The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Replacing Dualism &
War with
Non-dualism, Interdependence, Compassion 11/17/2023 |
Dualism is the basis of all war. It creates either/or thinking. Subject/object thinking is necessary for carrying on wars. |
Mysticism is non-dualism. Julian of Norwich invented the word oneing. How much oneing are we capable of? Our experiences of ecstasy are oneing experiences. Our experiences of awe are oneing experiences. Our experiences of grief and loss can be oneing experiences also. |
As more than 6,500 people from 38 passenger planes diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland on 9/11 waited to resume their lives, some joined in prayer and reflection. From the musical Come From Away. WhatsOnStage |
Also, interdependence is non-dualism and today even science is preaching interdependence. It is a “law” or habit of the universe. Another word for
interdependence is Compassion. In his last talk, given three hours before his martyrdom, Thomas Merton said: The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen
awareness of the interdependence of all those living beings, which are all part of one another and all involved in one another. |
Days before his death, Thomas Merton and the Dalai Lama planned to bring East and West together in compassion. This mini-documentary covers the fulfillment of that vision. compassionrising | How keen is our awareness of the interdependence of all beings? Isn’t that at the heart of an ecological awareness? In times of war, the sense of interdependence gets shattered. One side calls the other side “vermin” or |
reduces them to objects in whatever way they can. Long before today’s science, interdependence was celebrated by the mystics. So today’s post-modern science,
in this way at least, is catching up with mystical wisdom: if interdependence is the foundation of compassion, then the potential exists for a compassion explosion to arrive real soon. |
Will it be soon enough? Can mysticism and science meet on this common ground? Some mystics teaching about
interdependence include Meister Eckhart: “What happens to another, whether it be a joy or a sorrow, happens to me.” “All creatures are interdependent.” Hildegard of Bingen: Everything that is in the heavens, on the earth, and under the earth is penetrated with connectedness, penetrated with relatedness. |
“The Human as Microcosm of the Macrocosm.” Hildegard of Bingen, De Operatione Dei, discussed in Matthew Fox’s Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen. |
Compassion seeks to right relationships and Hildegard believes that “creation blooms and flourishes when it remains in right relationship and keeps to its assigned tasks.” |
Adapted from Matthew Fox,
“Creation-Centered Spirituality from Hildegard to Julian: Three Hundred Years of an Ecological Spirituality in the West,” in Fox, Wrestling with the Prophets: Essays on Creation Spirituality and Everyday Life, pp. 75-104.
See also: Fox, Passion For Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart, pp, 417-439.
And Fox, A Spirituality Named Compassion.
And Fox, A Way To God: Thomas Merton’s Creation Spirituality
Journey, pp. 107-142.
Also see Fox, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen, pp. 59ff.
Banner Image: Black-and-white thinking: “One Fork And Shadows.” Photo by Traveller_40 on Flickr |
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Queries for Contemplation What are your experiences of interdependence? And of Oneing? How are they the opposite of war? |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and
scroll down to the Comments field. |
Wrestling with the Prophets: Essays on Creation Spirituality and Everyday Life
In one of his foundational works, Fox engages with some of history’s
greatest mystics, philosophers, and prophets in profound and hard-hitting essays on such varied topics as Eco-Spirituality, AIDS, homosexuality, spiritual feminism, environmental revolution, Native American spirituality, Christian mysticism, Art and Spirituality, Art as Meditation, Interfaith or Deep Ecumenism and more. |
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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 Goodbye. |
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A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice
In A Spirituality Named Compassion, Matthew
Fox delivers a profound exploration of the meaning and practice of compassion. Establishing a spirituality for the future that promises personal, social, and global healing, Fox marries mysticism with social justice, leading the way toward a gentler and more ecological spirituality and an acceptance of our interdependence which is the substratum of all compassionate activity.
“Well worth our
deepest consideration…Puts compassion into its proper focus after centuries of neglect.” –The Catholic Register |
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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 |
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Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen
An introduction to the life and work of Hildegard of Bingen, Illuminations reveals the life and teachings of one of the greatest female artists and intellectuals
of the Western Mystical Tradition. At the age of 42, she began to have visions; these were captured as 36 illuminations–24 of which are recorded in this book along with her commentaries on them.
“If one person deserves credit for the great Hildegard renaissance in our time, it is Matthew Fox.” – Dr Mary Ford-Grabowsky, author of Sacred Voices. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
Join the Global Ministries University celebration as Matthew Fox joins the GMU faculty with a lecture on “Creation Spirituality and Religion and Science”. Registration is now full for this virtual event but you may subscribe to be notified to watch it on the GMU YouTube Channel. Friday, November 17, 7:30 am PT. Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest ” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, January 18, 4:00-6:00 pm PT. Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Hunger for Wholeness: What is Wholeness in the Midst of Crisis with Matthew Fox (Part 1) In the midst of increased violence between Israel and Palestine, Ilia Delio and theologian
Matthew Fox discuss the state of the world today and how to have courage in Part 1 of their conversation. Ilia and Matt discuss his mentor, Marie Dominique Chenu, the influence of liberation theology on social justice in the church today, and what can still be learned.
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Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
reduces them to objects in whatever way they can. |
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