Session 1c The Contemplative Stream

Session 1cTheContemplative Stream : 

Session 1cTheContemplative Stream Theological Foundations, Spiritual Formation and Psychotherapy

Julian of Norwich (1342 – 1423) : 

Julian of Norwich (1342 – 1423) Mystic, contemplative, feminist "Because of the great, infinite love which God has for all humankind, he makes no distinction in love between the blessed soul of Christ and the lowliest of the souls that are to be saved . . . We should highly rejoice that God dwells in our soul and still more highly should we rejoice that our soul dwells in God. Our soul is made to be God's dwelling place, and the dwelling place of our soul is God who was never made." JoN

Julian of Norwich (1342 – 1423) : 

Julian of Norwich (1342 – 1423) Mystic, contemplative, feminist The Julian Cross is from the coat of arms of St Julien of Le Mans in France, believed to be the Julian for which the church of St Julian in Norwich was named, and from which Mother Julian took her name. Historically, it has been understood as a 'missionary cross', pointing to the four corners of the world. Without abandoning this understanding, as our prayer is meant to embrace the entire world. (From http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/julianofnorwich.htm)

St. John of the Cross : 

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) The Dark Night of the Soul Major Works: The Spiritual Canticle The Dark Night of the Soul

St. John of the Cross : 

St. John of the Cross (1542-1591) “Let it suffice to have said that this Spanish saint is one of the greatest and most hidden of the saints, that of all saints he is perhaps the greatest poet as well as the greatest contemplative, and that in his humility he was also most human…” Thomas Merton on St. John of the Cross

Brother Lawrence(1611 – 1691) : 

Brother Lawrence(1611 – 1691) A monk who lived in France during the seventeenth century. His spiritual counsel was simple: “Throughout every day, keep an ongoing conversation with God. ” Major Work: The Practice of the Presence of God

Brother Lawrence(1611 – 1691) : 

Brother Lawrence(1611 – 1691) A monk who lived in France during the seventeenth century. His spiritual counsel was simple: “Throughout every day, keep an ongoing conversation with God. ” "I make it my business to rest in His holy presence,, which I keep myself in by a habitual, silent, and secret conversation with God. This often causes in me joys and raptures inwardly, and sometimes also outwardly, so great that I am forced to use means to moderate them, and prevent their appearance to others."  "Believe and count as lost all the time that is not spent in loving God."

Therese of Lisieux : 

Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897) - “Little Flower” “Our Lord needs from us neither great deeds nor profound thoughts. Neither intelligence nor talents. He cherishes simplicity.” “It is such a folly to pass one's time fretting, instead of resting quietly on the heart of Jesus.” Major Work: Story of a Soul Often used the imagery of nature to explain how the Divine Presence is everywhere (From http://www.littleflower.org/)

Henri Nouwen : 

Henri Nouwen Quotes: “Prayer is first of all listening to God. It's openness. God is always speaking; he's always doing something. Prayer is to enter into that activity. ... Convert your thoughts into prayer. As we are involved in unceasing thinking, so we are called to unceasing prayer. The difference is not that prayer is thinking about other things, but that prayer is thinking in dialogue, ... a conversation with God.”

Henri Nouwen : 

Henri Nouwen Quotes: “Let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to the place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken. But this is not our spontaneous response to suffering. What we desire most is to do away with suffering by fleeing from it or finding a quick cure for it. Those who can sit in silence with their fellowman, not knowing what to say but knowing that they should be there, can bring new life in a dying heart.” (From http://www.quoteland.com/author.asp?AUTHOR_ID=1875)

http://www.renovare.org/ : 

http://www.renovare.org/ Renovaré - A nonprofit organization that advocates, encourages, and resources intentional living and spiritual formation.