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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The Mystic in Us: The “Best in
Humanity”? 04/09/2024 |
In yesterday’s DM, citing Jose Andres, we asked that the best of humanity please stand up. |
What is the best in humanity? Carl Jung says, “it is to the mystics that we owe what is best in humanity.” It seems important then that we learn more about the mystics. This will be a common theme in our forthcoming daily meditations. My most succinct definition of a mystic is this: The
lover in us. |
“The tree hugger: Settler attacks on Palestinian farmers and their olive trees” - a symbol of national pride and tradition. Al Jazeera English. Satellite analysis indicates Israeli bombing has destroyed roughly 50% of tree crops and 42% of greenhouses within Gaza. (The Cradle) |
The mystic is a lover. Lover of self; and God; and Earth; and being; and Life; and the universe wherein life and consciousness dwell with its 13.8-billion-year amazing journey. A lover of being and becoming, of beauty and of surprises Nature and the Holy Spirit bestow on us daily. Many
of these surprises are marvels and marvelous. Therefore, they are rightly called miracles (the core meaning of miracle is the marvelous). |
Ordinary miracle: nature photographer Jerry Lockett films a monarch butterfly in the act of eclosing (emerging from their chrysalis). | A mystic is in touch with his or her curiosity and reaches out regularly to be inspired, to breathe in, the gifts of life beginning with air and breath itself. The mystic is one who does not take for granted. Not air or water or existence or
things. |
The mystic is one who falls in love at least three times per day. A mystic recognizes self and others as Original Blessings. “Blessing” is the theological word for “goodness.” A mystic recognizes goodness and is hungry and attuned to goodness. Real mystics, trustworthy mystics, talk a
lot about goodness and blessings therefore and recognizes the originality of things. Thomas Aquinas talks about “primal goodness,” “original goodness,” and “original freshness.” |
Hildegard of Bingen talks about “original wisdom” and describes it as a “golden tent” folded up inside every child when they are born. She describes our life journey as setting up that tent of original wisdom. She paints a picture of the process itself that is not easy. We
encounter many obstacles while setting up that tent–there are rivers to ford and mountains to climb and demons to confront along the way. |
“Original Blessing: The Golden Tent.” Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen, plate 9. |
But
eventually, in her story, the tent is raised and even then, there are bad spirits continuing to attack us from outside the tent. And good angels assisting us as well.
~ to be continued |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen, pp. 76-82.
See also Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas, pp. 45-52.
Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth, pp. 18f., 29-31
And Fox, Christian Mystics: 365 Readings & Meditations.
Banner Image: Contemplative love of the Earth: “Mystic Existence.” Collage by Daniel Arrhakis on Flickr. |
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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. |
Queries for Contemplation |
Do you see yourself as a mystic along with the other mystics we invoke? Do you too represent “the best in humanity”? How are we doing? |
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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The 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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Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
Fox’s spirituality weds the healing and liberation found in North American Creation Spirituality and in South American Liberation Theology. Creation
Spirituality challenges readers of every religious and political persuasion to unite in a new vision through which we learn to honor the earth and the people who inhabit it as the gift of a good and just Creator.
“A watershed theological work that offers a common ground for religious seekers and activists of all stripes.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice. |
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Christian Mystics: 365 Readings & Meditations
As Matthew Fox notes, when an aging Albert Einstein was asked if he had any regrets, he replied, “I wish I had read more of the mystics earlier in my life.” The 365 writings in
Christian Mystics represent a wide-ranging sampling of these readings for modern-day seekers of all faiths — or no faith. The visionaries quoted range from Julian of Norwich to Martin Luther King, Jr., from Thomas Merton to Dorothee Soelle and Thomas Berry.
“Our world is in crisis, and we need road maps that can ground us in wisdom, inspire us to action, and help us gather our talents in service of compassion
and justice. This revolutionary book does just that. Matthew Fox takes some of the most profound spiritual teachings of the West and translates them into practical daily mediations. Study and practice these teachings. Take what’s in this book and teach it to the youth because the new generation cannot afford to suffer the spirit and ethical illiteracy of the past.” — Adam Bucko, spiritual activist and co-founder of the Reciprocity Foundation for Homeless
Youth. |
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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 speaks on “The Deep Feminine and the Deep Masculine and their importance in elevating consciousness and healing our world” at the The Heart of Nature 7-Day Summit with Jane Fonda, Marianne Williamson, Paul Hawken, Nina Simons and over 30 leading experts, Tuesday-Monday, April 16-22. 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. Join Matthew Fox in a free online event hosted by the Shift Network: “Explore Compassion in Spirituality With Meister Eckhart’s Wisdom: Mystical Teachings for Renewal, Love & Forgiveness in Times of Turmoil.” Thursday, April 18, 5:30pm PT Register HERE. Join Matthew Fox as he speaks at a worship service and conducts a workshop to mark Earth Day 2024, hosted by Unity of Walnut Creek, CA, Sunday, April 21: 9:30am & 11:30am – Worship Service – Sermon. Earth Day, 2024: Preserving Things in the Good 1:30-3:00pm – Workshop – How the Earth Crisis of Our Time Can Move Humanity to Its Next Stage of Evolution Register HERE. Join Matthew Fox, Mariko Middleton, and Skylar Wilson of the Order of the Sacred Earth in a
free virtual meeting for connection and networking with other mystic warriors, Tuesday, April 30, 4:00-5:00pm PT.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88665302478 Meeting ID: 886 6530 2478 Learn more at www.orderofthesacredearth.org |
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Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book with scientist Rupert Sheldrake, Natural Grace: Dialogues on Creation, Darkness and the Soul in Spirituality and Science in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, May 16, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE.
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Ilia Delio and theologian Matthew Fox pick up on their conversation about the viability of contemporary religious institutions in an evolutionary world. They discuss death and resurrection—the enduring challenge of modern approaches to the subject and what we can learn from mystics, past generations and ancient peoples alike. To listen, click HERE. |
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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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