Ancient Wisdom for Modern Seekers
Sometimes the Bible is telling us about a real life event, like the exile to Babylon; and sometimes the stories of the Bible are metaphors, like Adam and Eve. But that doesn't mean we should throw out the story. It isn't wrong just because it's a metaphor. We need to find out what that metaphor is saying to us, because that is where the truth resides.
Dionysius teaches us the mystical side of Christianity through a Neo-Platonist lens and the result is beautiful and life changing. It is the foundation upon which many great mystics such as Meister Eckhart and the Cloud of Unknowing are built
Gender is a big topic in general and there has been lots of disccussion about how we should approach it from a Christian perspective. As a cis gendered straight dude, I am hesitant to give my opinion but I hope that this reflection can shed some light on this topic nontheless.
I would like to start the discussion with a little scripture and then talk about what Julian of Norwhich had to say about it.
John Scotus Eriugena, or John the Scot, was a philosopher of the middle ages. He had many academic accomplishments including his famous work Periphyseon. Eriugena shared the ancient Christian belief of deification, or the idea that humans are meant to become like Christ and share in His nature. Eriugena discussed this idea in his homily … Continue reading Eriugena: The Celtic Teacher of Deification
That solitude and silence are great assets to the spiritual life is a truth universally acknowledged. But not many of us have the luxury of them laid out for us. We have to go in search of them. Sometimes that means going on retreat, or carving out for ourselves slabs of early morning or late evening, or between school runs, when we know we won’t be disturbed.
The Cloud of Unknowing is a book which has changed many lives. It is an essential practical handbook of contemplative prayer in the West. It is the foundation upon which Centering Prayer is built. And It has shaped my life profoundly. The Book itself starts with this prayer: O God unto whom all hearts lie … Continue reading The Cloud of Unknowing
Pelagius is a very controversial figure. The Pelagian Heresy has been thought of by many to be the most commonly recurring heresy. It keeps popping up here, there, and everywhere. But heresy is in the eye of the beholder, and Pelagius felt that the notion of original sin itself was heretical.
Today is the first Sunday of the month when we share guest posts from people living and teaching the Contemplative and/or Celtic Christian way around the globe. One of the beautiful things about the internet is that people doing amazing things in isolated parts of the world can learn from one another and grow together. … Continue reading Conversion and Commitment: Discerning the Call
There are places of beautiful mystery in the natural world. I bet you've found one at some point in your life. Maybe you've been lucky enough to find many of them. In the Celtic tradition these places are called Thin Places. This is because the veil which separates Heaven from Earth is thin. You feel like you could almost touch Heaven, or even taste it.
I would like to share a guest post with you today. This is a piece written by Mark Condy. Mark is Celtic Christian living in Ohio. He has a blog on Celtic Christian spirituality which you can find here. I hope you enjoy his reflection! I got up and hastily threw my clothes on; I … Continue reading What is your favourite trysting-place?