Following a week that many across the world have found painful and troubling. I was delighted to receive a message that wisdom teacher Cynthia Bourgeault has recorded a response to the Elections in the US, which is an excellent demonstration of the way in which regular contemplative practices such as centreing prayer can enable us to bring stillness and skillfulness to our responses, and to act as a non-reactive “third force” that stays in touch with the vision of oneness of humanity that is key to Christ’s ministry.
Cynthia talks of the heartbreak that many are feeling and reminds us that it’s not going to work to get caught in deepening division, fear and judgement. We need to be in our bodies and in the moment, and see what needs to be done. She has two practical suggestions for how we can establish solidarity with the one body of humanity and of the earth. It is worth taking eight minutes to listen to her words.
Richard Rohr’s Centre for Action and Contemplation (www.cac.org) has uploaded Cynthia’s talk onto Vimeo, so that everyone can access it. Go to www.vimeo.com/191109234 to watch it.
Cynthia’s new book The Heart of Centering Prayer is also due out soon.
