The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Watch for Matthew Fox's video meditation -- now appearing every Monday! |
Week
of 4/8-14/2024:
The Way of the Mystic
as an Antidote to Despair 04/14/2024 |
April 8, 2024: Can the Best of Humanity Please Show Up?
In
an op-ed article in the New York Times, Jose Andres, founder of World Central Kitchen, condemned Netanyahu for the intentional attacks of workers delivering food aid to Gaza. He said, “It is time for the best of Israel to show up.” Matthew suggests that we broaden the question and ask that the best of humanity show up. May human beings step forward to help this planet divest itself from war; demand change in the use and promotion of fossil fuels; find and insist on solutions to climate change;
advocate for the teaching of wisdom in our schools; and commit to a renewed sense of ecumenical spirituality. |
April 9, 2024: The Mystic in Us: The “Best in Humanity”?
In our reflections on the question of "What is best in humanity?" we recall the words of Carl Jung who said, “It is to the
mystics that we owe what is best in humanity.” Matthew's most succinct definition of a mystic is this: "the lover in us." Lover of self, God, Earth, LIfe, the Universe. The mystic is one who does not take the miracle of life for granted; the mystic is curious and inspired. A mystic falls in love at least three times a day. Mystics talk about goodness and blessings. April 10, 2024: Can a Solar Eclipse Assist in Making Mystics & Lovers of Us All?
This recent solar eclipse was called “the most viewed astronomical event in history.” Many
went out of their way to see this rare phenomenon. People said they were “wowed,” “moved deeply,” and that it was an “unforgettable experience.” Clearly, it was a mystical experience for many. Such a cosmological wonder touches on all three I's evident in a mystical experience: Immensity; Intensity; and Intimacy. The mystics offer their own one-word definitions of a mystical experience: Thomas Aquinas -- Ecstasy; Meister Eckhart -- Breakthrough; Julian of Norwich -- Oneing; Rabbi
Heschel -- Radical Amazement. If a mystic is a lover, then we need to fall in love all over again with Mother Earth, and that includes defending her...from ourselves! |
The eclipse brought together gatherings all across North Texas
and other communities along its path on Monday afternoon. WFAA |
April 11, 2024: The Mystic, the Best in Us, Tackles Despair, the Worst in Us
Mystics offer an antidote for the despair that permeates our culture. That despair is one reason for the rise of fascism and
authoritarianism. And somehow sinking into despair and hopelessness is easier than the kind of arduous inner journey of wisdom that the mystics encourage us to take. Aquinas warns that despair is the “most dangerous” of all sins. (Not the worst, that would be injustice.) But the mystics remind us that “existence is a miracle" (Rilke) and that “just to be is a blessing, just to live is holy.” (Rabbi Heschel) April 12, 2024: From Despair to Cosmic Beauty, Awe, Celebration & Gratitude
Many politicians today are preaching despair. Aquinas warns
that “the worst thing a person can do is to teach despair.” He also tells us that evil people are afraid of goodness. “A tyrant is more afraid of good people than of evil people,” he observes. Times of despair require an immense dose of the Via Positiva---an awakening and reawakening to the beauty of things, the beauty of existence, and how God is “Beauty Itself” and the “Source of all beauty,” as Aquinas puts it. As Thomas Berry says: In the end the universe can only be explained in
terms of celebration. It is all an exuberant expression of existence itself. |
April 13, 2024: The Mystics Reinforcing the Via Positiva
If mystics are lovers of the world, the Earth, and the Universe, as Matthew says, how can we love the world more? Teilhard de Chardin says that we used to say “God is
love” but that we should also learn to say “the world is love.” Meanwhile, Meister Eckhart said “God is delighted to watch our souls enlarge” and Aquinas reminds us that “Joy expands the heart.” Ernesto Cardenal said: We can argue about the reason for the universe, and we can argue about the purpose of the universe, but we cannot argue about the beauty of the universe. Mystics like Julian of Norwich remind us: "Everything has being because of God’s
love." |
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. |
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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Julian of Norwich: Wisdom in a Time of Pandemic–and Beyond
Julian of Norwich lived through the dreadful bubonic plague that killed close to 50% of Europeans. Being an anchoress, she ‘sheltered in place’ and developed a
deep wisdom that she shared in her book, Showings, which was the first book in English by a woman. A theologian way ahead of her time, Julian develops a feminist understanding of God as mother at the heart of nature’s goodness. Fox shares her teachings in this powerful and timely and inspiring book.
“What an utterly magnificent book. The work of Julian of Norwich, lovingly
supported by the genius of Matthew Fox, is a roadmap into the heart of the eco-spiritual truth that all life breathes together.” –Caroline Myss
Now also available as an audiobook HERE. |
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Sheer Joy: Conversations with Thomas Aquinas on Creation
Spirituality
Matthew Fox renders Thomas Aquinas accessible by interviewing him and thus descholasticizing him. He also translated many of his works such as Biblical commentaries never before in English (or Italian or German of French). He gives Aquinas a forum so that he can be heard in our own time. He presents Thomas Aquinas entirely in his own words, but in a form designed to
allow late 20th-century minds and hearts to hear him in a fresh way.
“The teaching of Aquinas comes through will a fullness and an insight that has never been present in English before and [with] a vital message for the world today.” ~ Fr. Bede Griffiths (Afterword).
Foreword by Rupert Sheldrake |
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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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