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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Courage, Joy, Generosity: Lessons from
Sr. Dot & Navalny 02/20/2024 |
Yesterday we meditated on the sacrifice that Sister Dot and Alexei Navalny paid in their commitment to supporting peasant farmers and defending the Amazon Forest on the one hand, and on struggling for democracy in Russia on the other. |
It is not enough just to honor the story of people like Sr. Dot and Alexei Navalny—and many others—who gave their lives out of love. In many ways their and others’ stories are not about them but about us, about how future generations can learn what
counts. |
Dasha Navalnaya, Alexey Navalny's daughter, shares the story of her father’s poisoning, persecution, imprisonment, and ongoing message. TED, October 2023. |
And how to combat evil with good. And that evil exists and is very powerful and very present. And that fear ought not have the last word. Nor denial. Three lessons especially leap out to me: Courage, Joy and Generosity. We are all capable of growing in all three
directions. |
Alexei Navalny with his wife Yulia at a Moscow rally, 2013. Yulia Navalnaya has vowed to carry on her husband’s work. Wikimedia Commons. | Courage is from two French words, a large
heart. A heart that grows larger than fear. Meister Eckhart says, “God is delighted to watch our souls enlarge.” How do we enlarge the heart? Aquinas says “joy expands the heart” while fear shrinks it. And “joy is the humans’ noblest act.” In yesterday’s video I talked about how both Sister Dorothy and Alexei Navalny had space for joy in their hearts even when circumstances around them were dire. Indeed, in the last
video we have of Navalny, taken the day before he |
died and in the notorious prison near the north pole, he was joking, smiling and even laughing with the judge in the courtroom. All who knew Sister Dot know how much she loved a good party as |
well as circle dancing, doodling in her books, laughing with the children she helped build schools for. Joy, courage and generosity are integral to what holiness means. They give testimony to the inner work of letting go that allows spirit to flood
in. It is the work of the via negativa that precedes the via creativa. Eckhart offers a brilliant
sermon |
One of Sister Dorothy’s playful drawings in her book Meditations with Hildegard of Bingen, authored by ICCS student Gabrielle Uhlein. Used with permission. |
on how the Spirit is like a rushing river that fills an empty soul and gives birth there. To be continued. |
See Matthew Fox, Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet, pp. 66-75.
And Fox, Confessions: The Making of a Post-denominational Priest, pp 211, 239, 307, 451.
And Fox, “Sermon 26: The Holy Spirit, Like a Rapid River, Divinizes Us,” in Fox, Passion For
Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart, pp. 363-379.
Banner Image: An alcohol-ink painting by DM reader Jeanette Metler in honor of Dorothy Stang: “If you look at the middle of the earthy foreground section of the image you should see the woman reclined with her head resting on her outstretched arm, with a tear falling from her eye.” Published with
permission. |
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Queries for Contemplation How do you learn about Joy and Courage from the stories and persons of Sister Dorothy and Alexei
Navalny? |
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. |
Creativity: Where the Divine and Human Meet
Because creativity is the key to both our genius and beauty as a species but also to our capacity for evil, we need to teach creativity and to teach ways of steering this God-like power in
directions that promote love of life (biophilia) and not love of death (necrophilia). Pushing well beyond the bounds of conventional Christian doctrine, Fox’s focus on creativity attempts nothing less than to shape a new ethic.
“Matt Fox is a pilgrim who seeks a path into the church of tomorrow. Countless numbers will be happy to follow his lead.” –Bishop John Shelby Spong, author, Rescuing
the Bible from Fundamentalism, Living in Sin |
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Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest (Revised/Updated Edition)
Matthew Fox’s stirring autobiography, Confessions, reveals his personal, intellectual, and spiritual journey from altar boy, to Dominican priest, to his eventual break with the Vatican. Five new chapters in this revised and updated edition bring added perspective in light of the author’s continued journey, and his reflections on the current changes taking place in church, society and the environment.
“The unfolding story of this irrepressible spiritual revolutionary enlivens the mind and emboldens the heart — must reading for anyone interested in courage, creativity, and the future of religion.”
—Joanna Macy, author of World as Lover, World as Self |
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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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In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical, cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "This delicious book for children of all ages celebrates joy as the essential truth of reality." - Andrew Harvey, Author of The Hope and Radical Regeneration "I absolutely LOVED reading this beautiful, creative, stirring story—a charming, whimsical, powerful, parable." - Robert Holden, Author of Happiness NOW! and Higher Purpose Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from
Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at checkout. |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Passion for Creation: The Earth-Honoring Spirituality of Meister Eckhart in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, March 21, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation Spirituality in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, April 18, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Matthew Fox speaks on "What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying" at the 2024 Symposium on Death and Bereavement Studies. To listen, click the video thumbnail at right. |
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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: |
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