The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers
Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox
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Aquinas on Angels, Love and Intuition
According to Aquinas, “angels cannot help loving, by force of nature. The will of angels is by nature loving.” The universe, inhabited by angels, is neither impersonal nor neutral. There is a lot of love going on.
Angels are compassionate beings that care and love. Sheldrake observes that:
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...the gravitational field unifies the whole universe. Like love, it is unifying by its nature. But we usually think of gravitational attraction as a completely unconscious process. To introduce this element of consciousness [that Aquinas does] goes far beyond the field concept of contemporary science.
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We have metaphors that connect gravity and love, such as “falling in love.” It is good to know that we are loved by cosmic forces like angels, since there are times when human love fails us.
Aquinas was convinced that angels or spirits play an important role in bringing the prophetic imagination alive in people. He believed that angels learn exclusively by intuition and a lot of prophetic insight derives from intuition.
The divine enlightenments and revelations are conveyed from God to humans by the angels. . . . Prophetic revelation which is conveyed by the ministry of the angels, is said to be divine [revelations].
Dreams often play a part in the process of waking prophets up, and Aquinas recognized that explicitly. This is why he insisted that “angels carry thoughts from prophet to prophet.” The image I get from this observation is that of bees carrying pollen from flower to flower.
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| Since Aquinas teaches that angels learn exclusively by intuition—they
don’t need schools, teachers, or books—it follows that when we become more in touch with our intuition or mysticism, it is very likely that we will come into contact with angels. As we mature into our mystical brain you can expect more encounters with angels.
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Einstein says that intuition and deep feeling are the same thing. Angels “hitchhike” on the highway of intuition.
After all, the word “muse”—from which we get “music” and “museum”—refers to those angels that accompany us during our most creative times. Many artists encounter angels or spirits in their creative moments. It wouldn’t hurt to invite angels into one’s life when one is busy solving problems or creating art.
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Queries for Contemplation
What follows from Aquinas’s teachings that angels cannot help but love? And that angels learn exclusively from intuition?
Adapted from Matthew Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas, pp. 159-164.
See also Matthew Fox and Rupert Sheldrake, The Physics of Angels.
Banner Image: The insights of divinely inspired intuition. Photo by Bart LaRue on Unsplash.
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Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times
A stunning spiritual handbook drawn from the substantive teachings of Aquinas’ mystical/prophetic genius, offering a sublime roadmap for spirituality and action.
Foreword by Ilia Delio.
“What a wonderful book! Only Matt Fox could bring to life the wisdom and brilliance of Aquinas with so much creativity. The Tao of Thomas Aquinas is a masterpiece.”
–Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit
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The Physics of Angels: Exploring the Realm Where Science & Spirit Meet
When was the last time a scientist and a theologian discussed angels together? What are angels? Many people believe in angels, but few can define these enigmatic spirits. Now visionary theologian Matthew Fox and acclaimed biologist Rupert Sheldrake—pioneers in modern religious thinking and scientific theory—launch a groundbreaking exploration into the ancient concept of the angel and restore
dignity, meaning, and joy to our time-honored belief in these heavenly beings.
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Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, please click HERE
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See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE
Join Matthew Fox at the monthly Our Lady of the Prairie Virtual Retreat with a discussion of The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times. Thursday, July 14, 4:00pm-6:00pm PT (GMT/UTC-7)
Register HERE
Join Matthew Fox for the monthly Our Lady of the Prairie virtual retreat, discussing One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths. Thursday, August 18, 4:00-6:00pm PT. Learn more HERE.
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Creation Spirituality in Conversation.
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Victor Fuhrman of Destination Unlimited on OMTimes interviews Matthew Fox on Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality. Navigate to the podcast page by clicking the image on the left.
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Announcing Matthew Fox's Newest Book!
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Matthew Fox: Essential Writings on Creation Spirituality
Selected with an introduction by Charles Burack
“This collection of Fox’s most life-giving insights blesses the connection between caring for our Mother-the-Earth and lifting up marginalized voices, between waking up from the dream of separation and stepping up to mend the net of creation.”
—Mirabai Starr, author, God of Love and Wild Mercy
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