Blog Archives
Book Review: Meister Eckhart and C.G. Jung: On the Vocation of the Self by Steven Herrmann
In Meister Eckhart and C.G. Jung: On the Vocation of the Self, Steven Herrmann explores the deep connections between the medieval mystic Meister Eckhart and the psychologist Carl Jung, focusing on their shared views of self-realization and the transformative journey toward authenticity. Both thinkers emphasize transcending the ego to integrate the unconscious and awaken a deeper, more spiritual self.
A key concept in the book is the idea that God is beyond gender, a notion echoed by both Eckhart and Jung. For Eckhart, God transcends human categories, and Jung similarly views the divine as encompassing both masculine and feminine qualities. Herrmann brings these ideas together, showing how they can guide individuals on a path of personal and spiritual growth.
Meister Eckhart and C.G. Jung on the Vocation of the Self is a thought-provoking exploration of mysticism and psychology. Herrmann’s comparative analysis offers valuable insights into self-realization, the nature of the divine, and how we can grow toward our most authentic selves.
Link-Love:
Meister Eckhart and C.G. Jung on Bookshop
Steven Herrmann’s Website
#MeisterEckhartAndCGJung
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Review: Cradled in the Arms of Compassion: A Spiritual Journey from Trauma to Recovery by Frank Rogers Jr.
In Cradled in the Arms of Compassion, Frank Rogers Jr. offers a deeply personal spiritual autobiography, recounting his journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse. As a spiritual director, Rogers blends personal experience with professional insight, exploring how spiritual practices and the embrace of compassion helped him move from trauma to recovery.
The book is a powerful testament to the transformative power of compassion, both from others and from within. Rogers’ honest and vulnerable narrative provides hope and guidance for anyone dealing with trauma, emphasizing that healing is possible through spiritual practices and self-compassion.
Recommendation: This inspiring and heartfelt memoir is a moving guide for anyone seeking healing from trauma. Rogers’ story offers both personal insight and spiritual wisdom, making it a valuable resource for those looking for hope and recovery.
Link-Love:
Cradled in the Arms of Compassion on Bookshop
Frank Rogers’ Website
#CradledInTheArmsOfCompassion
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Review: Gurdjieff for a Time-Between-Worlds: Hyperpersonal Essays on the Grandfather of Metamodern Spirituality by Layman Pascal
In Gurdjieff for a Time-Between-Worlds, Layman Pascal offers a fresh, introspective exploration of Georges Gurdjieff’s teachings through a contemporary lens. Rather than a traditional analysis, Pascal’s “hyperpersonal” essays blend personal reflection with philosophical inquiry, making Gurdjieff’s complex ideas accessible and relevant to modern readers.
Pascal connects Gurdjieff’s emphasis on self-awareness, integration of mind-body-emotion, and spiritual development to the challenges of living in our current “time-between-worlds”—a period of cultural uncertainty and transformation. The essays make a compelling case for how Gurdjieff’s methods can guide us in navigating today’s rapidly changing world.
Gurdjieff for a Time-Between-Worlds is an insightful and engaging read for those interested in Gurdjieff’s work or looking for a modern, personal approach to spiritual growth. Pascal’s reflections offer a unique perspective on how Gurdjieff’s teachings remain relevant in today’s world.
Link-Love:
Layman Pascal’s Website
Layman Pascal on Substack
Layman Pascal on Metamodern Spirituality
Layman Pascal on The Integral Stage
#GurdjieffForATimeBetweenWorlds
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Review: The Cosmic Lens: A New Perspective for Thriving in a Disrupted World by Michiel Doorn, MSE and Dr. Birgit Viertlbock
The Cosmic Lens by Michiel Doorn and Dr. Birgit Viertlbock offers both an introduction and a practical guide to navigating life’s uncertainties with grace. The key concept of the “cosmic lens” encourages adopting a broader, more comprehensive perspective to understand and respond to challenges with clarity and ease. The authors present seven steps to help readers enter a flow state where life feels simple, joyful, and aligned—reminiscent of the carefree perspective many remember from childhood.
