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! Don't miss Matthew's exciting interviews, webinars and courses, listed at the bottom of this DM (you may need to click the ... to see them). |
By Gianluigi Gugliermetto 5/3/2025 |
I suffer from nostalgia. I yearn for some forgotten time/space niche, perhaps in the distant past, where communication among human tribes was limited. I would not know about distant wars and massacres. My village would be like a little Eden, following the rhythm of the seasons, and evil would basically never appear on the horizon of my life. Alas, that is just a dream. |
Some historians speculate that such was indeed the situation of our species in the Paleolithic era, before the invention of agriculture, but I have no interest in advocating such a radical return to lack of technology. Thus, my present problem remains: I feel the pain of others, even distant ones, and when their pain is |
One of Edward Hicks’ 60 paintings on “The Peaceable Kingdom,” this one was created 1845-1847. Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain |
tremendous in its scope, and even more when the cruelty of other human beings causes it, my heart seems to break. I even risk ceasing to function. |
Is this an excess of empathy? Can there be such a thing? A popular figure has argued recently that empathy is the basic fault of Western civilization. Apart from the fact that the West seems much less equipped with empathy than other cultures, this guy — who will remain unnamed —represents the opposite of the person that I would like to be. Empathy is what has made my life meaningful until now, and I can’t imagine living without it, both as a recipient and a giver. So
what? |
“Elon Musk says empathy is threatening civilisation. He’s wrong. He is that threat.” Richard J. Murphy | One important thing I learned from Matthew Fox, and that I
am still learning, is that when pain is privatized it becomes deadly, while when it is shared it becomes a source of life. Several years ago, Matthew was already stating that our pain is a cosmic pain---and for this reason Simone Weil advises us to identify with the universe itself. |
Opening up to more pain rather than sheltering myself? What kind of a recipe is that? Essentially, Matthew teaches that when we are aware that pain is a cosmic reality, i.e. that pain is the common lot of people and all other creatures, then — and only then — we can engage in healing. The risk of
wallowing in my own ego-focused, individual pain is clear to me. But I also fear being swallowed up by feeling too intensely the sorrow of others. The difference — and this is where my learning comes in — is that when I open up to universal suffering I can either succumb or I can switch to a cosmic plane whereby I am not bearing by myself the pain of the world, and not even my own, but I am sharing all pain with all creatures. Matthew quotes in this regard Julian of Norwich, a 14th century
mystic, who meditates a lot on the suffering of Jesus on the cross but also connects his pain to that of the whole creation, saying things such as “I saw a great oneing between Christ and us because when he was in pain we were in pain… The sky and the earth failed at the time of Christ’s dying because he too was part of nature.” |
It is because pain can be shared, that it can redeem or, rather, it can be redeemed, it can be lifted, it can be healed, it can be turned into the pain of a new birth. Now, this is not a “truth” that can be explained or learned simply with the intellect. Also, it requires a level of vulnerability which can, in turn, be exploited by bad people, so my proposition entails some real risks. Neither do I want to go back on my suggestions about celebrating and taking care of
one’s bodily needs as essential elements of a balanced spirituality. |
"Christ on the Cross.” Sharply silhouetted against the darkened sky is the dying Christ. Painting by Eugène Delacroix. Wikimedia Commons |
Nonetheless, I wanted to share this learning of mine — as much as one can with words — at the end of a week of meditations which have been devoted to how we can respond spiritually to the barrage of violence and cruelty that we witness every day. I hope that my reflections, based on Matthew’s writings, have been of some help to some of you, and I hope to continue the conversation next week. |
SIGN THE PLEDGE: Boycott pro-Trump corporations. Faithful America. EngageForDemocracy offers curated trustworthy reporting, educational resources, and action campaigns to hold government accountable to the Constitution and democratic norms. See Matthew Fox,
Original Blessing, p. 146
See also Fox, A Spirituality Named Compassion
And Fox, Christian Mystics
And Fox, Trump and the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ Banner image: “Suffering.” Image by FUMIGRAPHIK_Photographist on Flickr. |
Responses are welcomed. To add your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click
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Queries for Contemplation |
Do I deal consciously with my vulnerability, when I feel the suffering of others? |
Original Blessing: A Primer in Creation Spirituality
Matthew Fox lays out a whole new direction for Christianity—a direction that is in fact very ancient and very grounded in
Jewish thinking (the fact that Jesus was a Jew is often neglected by Christian theology): the Four Paths of Creation Spirituality, the Vias Positiva, Negativa, Creativa and Transformativa in an extended and deeply developed way.
