How we practice Practicing together

Why We Practice Contemplation is an entirely new way of knowing the world that has the power to move us beyond mere ideology and dualistic thinking. Mature religion will always lead us to some form of prayer, meditation, or contemplation to balance out our daily calculating mind. Believe me, it is major surgery, and you must practice it for years to begin to rewire your egocentric responses. —Fr. Richard Rohr

To Follow Jesus’ Path of Surrender Why We Practice To Follow Jesus’ Path of Surrender Jesus models a path of manifesting Divine love that appears to be conditionally rooted in the surrender of one’s will, into the larger will of the Divine. Jesus’ prayer at Gethsemane, “…not my will, but yours, be done,” (Luke 22:42) demonstrates the self-emptying nature of Divine love.

To Open Ourselves to Having our Mind Changed Why We Practice To Open Ourselves to Having our Mind Changed Metanoia, Jesus’ first message: “Change your mind, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” —Matthew 4:17 “Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 2:5

Why We Practice To Become Present To build trust in God and find an increasing sense of contentment beyond our current circumstance. This enables us to be present to each moment without the need to control or change it.

Why We Practice To Experience Union “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” —John 17: 22

To Participate In The World Like Jesus Why We Practice To Participate In The World Like Jesus “We do not think ourselves into a new way of living, but we live ourselves into a new way of thinking.” —Fr. Richard Rohr We participate in God’s/Love’s desire to awaken the world to its presence by becoming it.

Contemplative Practice

Components of Contemplative Practice I desire that “not my will, but yours, be done” (Luke 22:42). I need God’s help. Intention I am attentive to the sensation of my body, head, and heart. Awareness I begin with a “yes” to be present to reality and the mystery of God in all that arises. Acceptance I let go of all that arises in order to participate in the eternal flow of Love. Surrender I handle myself tenderly and lovingly and carry this into the world. Love

The Contemplative Life Occurs Eventually we hope to participate in all of life as a contemplative practice of surrendering our own will to Love so that we may take loving action in the world.

Setting an Intention for the Conference Sense an awareness of yourself in connection with community and how you participate here and out in the world. Be a loving presence as you notice your strong reactions (likes and dislikes) with compassion and playfulness. Recognize your inner yearning to understand and get it right and surrender the frustration of not knowing or not getting it. Take time to move your body and get re-grounded in the entirety of your being.

Practicing Together