The book combines theoretical insights with actionable steps, supported by case studies and testimonials that show how this new perspective can lead to personal transformation. It’s a practical, inspiring read for those looking to bring more ease, joy, and wisdom into their lives, even in the face of uncertainty.
The Cosmic Lens is a powerful guide for anyone seeking clarity, joy, and flow in today’s disrupted world. With practical steps and real-world examples, it offers valuable tools for thriving in the 21st century.
Link-Love:
Michiel Doorn’s Website
Birgit Viertlböck’s Website
#TheCosmicLens
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Book Review: Discovering Fire: Spiritual Practices that Transform Lives by Roger Wayne Wolsey
In Discovering Fire: Spiritual Practices that Transform Lives, Roger Wayne Wolsey offers a heartfelt and deeply personal guide to spiritual growth. Drawing from his extensive experience as a spiritual director, Wolsey invites readers into his own spiritual journey, sharing personal reflections and insights that enrich the book. His openness about his experiences—navigating a diverse spiritual landscape—adds a layer of authenticity that makes the book feel both personal and relatable.
Wolsey weaves together practices from a variety of religious traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, and earth-based spirituality, while grounding them in his own lived experience. This combination of personal history and spiritual practice gives the book a unique depth. His own transformative experiences serve as a guide, helping readers connect more deeply with the practices he shares, from contemplative prayer to mindfulness and creative expression.
What sets Discovering Fire apart is not just its variety of spiritual tools, but Wolsey’s honest and vulnerable sharing of his own struggles and growth. His reflections on faith, doubt, and transformation invite readers to see their own spiritual journeys as fluid and evolving. This makes the book both practical and deeply human, offering readers more than just a set of practices, but a story of personal awakening.
Whether you’re just beginning your spiritual journey or looking to deepen your existing practices, Discovering Fire is a powerful and compassionate guide. Wolsey’s combination of personal history, practical wisdom, and inclusive approach makes this a book you’ll want to revisit again and again, finding new insights at every turn.
Link-Love:
Discovering Fire on Quoir
Roger Wolsey’s Website
Connect with Roger for spiritual direction or to speak at your gathering
#DiscoveringFire
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author and/or publisher through the Speakeasy blogging book review network. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Forward Friday: Double Belonging
I ran across the term double belonging during my training in spiritual direction in Arizona. If you’re not familiar (I wasn’t), it’s a relatively new term used to describe people who ascribe to one particular religious tradition (e.g. Christianity) but also learn from another tradition (e.g. Buddhism).
You may have even heard people describe themselves as Jew-Bus (Jewish Buddhists) or Buddha-palians (Episcopalian Buddhists). What would a Presbyterian Buddhist be called? Buddha-terian?
While I’m not advocating synchronicity, I do believe we have a lot to learn from each other, both within our own tradition and from people of other faiths. Particularly with people whose spiritual paths involve meditation, there are many similarities between different religious practices. Thomas Merton, for example, was well known for being influenced by Buddhist meditation techniques as he practiced and taught Christian contemplative meditation.
So let’s try a very simple and open-ended Forward Friday:
This weekend, take some time to explore other faith traditions in your area.
You could attend a Jewish temple or try a yoga class. If you’re not sure how to get started, try picking up a book from your local library on comparative religion or a specific tradition you’ve always been curious about.
Remember, this exercise is not designed to encourage you to embrace a new set of beliefs in place of your own or to create opportunities for proselytizing. Just be curious, courteous, and conscious of what pieces of truth you might pick up along the way.
Happy weekend, lovely readers! Come back and tell me all about it.
On the Act of Creating Art
On Monday we talked about how something happens when we put tangible words on a tangible page, connecting the physical with the mental and spiritual. But not everyone is inspired by words alone. Sometimes we need something even more tangible, even more physical.
I don’t pretend to be an artist. I know I am severely lacking in this area and choose to surround myself with artists to make up for my disability. However, in the spirit of friendship with you lovely readers, I will share one of my poor attempts at collage — just to prove that sometimes it is simply the act of creating something physical even more than the finished product that affects us emotionally and spiritually.
