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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As the results of the election ripple out, learn the deeper stakes involved. Get your copy of Trump & the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election today! Choose your format in the book block below. |
We continue our meditations on healthy masculinity since it was young men in particular who essentially elected Mr. Trump on November 5. |
In the Conclusion chapter of my book on the Sacred Masculine is a section called “False Masculinity: Real Men Eat Beef,” where I observe how society is continually trying to define for us what "real men" do, what "real men" are. Rarely do these proposals serve the |
An endearing video about a man's close relationship with a cow named Jenna. GeoBeats
Animals. |
community or the sacred, rather they serve corporations or politics. |
The
ad that “real men eat beef” was no doubt paid for by the cattle growers association. The phrase “real men” implies there are “unreal men”–by implication a feminine man. Do men know when they are “real men”? The ad appeals to a man’s self-doubt. It appeals to his shame. “How manly am I?” “Do I pass the test of manliness?” |
How methane gas impacts global warming, and what can be done about it. TRT World | The truth is that too much beef can kill you. And the methane released by cattle farting is a major faction in global warming. And the
amount of water and soil required to grow cattle is immense. A “real man” is a man who cares for his own |
health and the health of the planet and does not become addicted to beef therefore. He eats beef in moderation—if at all.
The classic “Marlboro man” ads were effective at selling cigarettes, but the reality turned out to be that the very man who posed for those ads died painfully and prematurely of lung cancer. So much for
“real men” illusions.
During the ill-conceived Iraq War that killed hundreds of thousands of innocent victims, tore the Middle East apart, and cost America over one trillion dollars, there arose this meme: "Anyone can go to Baghdad. Real men go to Tehran.” Those shouting this meme were not content with the
losses of the Iraq War but wanted a second war in Iran. For them war proves you are a man. Every man needs to take back his understanding of what it is to be male and to be authentically masculine. What are signs of “real men”? I propose the following: Real men work to save the planet (and don’t call global warming a “hoax”). |
Real men love Father Sky and are curious and eager to learn the new cosmology and where we—Sun, Moon, Earth and all its creatures–all come from. Real men practice solitude and learn to tame the reptilian brain. Real men meditate and are |
“Meditation: I smell the mountain breeze. I hear a valley bell. My heart jubilees. HKD” Image by Hartwig HKD on Flickr. |
not
afraid to look inside and see the nobility and the vastness that is there. |
Real men care. They awaken their mammalian brain to remain connected to their compassion, rather then let the win/lose and dominating mentality of the reptilian brain take over. Real men can recognize in sports a means, like meditation, to calm the reptilian brain by playing with it in
games of winning and losing. And learns to do both with grace. Real men respect women. Real men treat youth with respect and sport a fatherly
Heart. Part of such respect is leaving behind a healthy planet for their children and grandchildren. |
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| Real men seek to be spiritual warriors who learn to battle (jihad) with oneself first, to overcome the temptations of power for power’s sake, greed, power-over. They seek
power-with (com-passion). Real men consider character a mark of manliness and equate virility with virtue and inner strength. |
Real men are not afraid of the "dark night of the soul” but know that darkness has important things to teach them. Real men use all the brains God has given them—the intellectual and rational brain and the intuitive and mystical brain. Real men commit to both Joy and Justice and stand up for truth and against injustice. |
Adapted from Matthew Fox, The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine, pp. 282-285. And Fox, The Tao of Thomas Aquinas: Fierce Wisdom for Hard Times, pp. 97-100. And Fox, Meditations with Meister Eckhart: A Centering Book And Fox, Meister Eckhart: A Mystic-Warrior for Our Times. And Fox, Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul & Society.
Banner image: A man with his children. Photo by Juliane Liebermann on Unsplash | A Caring Note from the DM Team:
The results of the U.S. election are affecting us all in a variety of ways, and challenging times certainly lie ahead. If the burden
becomes overwhelming, we urge you, please, to seek support. Here are a few resources that can help:
National Helpline for essential services: 211 or 211.org
National Suicide/Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.
Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255
LGBTQ Youth Lifeline: Call 1-866-488-7386 or text
START to 678678.
