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

Last updated on: April 9, 2018 at 3:49 pm 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

Last updated on: December 15, 2018 at 3:27 pm 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)

Last updated on: March 23, 2018 at 1:14 pm 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

Last updated on: January 2, 2020 at 10:01 pm 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)

Last updated on: March 14, 2018 at 5:31 pm 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

Last updated on: March 13, 2018 at 1:36 pm 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!

Last updated on: May 1, 2018 at 11:28 pm 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)

Last updated on: March 8, 2018 at 5:05 pm 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

Periodicals That Contemplatives Will Enjoy

Last updated on: March 6, 2018 at 8:59 am By Carl McColman

Yesterday I received this message: Hi, Mr. McColman, Quick question. Are there any periodicals, journals, etc. that publish primarily articles about the subjects about you write that you recommend? Best regards and looking forward to the new book. This is a great question and unfortunately I don’t know of a mainstream journal or magazine that publishes literature specifically for contemplatives and students of mysticism. I imagine some magazines associated with Catholic religious orders, like America (published by the Jesuits) or St. Anthony Messenger (published... Read more

Here’s an Idea for Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day (That Doesn’t Involve Green Beer)

Last updated on: March 5, 2018 at 11:14 pm By Carl McColman

This year, for St. Patrick’s day, why not take a Celtic spirituality e-course? Alternatively, give the course as a gift to a friend! Click here to learn more about an e-course called “Celtic Spirituality: At the Edge of Mystery.” It’s an on-demand course which I developed last fall in partnership with the good folks at Spirituality & Practice. Here’s the description of the course: Shrouded in legend and imbued with romance, the Celtic lands such as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales... Read more