Reflections from God: 365 Bible Verses for Every Day of the Year Along with Daily Contemplative Reflections to Inspire, Guide, and Bring Hope  -- by Karen Smith

Christ in Ten Thousand Places by Fr. Walter Burghardt SJ

Recommended by Jerry Haessly.  The review is as seen on Amazon.

One of America's foremost and best-loved preachers delivers here not only 44 new homilies for different occasions but also his secrets for giving an effective sermon. These methods go beyond generalizations and show how to speak meaningfully to a particular audience at a particular point in time. In traveling around the world, Burghardt says he does not "bring" the word of God there. Instead, he believes his role is to discern God's word where it already exists.

The all-new homilies are for the liturgical seasons, weddings, feast days, and such miscellaneous occasions as graduations and convocations. Each is scripturally based, relates the biblical events to our own lives today, and incorporates both anecdotes and contemporary world affairs. Each is also "classic Burghardt"--a tight, logical 3-part structure that is also literary, graceful, and passionately concerned with justice.

Here is link to one of the chapters.

The Dark Night of the Soul by Gerald May, M.D

Reviewed by Jeff Renner

The late Dr. Gerald May wrote this classic that centers on the work of St. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila, with added layers that are the fruit of his twenty five year career practicing psychiatry and his studies in Contemplative Theology and Contemplative Psychology. Dr. May had a knack for taking deep subjects and making them very accessible, interesting and even fun-embedding personal stories and experiences. At a time when COVID-19, wildfires and political polarization are providing ample experiences of ‘dark nights’ and ‘dark days’, this is a very timely and rewarding read. Dr. May is an affable, personal and insightful guide to the process that deepens our spirituality, our very relationship with God.

The Wisdom Way of Knowing-Reclaiming an Ancient Tradition to Awaken the Heart by Cynthia Bourgeault

Cynthia Bourgeault is a gifted teacher, faith leader and guide on what Father Thomas Keating called ’The Spiritual Journey’. It has been said that we are knee-deep in a river, searching for water; at no time has that been more apparent, painfully so, than now. In this book, Cynthia guides us in that river of life and spirit, helping open our eyes to the ‘water’  that surrounds us, sustains us and challenges us.

We have all heard of the necessity of engaging our ‘heart’. We tend to dismiss that as an obsolete references based on ignorance of human anatomy and function. But Cynthia points to a deeper sense of heart, more than simply an organ that drives our circulatory system, rather an antenna, so to speak, given to us to orient us toward the divine radiance and to synchronize our being with its more subtle movements…for divine perception.  That is, seeing the metaphorical water that surrounds us, and navigating the river we encounter as we move through our lives. The Wisdom Way of Knowing helps us develop that ‘antenna’ through enhanced ‘seeing’, thought and a variety of tools.

It’s a small book, but large in its scope and gifts.

The Human Condition  by Fr. Thomas Keating

Reviewed by Jerry Haessly

Here's a good read that keeps me hopeful in these troubling times we face on a daily basis.  Before delving into Keating's modest forty-five page read, consider setting a thematic tone for yourself by sipping on a Latte at your favorite hideaway. To set the stage for an encounter with your own "Human Condition," I personally suggest reminiscing over lyrics to "Alfie" by Dionne Warwick.

What’s it all about Alfie
Is just for the moment we live
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?

I know there’s something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in

I believe in love, Alfie…”

Why connect DW to TK in a book review on the “Human Condition?”

Singer and author priest combine their life changing message modalities to entice us  to seek "happiness" where we least expect to encounter it. This is vintage Keating. Throughout his work, Keating continually keeps us off balance when we believe our pathway is on solid ground. A master at juxtaposing elements from various spiritual traditions, Keating brings to life new insights that are both refreshing and quite challenging at the same time. “The Human Condition” is a read that you will return to with new insights with each read.  Excellent for group discussion.

Gratefulness, the Heart of Prayer by Brother David Steindl-Rast

Reviewed by Jeff Renner

It may seem difficult to find much reason for gratefulness. Hatred, aggression and violence dominates the news, social media and our consciousness. Each tends to freeze and narrow us, leading us to lead fearful, stingy, cautious lives. Brother David Steindl-Rast in his characteristic warmth, humor and gentleness invites us to expand our vision-if we do, we’ll find numerous reasons to give thanks and praise-which will in turn lead us to discover the fullness of our lives.The author is a realist, saying ‘today, many whose thirst is no less burning will not use the name ‘God’ because of those who do use it. We have abused it and confused them’. He emphasizes gratefulness is not the same as thanksgiving. It gives rise to thanksgiving, but it lies deeper.’ The Benedictine monk, who has been deeply involved in both monastic renewal and inter religious dialogue, gives us a wonderful and thoughtful guide to finding meaning and to know ‘the heart’-“To know the heart means to know that it has depths too deep for reason to fathom, the depths of divine life within us. The heart that comes to rest in God rests in its own fathomless depth.

Intimacy with God, an Introduction to Centering Prayer by Thomas Keating

Reviewed by Bridget Rosen

I just recently picked up one of Thomas Keating’s older books Intimacy with God and it was perfect for me now.  This book is for those ranging from advanced practitioners of Centering Prayer to those completely unfamiliar with it.  It talks about the origins of Centering Prayer, the theological basis of it, and the psychology of it.  It took me back to why I was attracted to Centering Rrayer in the first place. For me it was spiritually refreshing. Back to basics.

More information or to order Intimacy with God  from Contemplative Outreach

The Way of a Pilgrim and The Pilgrim Continues His Way by Anonymous, Walter J. Ciszek (Foreword by), Helen Bacovcin (Translator)

Comment by Jerry Haessley
To The Reader, once starting, the pilgrim and the reader are one and the same. Good luck on stopping.

 
"Father Thomas Keating is a Rebel with a Cause".  Click here.

An article by Marco Ventura from the 5280 Denver's Mile High Magazine.

 
REINVENTING ORGANIZATIONS:  A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Consciousness by Frederic Laloux

Reviewed by Sabrina MacIntyre

The practice of Centering Prayer and the changes it leads to in our lives, leaves many wishing for a way to expand such changes in consciousness to their workplace.  Imagine … a work environment made up of self-managing teams.  There are no job descriptions and no middle management.  Mutual trust is common.  Any team member may make a decision and purchase items to aid in its implementation, provided input is sought from relevant experts and affected parties.  Salaries are determined and disputes resolved via peer based processes.  If this sounds inviting, yet unfamiliar, it may be because AMBER, ORANGE, and GREEN organizational models promote decision-making based on external considerations.  In contrast, REINVENTING ORGANIZATIONS:  A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Consciousness, provides detailed examples of Evolutionary-TEAL organizations wherein we have adjusted our thinking to make decisions based on internal guidelines.  It’s a matter of “inner rightness” author Frederic Laloux explains.  Currently, these Evolutionary-TEAL organizations operate in diverse fields such as nursing, engineering, produce packing, apparel manufacturing, publishing and schooling.  What they have in common is their focus on ‘being true to themselves, being true to their calling, and being of service to the world.’  Please read this book!