Towards Spiritual Maturity
The many practices on our Contemplation page open us to God in us and among us and calling us forward. The links and ideas on our Community page help us find companions and glad ways to accompany one another. Where does this all lead? What helps us put it all together and grow into deeply fruitful relationship with ourselves, with each other, with the needs of the world, with Earth, and with God? Religious congregations have been living that question for centuries. We've begun to build this page with their learnings; let's see where it goes (and tell us what you like or want).
One option: explore ... get a sense of the great spiritual traditions... and then pick one path and go deep along that way. All of these routes are part of a vast Whole and together they create a life of grace. All have wisdom, all are real. Going deep into one is a traditional path to maturity. The glimpses on our Charisms page hint at the depths of different traditions. If we push ourselves past the top interesting layer, we feel the challenge to "who we are now" and move toward who we can become, alive more fully in God.
One option: explore ... get a sense of the great spiritual traditions... and then pick one path and go deep along that way. All of these routes are part of a vast Whole and together they create a life of grace. All have wisdom, all are real. Going deep into one is a traditional path to maturity. The glimpses on our Charisms page hint at the depths of different traditions. If we push ourselves past the top interesting layer, we feel the challenge to "who we are now" and move toward who we can become, alive more fully in God.
Humility
"Spiritual journeys are special, unique, and perhaps better understood in retrospect than at the time.... Humility caused us to seek shelter. Humility caused us to seek love. Humility drew us deeper into the heart of God. In so doing, humility became a profound spiritual gift...." "It includes a profound awareness of the author and giver of the personal and collective gifts we possess. Gifts are intended, one might even say mandated, for use...." "True humility calls for careful and respectful listening. It does not call for cowering or submissiveness. Holding fast to tension of the two extremes requires vigilance" and leads deep into spiritual maturity." - Sister Mary Hughes
Humility is a foundation of spiritual growth. It's a path of right relationship with ourselves, each other, the world, the Earth, and God. About 500 years after Jesus' life in Galilee, St. Benedict of Nursia wrote guidance for the many people who had begun to follow Benedict's call for communal spiritual life as an answer to the serious turmoil in the world. His guidance is called The Rule of St. Benedict; 1600 years later, it's still the core for thousands of communities worldwide. Chapter 7 focused on "humility as an incredibly simple yet very profound guide for living well as an individual and in community," writes Sister Linda Romey, a Benedictine sister of Erie, Pennsylvania. Sister Joan Chittister, also an Erie Benedictine. condenses the steps like this:
1. Recognize the presence of God - more
2. Accept the will of God - more
3. Accept spiritual direction - more
4. Persevere - more
5. Acknowledge faults - more
6. Live simply - more
7. Be honest about yourself - more
8. Be willing to learn from others - more
9. Listen to people - more
10. Speak kindly to others - more
11. Accept others the way they are - more
12. Be centered and serene - more
In the Benedictine tradition, humility is lived out in "ora et labora" -- prayer and work -- and in peace and hospitality. For abundant Benedictine resources, join the free and beautiful website Monasteries of the Heart. Then take your time to explore -- daily and weekly prayers and contemplative prompts, e-courses, ways to join a small community either face to face or online, and much more. The Benedictine tradition is one of the oldest, and Monasteries of the Heart at this point is a big, rich resource.
1. Recognize the presence of God - more
2. Accept the will of God - more
3. Accept spiritual direction - more
4. Persevere - more
5. Acknowledge faults - more
6. Live simply - more
7. Be honest about yourself - more
8. Be willing to learn from others - more
9. Listen to people - more
10. Speak kindly to others - more
11. Accept others the way they are - more
12. Be centered and serene - more
In the Benedictine tradition, humility is lived out in "ora et labora" -- prayer and work -- and in peace and hospitality. For abundant Benedictine resources, join the free and beautiful website Monasteries of the Heart. Then take your time to explore -- daily and weekly prayers and contemplative prompts, e-courses, ways to join a small community either face to face or online, and much more. The Benedictine tradition is one of the oldest, and Monasteries of the Heart at this point is a big, rich resource.
Simplicity, joy, and harmony with creation
What's a radical alternative to the usual ways of having fun with friends? Two friends, Clare of Assisi and Francis of Assisi, left behind comfortable lives to form communities of radical simplicity and reliance on God, and from that has flowed a spirituality of joy and of harmony with creation that's still strong 900 years later. Many diverse communities find their center in this spirituality; as a start, here are resources from the Sisters of St. Francis of Dubuque, Iowa.
Mercy
How do we "recognize God’s mercy in our daily lives and respond by offering ourselves to be a merciful presence and resource for others"? That's the central question for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, who say a "rhythm of contemplation and action is at the heart of our vocation to mercy." They offer us an introduction to the spiritual path of mercy.
Transformation seldom comes through humility alone.
Contemplation, community, and social justice are a powerful combination.
Contemplation, community, and social justice are a powerful combination.
