The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Understanding and
Awareness By Gianluigi Gugliermetto 10/9/2025 |
We all need
frames of reference. Human life — all animal life, in fact— cannot thrive without knowing its surroundings, and thus by adopting frames of reference with which one can analyze, anticipate, predict, and mostly importantly understand. |
Understanding a situation does not bring about change in the situation immediately, but brings about a very important factor in life: a sense of ease and liberation from mere chaos. We all know how many times we have |
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understood something incorrectly, and yet we can’t simply stop trying to understand, lest we fall into a stupor. |
Such a risk of stupor is very much real today, as each and everyday the frames of reference that were agreed upon are challenged and upset. We hear, for example, that empathy is a bad word, or that it is entirely acceptable that vessels are attacked in international waters. And so on and so forth. Chaos is lingering behind the doors not only of our communities, but even of our own minds. This is also a time in which our cherished frames of reference are put to test. It is also a time, therefore, to become more conscious about which frames we adopt and truly cherish. Maybe we can dust them, study them, and dare to test if they indeed still help, or if a change is needed. |
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| There a number of frames that we use daily but subconsciously. Authors such as Freud and Newton have changed our perception of reality much more
that we think. Unearthing their influence might be too |
deep of a job, however, while I believe it is possible for most people to reflect on the frames of reference they hold consciously. The Four Paths of Creation Spirituality — as rediscovered by Matthew Fox through his studies of the Western mystics — are the main frame of reference that I expect
the readers of these meditations to know. But you, the readers, might have gotten here by any kind of route. Picking up more consciously the CS frame might be, therefore, very helpful to some of you, while it could constitute a good refresher for the others. The main exposition of the Fourth Path is found in Original Blessing, but a solid summary is also offered in Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth. In my personal life, I integrate the CS frame with other frames which emphasize this or that aspect, or even challenge some of its presuppositions. Mary Daly and her concept of “sadofascism” help me dig deeper into the cruelty we are presently experiencing on a global scale. (See DM October 3) René Girard explains to me better the mechanism by which victims are made into scapegoats, also on a global scale. (See DM July 16.) |
Each of us hold frames of reference. Not caring about what they are, or if they function well, means living an uncritical life which falls short of one’s potential for wholeness and happiness. It is of the utmost importance, of course, to counteract the forces of evil that are
maiming |
Actor Mandy Pritikin passionately addresses the Jewish people about Gaza. Everyday
Man NYC |
children, starving entire populations, encroaching essential habitats… but meaningful action can only proceed from critical understanding. Which begets a global awareness. Which helps us stay strong and act compassionately while the most heart-wrenching tragedies are acted out. |
Banner image: “Equal rights are human rights.” Sign at protest in suburban Pennsylvania. Photo by Cynthia Greb. Used with permission. |
Queries for Contemplation What are the frames of reference that you adopt? Have you changed them in
the course of your life? How do you criticize and integrate your own understanding? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialogue, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments
field. |
UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar HERE |
Join Matthew Fox and journalist Gil Duran in a 2-part online lecture/discussion event countering Peter Thiel's apocalyptic theories. Wed-Thurs., October 8-9, 7-8:30 pm ET. Register HERE.
Session 1 – Peter Thiel and the Antichrist: What Would Jesus Say? Matthew Fox explores the Antichrist archetype in light of his book Trump & the MAGA Movement as Antichrist, offering a spiritual lens
for understanding Thiel’s fixation. Session 2 – Billionaires, Political Theology, and the Future of Our Democracy Matthew Fox and Gil Duran explore together how a peculiar and perverse political theology is shaping the
imaginations of tech billionaires and what this means for our shared future. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book, Meditations with Meister Eckhart in an online Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, October 16, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT. Register HERE. |
Join spiritual pioneers Dr. Matthew Fox and Rev. Cameron Trimble for “In Search of a New Story: Reimagining What Comes Next,” a timely and transformative 4-part series featuring conversations with some of the most compelling wisdom voices of our time: Carolyn Myss, Diana Butler Bass, Luther Smith, and Ilia Delio. Thursdays, October 23, 30, and November 13, 20, 4:00pm-5:30pm PT Register HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox in a new 6-month program of mystical wisdom for a new world. In this 6-month immersion program with Matthew, you’ll explore what it means to be a modern mystic and prophet, integrating this sacred knowledge into your life through the authentic teachings of Jesus and other wisdom keepers. This journey births what Matthew calls Christianity 2.0 — based not on dogma, but on a spirituality that recovers the sacred sense of original goodness. By Application only - apply
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Creation Spirituality Conversations |
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