“Original Blessing makes available to the Christian world and to the human community a radical cure for all dark and derogatory views of the natural world wherever these may
have originated.” –Thomas Berry, author, The Dream of the Earth; The Great Work; co-author, The Universe Story |
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A Spirituality Named Compassion: Uniting Mystical Awareness with Social Justice
In A Spirituality Named Compassion, Matthew
Fox delivers a profound exploration of the meaning and practice of compassion. Establishing a spirituality for the future that promises personal, social, and global healing, Fox marries mysticism with social justice, leading the way toward a gentler and more ecological spirituality and an acceptance of our interdependence which is the substratum of all compassionate activity.
“Well worth our
deepest consideration…Puts compassion into its proper focus after centuries of neglect.” –The Catholic Register |
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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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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.
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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Matthew Fox comments on Pope Francis' legacy of environmentalism and support for migrants, amidst more controversial aspects of his papacy, KPFA Pacifica Evening
News. |
UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
Join Matthew Fox in a new 6-month program of mystical wisdom for a new world: - Activate your spiritual awakening with the mystics
- Say “yes” to life & the beauty, goodness & potential it offers
- Awaken your inner mystic & prophet for deeper awakening
- Nurture the life-giving qualities of your humanity
By Application only - apply
HERERegister for a free information session HERE |
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Join Matthew Fox and other guest speakers in a 6-week journey into Mysticism and The Great Mystics (Matthew presents May 7 on "Dancing with the Divine: Creation Spirituality and The Mystics"), hosted by Creation Spirituality Communities Education. Wednesdays, May 7-June 11, 4:00-6:00pm PT. Register HERE. |
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| Join Matthew Fox in a 6-Class Course: The Great Christian Mystics, exploring some of the richest and most
inspiring mystic-prophets in the Christian lineage, including Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, Mechtild of Magdeburg, Thomas Aquinas, and Meister Eckhart. Open-ended course includes six modules of pre-recorded lessons, live community discussions, and live conversations with Matthew Fox. Starts Thursday, May 8; 10% off discount code: FOX-10 Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox online as he offers a Morning Worship Inspirational Message, “Mother's Day, 2025: Exercising Our Powers For Compassion,” at the Unity Inspired Living online service. Sunday, May 1, 10:00am PT. Join us HERE. Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book, Wrestling with the Prophets: Essays on Creation Spirituality and Everyday Life, in an online Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, May 15, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT. Register HERE. Join Matthew Fox as he offers a lecture and Q&A on “Navigating the Dark Night of Soul, Society, and Our Species,” hosted by the Jung Center of Buffalo, Friday, May 23, 4 pm PT. Learn more HERE. |
MONTHLY: Join Matthew Fox 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 |
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
The Christian Mystics: Wisdom for Our
Time
Join renowned theologian and spiritual teacher Matthew Fox in a thought-provoking conversation with Ruby Reed on the lives, work and wisdom of some of The Christian Mystics and their vital role in our time.
In this webinar, we’ll explore how the mystic’s path can empower us to cultivate inner transformation and inspire action in the world by saying "Yes" to life and "No" to injustice, whether through art, contemplation, or activism. Discover how their insights can help us rekindle our spiritual fire and meet the needs of our time with resilience and love. This free video promotes Matthew's upcoming 6-session course with Advaya, that will be released on May 8. |
Inspired by this post? Share your insights on BlueSky, Instagram, Universeodon, or Facebook using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
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