Community Sharing: Seeing the World from Another Center

• “I am glad you pointed out the difference between Teilhard’s mystical cosmological based on our new understanding of a dynamic and evolving universe and that of the early mystics who’s insights were grounded in a static universe. I believe Teilhard was the first catholic theologian to attempt to articulate the unity of all being in an evolutionary context.  All of Christian spirituality and contemplation must now make this paradigm shift if we are to provide guidance and meaning in the new ecological age.” -Charlie A.

• “I am in Australia. One thought I am working with following is my need to keep hold of the concepts of spirit and Spirit while also embracing the love of matter. Spirit is so central to the Bible especially St Paul, and he wasn’t a neo-Platonist. He clearly conceived spirit as an essential element of his being as well as the Being of God. He clearly identified aspects of his experience with his concepts of spirit and Spirit, as in fact I do. Energy and information; Spirit and Word. I do have an experiential sense of Spirit in matter. I commune with rocks! So I can easily think now of the Cosmos as the Body of God, and for the whole of creation to be the incarnation of God which must necessarily include time and hence history. It puts wondering about the possible significance of Christ’s death into a whole new context, the moment when the part experienced the Whole, when incarnated Spirit which is Matter, gave up its Story fully to human consciousness. I have not read much of Teilhard but will. Thanks for the encouragement and insights. -David O.

• Here is a little reflection that came to mind. I love these two women, have studied them and they are bright navigation lights for my little boat on this Sea of Love. Harry T.

THE ROSE GARDEN
The big San Diego Rose Garden has been cordoned off with yellow police line tape. We looked at the sea of pin points of color from a safe distance from the street in front. The winding sidewalks between the raised beds vacant. Somehow they looked a bit sad and lonely to us.

But then a little perspective creeped into my expert mind. What if the roses were the smart ones? What if they were coming into being in a roar of color, withering, scattering spent peddles on the ground and being reabsorbed into there plants with complete abandon? What if I could somehow digest their acceptance of death and resurrection, their faith in the Ongoing Cycle.

Now however, the roses were looking at us. At the poor humans on the other side of the yellow tape, in the jails of their minds. Marveling at our disconnection to the Cycle of Life. How maybe they were happy at having a vacation from humans putting noses on them and having to pose for pictures with tourist and wayward Dogs peeing.

I had to stop and ask myself, which side of the caution tape do I want to live?

• “Words cannot express the joy of finding you hearing you speak reading your words equates to hope for me. I experience life , what I know to be true as a cosmological reality connected to the whole and now can use the word cosmic personalization. You are helping me expand my own consciousness expand my vocabulary expand my understanding stretch me further this is neuroplasticity . This is what everyone can experience if they just let go and let God! this is a path to ultra humanity. I live on the West Coast I grew up in New Jersey and Philadelphia. in my own small circle of colleagues here on the West Coast as a Catholic board certified chaplain I find myself in the true minority. I don’t know any chaplains or priest who live life in the kind of wholeness that you speak of. and I believe strongly that living connected to the whole every day that I’m alive is directly responsible for me not being afraid of death now. you mentioned COVID-19 virus that’s going on in the world now and it’s driving two words fear and death. I heard Cynthia Bourgeault say something the other day about it. Whether I live or whether I die I belong to the whole and the whole belongs to me. The world needs true conversion to cosmic wholeness! thank you for your groundbreaking work and research!!!” -Lisa D.