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 “Wow” Factor,
Science, Learning & Spirituality a la Tom Fox 09/11/2024 |
What I call the Via Positiva and Heschel calls awe, educator Tom Fox calls the “wow.” In addition to the ‘wow’ of our universe and its ways of operating, their writings [scientists like Wilzek] frequently express the ‘wow’ of how our minds can imagine and work together to share that understanding….Both of these exuberant ‘wows,’ they say, are why they write for the general public. |
Here, in his wonderful naming of “exuberant ‘wows,” Tom Fox is in my wheelhouse of mysticism. I love that phrase, “exuberant wows” and will surely be appropriating it for my future efforts to name what a mystical experience is. |
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But Tom himself recognizes exactly what he has just said and is not afraid to name how we move from science and education to the realm of spirituality. Combining a scientist’s wonder of nature with a deep respect for human intelligence demonstrates that a scientist’s work is a spiritual quest as well as a scientific one. In his [Wilczek’s] account, all scientific inquiries, past and present, lead the scientist not only to a deeper appreciation of the grandeur of the universe we inhabit but also to a deep appreciations of the mind we humans have developed over eons, the very mind that allows us to recognize the reality of that grandeur and to engage with its mysteries, religious and otherwise. |
Witnessing evolution in process: NOAA marine ecologist Lisa Ballance in the southern Ross Sea, Antarctica, determining whether this orca calf may represent a new species. NOAA Photo Library, Wikimedia Commons. | Einstein said much the same. Most researchers and inquirers I read refer to a similar awe of the mind that emerges from the work at the frontiers of what is known, including the challenge to throw away their certainties as they proceed.* And it is because they are writing for us non-scientist |
neophytes, that they learn more while trying to communicate their findings to us. Uncertainty urges them on. Education should begin with such uncertainties as these. And the neophytes can often lead the way. Thomas Aquinas employs the term “ecstasy” to name the experience of awe, wonder
and the divine. He also talks about getting drunk on the beauty of the universe and employs the term “intoxication” in doing so, citing the Scriptures: “Intoxication is a kind of excess, as the Song of Songs says, ‘my beloved, you are drunk with love’.” |
Citing the psalmist, he offers a one word exegesis, “'They shall be drunk with the beauty of thy house,’ that is, the Universe.” If Heschel is correct that “awe is the beginning of wisdom,” we find ourselves on sacred ground when we pay attention to our |
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awe
as we study the facts of our universe and begin the journey from knowledge to wisdom. To be continued. |
*G. Thomas Fox, on becoming edGe-ucated: how uncertainty can link the frontiers of expert inquiry to the education of all. Reykjavik: Bósala Stúdenta, 2024, pp. 225,
226f.
See Matthew Fox, The A.W.E. Project: Reinventing Education, Reinventing the Human.
And Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times, pp. 8-15.
And Fox, Confessions: The Making of a
Postdenominational Priest, pp. 116f., 126-165, 327-362. |
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And Fox, Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet.
Banner Image: Tabby’s Star is one of the most unusual stellar objects known. Also called KIC 8462852, or Boyajian’s Star, the object experiences unusual dips in brightness. Citizen scientists have had an integral part in exploring Tabby’s Star since its discovery. Photo credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech. |
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 recognize “Wows” and “exuberant wows” and ecstasy and intoxication as central to your learning experiences? And your growing awareness of the stories today’s science is teaching us of the universe that is our home? What follows from that? |
The A.W.E. Project: Reinventing Education, Reinventing the Human
The A.W.E. Project reminds us that awe is the appropriate response to the unfathomable wonder that is creation… A.W.E. is also the acronym for Fox’s proposed style of
learning – an approach to balance the three R’s. This approach to learning, eldering, and mentoring is intelligent enough to honor the teachings of the Ancestors, to nurture Wisdom in addition to imparting knowledge, and to Educate through Fox’s 10 C’s. The 10 C’s are the core of the A.W.E. philosophy and process of education, and include: compassion, contemplation, and creativity. The A.W.E. Project does for the vast subject of “learning” what Fox’s Reinvention of Work did for vocation
and Original Blessing did for theology. Included in the book is a dvd of the 10 C’s put to 10 video raps created and performed by Professor Pitt.
“An awe-based vision of educational renewal.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice.
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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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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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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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Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election
Matthew Fox tells us that he had always shied away from using the term “Anti-Christ” because it was so often used to spread control and fear. However, given today’s
rise of authoritarianism and forces of democracide, ecocide, and christofascism, he turns the tables in this book employing the archetype for the cause of justice, democracy, and a renewed Earth and humanity.
From the Foreword: If there was ever a time, a moment, for examining the archetype of the Antichrist, it is now…Read this book with an open mind. Good and evil are real forces in our world. ~~ Caroline
Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Conversations with the Divine. |
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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. "Matthew Fox does it again, here for our young ones, who so need a positive, cosmic vision
to thrive, or even survive, in a sad time." - Father Richard Rohr, Author of The Universal Christ "Matthew Fox offers a resounding affirmation of what our souls have always suspected: we are made for joy." - Mirabai Starr, Author of God of Love and Wild Mercy |
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UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
MONTHLY: 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. Last Tuesday of every month, 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 |
Matthew Fox will make a guest appearance during the Creation Spirituality
Communities course, Creation Spirituality in a Time of Apocalypse. He will talk about his new book on the antichrist, which is an apocalyptic archetype. Join Theodore Richards, founder of the Chicago Wisdom Project and editor of the online Magazine/Podcast ReImagining as he takes us through 4 sessions exploring how Creation Spirituality can give birth to
new stories during times of upheaval. Dates: Sept 9, 16, 23, 30 from 7-9 PM ET. Cost: $150 per student. Register HERE. |
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Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, September 19, 4:00-5:30 pm PT.
Register HERE. |
ConvergenceCoLab hosts Matthew Fox, Margaret Wheatley, and Brian McLaren in an online conversation on “Post-Doom Spirituality," Wednesday, October 16, 6-8:30 PM ET. Register now with an EARLY BIRD rate of $30, HERE. |
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Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his two books, In the Beginning There was Joy and The Return of Father Sky, in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, Thursday, October 17, 4:00-5:30 pm
PT.
Register HERE. |
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
in part 1 of an in-depth interview titled "Trump and the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ," where Fox asserts
that the archetype applies to the darker side of MAGA and it's Christian-nationalist backers. |
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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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