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Category Archives: apophatic theology
Trinity & Saccidananda
The Benedictine ashram in South India, where I spent many long retreats over a period of twenty years, is usually called Shantivanam, “forest of peace,” but it is also the Ashram of the Trinity, and the first founder, Father Jules … Continue reading
The Sign of Jonah
The sign of Jonah (Luke 11:29-32) is a sign of contradiction. That is, the sign mirrors the contradiction of a people called to prophesy who, instead, flee their calling. The Book of Jonah, as part of the Hebrew Scriptures, is … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, dialogue, faith as hope, green theology
Tagged change, conscience, environment, experience, Gershwin, God, gospel, Jesus, Jonah, Nineveh, planet-home, Pope Francis, Porgy ‘n‘ Bess, prophecy, sign, Solomon
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Ascent to the depths
“Ascent to the depths of the heart”: this phrase is the title of the published diaries of the monk Henri Le Saux, who in India was known as Swami Abhishiktananda. Actually, the English translation of the book says “depth” in … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, faith as hope, India, inter-spirituality, Jesus, yoga
Tagged Abhishiktananda, ascension, heart, Jesus, liturgy, love, Shantivanam, yoga
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A few words on Day One: “God” is not an individual
Before Vatican II, the Catholic Liturgy on January 1st was called the Feast of the Circumcision. It offered midnight revelers the shortest gospel reading of the liturgical year, one verse from Luke: “On the eighth day, Jesus was circumcised.” Period. … Continue reading
Posted in apophatic theology, Bible, Jesus, spiritual sexuality
Tagged birth, breath, Eternal One, Holy Spirit, individuality, Mary God-birther, Trinity, Word
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Spending more time at New Camaldoli Hermitage
I have been feeling more strongly drawn back to the Hermitage in Big Sur, where I originally made monastic vows. I have continued with the Order, by God’s grace, and on June 19, 2014, I celebrated there, together with fellow … Continue reading
Posted in Berkeley, Bible, Big Sur, faith as hope, India, Jesus, monastic life
Tagged apostle, beloved disciple, Big Sur, hermitage, India, Jesus, Paul, Peter, philosophy, the three and the fourth, virtue
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On “Christ the King” Sunday, but is He?
Here are some words I shared with our friends at Incarnation Monastery in Berkeley today. When we read “Christ,” we usually understand the word to be a name. That is not a misunderstanding. As a title, in its literal usage, … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, faith as hope, Jesus
Tagged anointed, Bible, Christ, cross, divinization, Elizabeth Windsor, eucharist, fulfillment, king, Messiah, paradise, prophecy
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Christian meditation, yoga practice, ‘intention’
8. Alternatives to Yoga: John Main’s meditation movement and his initial Hindu inspiration; Centering Prayer; the use of mantras; the Christian embrace of the Hindu greeting gesture, the namaskara. American devotees of Hindu gurus who have converted to the Catholic … Continue reading
Creating a disturbance in the temple
Another talk I gave last Sunday, on the gospel story about Jesus chasing merchants and moneychangers out of the temple (John 2:13-25). I’d like to begin with the gospel acclamation: “God loved the world so much, he gave his only … Continue reading
Transfiguration
Thoughts I shared today with friends gathered to worship at Incarnation Monastery in Berkeley. Our gospel reading today (Mark 9:2-10) shows us Jesus transfigured, talking with the prophets Elijah and Moses, that is, a prophet of Spirit and a prophet … Continue reading
Posted in apophatic theology, Bible, Jesus
Tagged cross, divine birth, elitism, Jesus, messianic secret, ordinary, resurrection, revelation, son of God, transfiguration
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Ashram Diary 