Practices From the Inside Out: Celebrating Our Revolutionary Independence

Last updated on: June 30, 2022 at 3:52 am By Greg Richardson

Celebrating Our Revolutionary Independence Monday is the anniversary of the day 246 years ago when we declared our revolutionary independence. Our nation began with a revolution. There was a war, but the revolution came first and it is what we celebrate. We began with a revolution in how we see ourselves. Many of us will spend Monday grilling and eating, then blowing things up in the evening. Across the country most of us will celebrate our revolutionary independence the same ways everyone... Read more

Spiritual Direction: How Much Further Can We Go?

Last updated on: June 28, 2022 at 3:52 am By Greg Richardson

How Much Further Can We Go? There are days, sometimes weeks or years, when we wonder how much further we can go. Sometimes it feels like a long time since we made any progress or accomplished anything. We worry we are stuck or sitting up on blocks turning to rust. Maybe we feel we are coasting, relying on our past achievements. We might be frustrated because other people do not seem to even remember our most significant work. We feel... Read more

Practices From the Inside Out: How Are We Practicing Summer This Year?

Last updated on: June 23, 2022 at 3:35 am By Greg Richardson

How Are We Practicing Summer? Many of us have begun to understand summer in new ways during the last few years. How are we practicing summer this year? Some of us see summer as a time to get away. The kids are out of school and we can spend more time together. Summer may feel a little calmer or more deliberate than the rest of the year. We have more time for picnics, corn on the cob, and fireworks. For other people, summer... Read more

Monastic Strategies: Having a Rule of Life

Last updated on: June 21, 2022 at 3:53 am By Greg Richardson

Having a Rule of Life Some people who talk about spiritual life describe having or following a rule of life. The monastery where I am a lay Oblate has an Oblate rule of life on its website at New Camaldoli Hermitage. Some of us might believe in following the rules, while others of us have a more difficult relationship to rules.. We might be convinced rules exist for a reason. Following certain rules can keep us safe. We may not... Read more

Listening to Sacred Stillness: Stillness Extends Under the Surface

Last updated on: June 16, 2022 at 3:55 am By Greg Richardson

Stillness Extends Under the Surface It can be tempting to spend our time skimming across the surface of life. We believe we are doing well, floating along, letting life carry us. We may even feel satisfied. Going under the surface is intimidating, too much of a challenge for us. We realize, though, riding along the surface is wearing us out. There are so many things to distract us, to confuse us, to draw us out of our rhythm. Some days it seems... Read more

Spiritual Direction: Contemplative Conversations Online

Last updated on: June 14, 2022 at 3:49 am By Greg Richardson

Contemplative Conversations Online Many of us are struggling to know how to have meaningful contemplative conversations. We feel like we have lost significant connections during the pandemic and do not know where to go find new connections. Some of us are uncomfortable or skeptical about having contemplative conversations online. What are the significant questions or insights we would like to reflect on with other people? Most of us would like some help sorting out and understanding life’s larger questions.... Read more

Monastic Strategies, Book Reviews: A Conversation With Mark Dowd

Last updated on: June 7, 2022 at 3:33 am By Greg Richardson

A Conversation With Mark Dowd I posted a review of My Tsunami Journey by Mark Dowd a few weeks ago, just before Easter. Reading Mark’s book sparked my interest and my curiosity. I checked his website and looked into what else he had written. Mark has written another book and several television productions. What I learned made me more curious and I decided to keep asking questions. Mark generously agreed to listen to my questions. We began a conversation which... Read more

Listening to Sacred Stillness: On the Final Morning in May

Last updated on: May 31, 2022 at 4:01 am By Greg Richardson

On the Final Morning in May The mourning dove which has adopted us and our neighbors encourages me to rise on the final morning in May. There are only three more weeks of spring left before summer, but the sun is still not yet up. I get up slowly, reluctant to greet this final morning of May. Fumbling in the dark, I avoid significant injury and begin to follow my morning routines. After completing a few tasks I sit down... Read more

A Litany in the Wake of a Mass Shooting

Last updated on: May 26, 2022 at 6:15 am By Greg Richardson

Litany in the Wake of a Mass Shooting from Bishops United Against Gun Violence. God of peace, we remember all those who have died in incidents of mass gun violence in this nation’s public and private spaces. Six dead at the Wisconsin Sikh Temple. Give to the departed eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. Twelve dead at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater. Give to the departed eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. Twenty-eight dead at Sandy... Read more

Practices From the Inside Out: A Week to Remember

Last updated on: May 24, 2022 at 3:46 am By Greg Richardson

A Week to Remember This is a week for remembering and reflecting on how we remember. In the moments between working and sleeping in, grilling and eating, sporting events, and special sales, we will remember. I have to admit remembering is not something I particularly enjoy doing. It is not because I have a problem remembering facts or information. I am not good at remembering my passwords, but no longer need to remember phone numbers. The real challenges for me are... Read more