The finished product below may not affect anyone else, but the act of creating it for me was a quite profound experience of emotional and spiritual breakthrough.
I’ll even tell you why.
In the act of creating this silly little collage out of scraps from a friend’s art box, I was able for the first time to fully accept myself as a physical being, with all my particular flaws and traits.
This is a piece of my story, from one of my journals, created my by own hand amongst friends on April 18th, 2009.
Balance is not a tight-rope act
One of the goals of this blog is to keep thinking theologically about how to incorporate and engage the physical body in our mental and spiritual pursuits. This balance is important not only for our spiritual lives but for our lives as a whole.
All things in moderation is a motto I remind myself of often when I indulge in fatty foods, exercise, even watching TV.
Even healthy pursuits can be bad for us in too-large quantities; likewise, less healthy pursuits can be good for us, too, in smaller quantities.
For example, having an alcoholic beverage from time to time can actually be a healthy source of antioxidants. Working out too often or too hard can lead to muscle strains, shin splints, and even dysregulated metabolism.
When we start talking about things like work/school-life balance (for an excellent and thought provoking view, I highly recommend the recently published Why Women Still Can’t Have It All), spirituality-life balance, family-friend balance, conservative-liberal balance, or even productivity-rest balance, we can start to feel like holding everything in perfect tension is an overwhelming and perhaps even impossible task.
Here’s the good news: balance is not a tight-rope act.
Balance is not about taking one painfully tense step after another intensely stressful step on a thin wire above certain death.
Finding balance in life is a lot like contemplative prayer. In contemplative prayer, there is no frustrating struggle for command over distracting thoughts. There is, instead, the honest acknowledgement of the moment and cause of distraction and the disciplined, gentle return to focus on God.
In life, we often expend unnecessary energy beating ourselves up for spending too much time and attention here and not enough there. We struggle and fight and end up in discouraging failure because the truth is we are imperfect people living imperfect lives.
Balance is about extending grace to ourselves in those moments where we step too far to the left or right or when life wears us down and we stop altogether to catch our breath and wipe the sweat out of our eyes.
Body theology is not something to beat ourselves with. It is something to slowly begin to weave into the fabric of our daily lives so that we become
more mindful of the role of our bodies,
more discerning about the messages from the Church and culture,
more aware of injustice, and
more sensitive to the movement of the Spirit within and around us.
I like one lesson Elizabeth Gilbert learns in her memoir Eat, Pray, Love: sometimes we have unbalanced seasons (where one aspect of our lives takes precedence and demands more time and attention while other important aspects may be neglected), but those seasons do not necessarily mean that we cannot have a balanced life.
A work commitment may take priority for a few weeks. A newly married couple may spend more time together than apart as they build the foundation of their marriage. The birth (or death) of a family member may require more emotional energy.
But when these seasons end (and they will), we have the opportunity to return our attention and intention — gently — to the healthy balance of spiritual, mental, and physical engagement in our life’s pursuits.
Balance is not about walking a tight-rope and hoping against hope not to tip or slip and fall.
Balance is about resuming the path toward becoming the healthy, whole people God has created us to be.
All things in moderation, lovely readers. Pace yourselves. Let’s keep walking this path together.
Forward Friday: Finding Your Spiritual Practice
This week we explored the spiritual practices of sleeping, eating, and exercising. Sometimes we can experience spiritual significance through these simple, daily activities. Other times, these activities in themselves can teach us about the value of maintaining spiritual practices as part of a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
1) This weekend, identify one life-giving activity.
It could be a daily walk, making dinner, reading a Psalm every morning, taking the scenic route to work, or anything else natural or intentional.
2) Notice what about that activity makes it life-giving for you.
Is it a break from the hectic rush of your day? Is it an activity to share with someone you love? Does it give you renewed energy? Does it affect your mood?
3) Consider ways to apply what you enjoy about this activity to other parts of your daily life.
Should you share more activities with a loved one? Do you need more alone time? Would you prefer to increase the time spent in your life-giving activity? Do you need to plan ahead to create space for more of the same or similar activities?
4) Come back and share your experience here.
What life-giving activity did you choose?
Holistic Body Theology 