A Conversation with Richard Rohr, OFM

April 25, 2018 By Carl McColman

Richard Rohr — author of numerous books on the contemplative dimension of spirituality, including Everything Belongs and The Naked Now — is the guest on our latest episode of the Encountering Silence podcast. Cassidy, Kevin and I recorded a Skype conversation with Fr. Richard earlier this month, where he joined us from his hermitage in New Mexico, to reflect with us on the relationship between silence and contemplation, between contemplation and action, the importance of Thomas Merton in his own spiritual development, and the... Read more

Talking About Mysticism in Manhattan (April 22, 2018)

April 13, 2018 By Carl McColman

There are still a few openings in the class I’m teaching in Manhattan on April 22, 2018. If you live in or near New York, I hope I’ll see you there. The class is called Be Still and Know: Reclaiming the Lost Art of Christian Contemplation and Meditation. Click on the title to learn more or to register. It runs on Sunday, April 22, from 9:30 AM to 4 PM, at the New York Open Center on 30th Street. Of... Read more

The Heart of the Gospel is Love (and Richard Rohr is an Expert Guide)

April 9, 2018 By Carl McColman

I have spent the last several days simply devouring Richard Rohr’s newest book, Essential Teachings on Love. It’s the latest volume of Orbis Books’s wonderful “Modern Spiritual Masters” series. As a compendium of writings spanning pretty much the entirety of Rohr’s career, this book is an excellent introduction to the key contours of his ideas and teaching. But it’s not just a book for people who are new to Richard. Since it is arranged chronologically, with ample commentary provided by the... Read more

Meet Julian of Norwich

March 26, 2018 By Carl McColman

I created this video using photographs that Fran and I took in Norwich, along with a few book covers and a wonderful photo of the stained glass of Julian in Norwich Cathedral, used by permission of the photographer. It’s just a brief little introduction to who Julian is, and why she matters. Less than 3 minutes long. Hope you enjoy it. And please, share it far and wide! The books that are featured in the video are two of my... Read more

On the Contemplative Role of the Ear… and the Tongue (Lectio Divina Diligens for Palm Sunday)

March 23, 2018 By Carl McColman

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 it. March 25 brings Lent to a close with Palm Sunday, marking the beginning of Holy Week. This week let’s reflect on the first reading, found in Isaiah 50:4-7. Lectio — reading 4 The Lord God has given me a well-trained tongue, That I might know how to answer the weary a... Read more

What to Do When Prayer Gets Dull

March 20, 2018 By Carl McColman

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 after a series of profound and deep mystical experiences during meditation, my practice has become dulled, difficult. It took me a while to figure out why. What’s actually happening is that after my mystical experiences, I have become afraid of the awesome power of God in the present moment. “It’s... Read more

God’s Guidance, Engraved on Our Hearts (Lectio Divina Diligens for the Fifth Sunday of Lent)

March 15, 2018 By Carl McColman

Our Lenten journey continues with a twist on Lectio Divina I’m calling Lectio Divina Diligens. Click on the link to read about this idea, if you’re not familiar with it. March 18 marks the fifth Sunday of Lent — the last Sunday before Palm Sunday. This week let’s reflect on the first reading, found in Jeremiah 31:31-34. Lectio — reading See, days are coming—oracle of the Lord—when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of... Read more

Three Evelyn Underhill Anthologies To Inspire Your Contemplative Practice

March 12, 2018 By Carl McColman

It’s no secret that I consider Evelyn Underhill one of the most important Christian mystics of the twentieth century. She’s nowhere near as well-known as Thomas Merton or Simone Weil or Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, but her contribution to Christian spirituality is as great as each of those more renowned figures. Evelyn Underhill’s biographer Dana Greene has called her an Artist of the Infinite Life. For Underhill, Christian mysticism is shaped by two key characteristics: artistry and ordinariness. She recognized that one... Read more

The Little Book of Christian Mysticism is Now Available!

March 12, 2018 By Carl McColman

I’m pleased to announce that The Little Book of Christian Mysticism has been published. If you have pre-ordered the book through Amazon or another bookseller, you should be receiving your copy within the next few weeks (depending on how fast they are at fulfilling orders). The Little Book of Christian Mysticism collects over 300 quotes from a variety of Christian mystics, including Julian of Norwich, Evelyn Underhill, Teresa of Ávila, John of the Cross, Bernard of Clairvaux, Francis de Sales, and many... Read more

God’s Love is a Gift (Lectio Divina Diligens for the Fourth Sunday of Lent)

March 8, 2018 By Carl McColman

We continue our journey through Lent with a twist on Lectio Divina I’m calling Lectio Divina Diligens. Click on the link to read about this idea, if you’re not familiar with it. We’ve come to the fourth Sunday of Lent. Once again let’s look at the second reading: the Epistle Reading, Ephesians 2:4-10. Lectio — reading God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love he had for us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, brought us to life... Read more