Trans Lifeline: Call 877-565-8860
National Sexual Assault Hotline: Call
800-656-4673
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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 |
How do you apply these signs of authentic manliness and masculinity to the politics of our day? What other signs would you name? |
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. For immediate access to Trump
& The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election, order the e-book with 10 full-color prints from Amazon HERE. To get a print-on-demand paperback copy with black & white images, order from Amazon HERE or IUniverse HERE. To receive a limited-edition, full-color paperback copy, order from MatthewFox.org HERE. Order the audiobook HERE for immediate download. |
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The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine
To awaken what Fox calls “the sacred masculine,” he unearths ten metaphors, or archetypes, ranging from the Green Man, an
ancient pagan symbol of our fundamental relationship with nature, to the Spiritual Warrior….These timeless archetypes can inspire men to pursue their higher calling to connect to their deepest selves and to reinvent the world.
“Every man on this planet should read this book — not to mention every woman who wants to understand the struggles, often unconscious, that shape the men they know.” — Rabbi Michael
Lerner, author of The Left Hand of God |
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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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Meditations with Meister Eckhart: A Centering Book
A centering book by Matthew Fox. This book of simple but rich meditations exemplifies the deep yet playful creation-centered spirituality of Meister Eckhart, Meister Eckhart
was a 13th-century Dominican preacher who was a mystic, prophet, feminist, activist, defender of the poor, and advocate of creation-centered spirituality, who was condemned shortly after he died.
“These quiet presentations of spirituality are remarkable for their immediacy and clarity.” –Publishers Weekly. |
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Meister Eckhart: A Mystic-Warrior For Our Time
While Matthew Fox recognizes that Meister Eckhart has influenced thinkers throughout history, he also wants to introduce Eckhart to today’s activists addressing contemporary crises.
Toward that end, Fox creates dialogues between Eckhart and Carl Jung, Thich Nhat Hanh, Rabbi Heschel, Black Elk, Karl Marx, Rumi, Adrienne Rich, Dorothee Soelle, David Korten, Anita Roddick, Lily Yeh, M.C. Richards, and many others.
“Matthew Fox is perhaps the greatest writer on Meister Eckhart that has ever existed. (He) has successfully bridged a gap between Eckhart as a shamanistic personality and Eckhart as a
post-modern mentor to the Inter-faith movement, to reveal just how cosmic Eckhart really is, and how remarkably relevant to today’s religious crisis! ” — Steven Herrmann, Author of
Spiritual Democracy: The Wisdom of Early American Visionaries for the Journey Forward |
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Sins of the Spirit, Blessings of the Flesh: Transforming Evil in Soul and Society
Visionary theologian and best-selling author Matthew Fox offers a new theology of evil
that fundamentally changes the traditional perception of good and evil and points the way to a more enlightened treatment of ourselves, one another, and all of nature. In comparing the Eastern tradition of the 7 chakras to the Western tradition of the 7 capital sins, Fox allows us to think creatively about our capacity for personal and institutional evil and what we can do about them.
“A scholarly
masterpiece embodying a better vision and depth of perception far beyond the grasp of any one single science. A breath-taking analysis.” — Diarmuid O’Murchu, author of Quantum Theology: Spiritual Implications of the New Physics |
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The Return of Father Sky: A Cosmic Mystery for Kids of All Ages
The second book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series, The Return of Father Sky helps boys and girls to celebrate a new relationship with the masculine by way of Father
Sky, whose return excites joy and wonder and possibility that enlarge the soul to welcome others and all creation. Written in a rhyming Dr. Seuss-like style, this full-color, beautifully illustrated book, written by world- renowned theologian Matthew Fox weaves together modern science and classic spirituality in a whimsical, entertaining format to illustrate important truths to readers aged 4 and up. 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. |
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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 |
Join Matthew Fox and cosmologist Brian Thomas Swimme in a new 7-week live video course hosted by The Shift Network: “The 4 Paths of Creation Spirituality: Embracing Awe, Chaos, Creativity & Transformation With the Universe as Your Guide.” Tuesdays, December 3 – January 28 (except Dec 24 and 31), 5:00pm - 6:30pm PT Register
HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox, Rev. Nóirín Ní Riain, and celebrated Irish performers Owen Ó Súilleabháin, and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin in an Interfaith Advent celebration of Irish sacred music and storytelling to honor the varied Festivals of Light and explore the mysteries they reveal. Saturday, December 7, 9:00am – 11:00am PT. Register
HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox for an on-site and online Advent Retreat titled “A Great Coming: Creation Spirituality and the Renewal of Religion, Humanity and Holy Mother Earth,” hosted by Immaculate Heart Community, Los Angeles. Saturday, 12/14, 9 AM -5 PM; Sunday, 12/15, 9-11 AM.
Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his two children’s books, Father Fox's Fantastical
Fables – In the Beginning There was Joy and The Return of Father Sky in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat, online. December 19, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT Register HERE. |
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
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