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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Week of 12/5-12/10: An Exploration of the Qualities of Peace and Repose |
Each Sunday we offer a brief summary of the meditations from the previous week as a kind of “index” inviting you to return to a previous meditation which may call to you. |
December 5, 2022. Advent, Winter, Darkness, and
Repose.
In this meditation, we look at the quality of “repose” and how necessary it is in the midst of the busyness of this holiday season. Matthew reminds us that “repose is at the heart of our inner work” which can then feed and steer our outer work. Meister Eckhart says, “The divine nature is repose” and God seeks “to draw all creatures with him back again to their origin, which is repose.” | |
December 6, 2022.
Repose among All Creatures and Divinity Itself.
In this meditation we explore the verse from Sirach 24.11: “In all things I sought rest.” Meister Eckhart cites St. Anselm: [First] withdraw a little from the commotion of external deeds. Second, flee, and counsel yourself before the storms of thoughts that also bring great unrest to the soul. Third, people can request nothing more precious than
repose. |
December 7, 2022. The Panentheistic Pleasure of Repose.
Panentheism is about God being in us, and us being in God. Meister Eckart talks about this when he says: After knowledge has conducted the soul to God the highest power comes forward—this is love—and penetrates God and leads the soul with knowledge and with all its other powers into God, and is united with God.… Eckhart also tells us: All
creatures seek repose from their efforts, whether they know it or not. | | | |
December 8, 2022. Black Elk on Peace and Repose.
In this meditation, we explore Native American traditions on the subject of peace and repose. Oglala Lakota medicine man Black Elk shares this profound thought: The first peace, which is the most
important, is that which comes within the souls of people when they realize their relationship, their oneness, with the universe and all its powers, and when they realize that at the center of the universe dwells Wakan-Tanka, and that this center is really everywhere, it is within each of us. This is the real peace…. |
December 9, 2022. The Bhagavad
Gita and Upanishads on Peace and Repose.
The sacred Upanishads of Hinduism tell us something very beautiful: (There) is a Light that shines beyond all things on earth, beyond us all, beyond the heavens….This is the Light that shines in our heart. The Upanishads continue with these profound thoughts: The little space within the heart is as great as this vast universe. The heavens and the earth are there, and the sun, and the
moon, and the stars; fire and lightning and winds are there; and all that now is and all that is not: for the whole universe is in him and he dwells within our heart. |
December 10, 2022. Thomas Merton on Repose, Silence, and
Advent.
On this 54th anniversary of the death of activist/monk Thomas Merton, we explore some of the beautiful things he wrote about the need for silence and repose. He said, for instance, “Contemplation is essentially a listening in silence, an expectancy.” And also “love winter when the plant says nothing” and “Be in the midst of nature! The woods and nature should be part of your
solitude.” |
The Martyrdom of Thomas Merton by David Martin and Hugh Turley explores the belief that Merton was killed for his outspoken opposition to the Vietnam
War. |
One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global
Faiths Matthew Fox calls on all the world traditions for their wisdom and their inspiration in a work that is far more than a list of theological position papers but a new way to pray—to meditate in a global spiritual context on the wisdom
all our traditions share. Fox chooses 18 themes that are foundational to any spirituality and demonstrates how all the world spiritual traditions offer wisdom about each.
“Reading One River, Many Wells is like entering the rich silence of a masterfully directed retreat. As you read this text, you reflect, you pray, you embrace Divinity. Truly no words can fully express my respect and awe for this magnificent contribution to contemporary
spirituality.” –Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit | |
Passion for Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart
Matthew Fox’s comprehensive translation of Meister Eckhart’s sermons is a meeting of true prophets across centuries, resulting in a spirituality for the new millennium. The holiness of creation, the divine life in each person and the divine power of our creativity, our call to do justice and practice compassion–these are among Eckhart’s themes, brilliantly interpreted and explained for today’s reader.
“The most
important book on mysticism in 500 years.” — Madonna Kolbenschlag, author of Kissing Sleeping Beauty
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A Way to God: Thomas Merton’s Creation Spirituality Journey In A Way to God, Fox explores Merton’s pioneering work in interfaith, his essential teachings on mixing contemplation and action, and how the vision of Meister Eckhart profoundly influenced Merton in what Fox calls his Creation Spirituality journey.
“This wise and marvelous book will profoundly inspire all
those who love Merton and want to know him more deeply.” — Andrew Harvey, author of The Hope: A Guide to Sacred Activism Goodbye. | |
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Upcoming Events See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
Join Matthew Fox for the monthly Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, discussing Christian Mystics: 365 Readings and Meditations.
Thursday, December 15, 4:00pm-6:00pm PT Register HERE. |
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