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The Christian Contemplative Tradition

Catholicism and Eastern Orthodoxy have a long tradition of teaching contemplation or nondual consciousness. But its systematic teaching was primarily held in the Eastern “Greek” church; the Western “Latin” church was more extroverted and aligned with empires. Serious contemplative teaching—very upfront in the desert fathers and mothers—is surely found in Celtic Christianity (outside of empire), and is continued by leaders of many monasteries, for example, by John Cassian (360–435 CE), Pseudo-Dionysius (5th–6th centuries), and Hugh

Are you Over-Bearing? Knowing How to Teach.

Are You Over-Bearing?  The Superior must not reprove with anger. An angry or violent reproof does not set the brother free from his fault but it throws the Superior into a state of sin. That is why the Bible says: ‘The Lord’s servant must be … forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness.’ [2 Tim. 2:24-25] We ought not to be inflamed with anger when others have offended us, nor should we show ourselves too indulgent

Thursday after Pentecost. The Purpose of the Church

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42 Many times, even those who are very involved in the church (this includes priests, Parish Council members, Sunday School teachers and others in church leadership) forget about the true purpose of the church. As we continue to discuss the life of the early church, today’s verse mentions the main activities of the early church, activities

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent. Martha Actually Set a Great Example

She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, he who is coming into the world.” John 11:27 (Gospel on the Saturday of Lazarus) Most of us are familiar with the story of Mary and Martha, told in Luke 10:38-42. Jesus visited their home. Mary was sitting and listening to Jesus’ teaching, while Martha was running around serving. Martha got frustrated and went to Jesus and said