The Moon
Poet, Zhang Jiuling (张九龄, 675-740 AD), is one of the most famous and popular of all Chinese poets. In fact this poem is often taught to young school children in China today. Looking at the Moon and Thinking of One Far Away, We dedicate Looking at the Moon to everyone who feels lonely and misses […]
Pied Beauty
Pied Beauty, by Jerard Manley Hopkins, is a classic— a lovely little poem from the 1800’s which is so lyrical and so evocative that it is still relevant and can still charm us, even today.
The Night
Rainer Maria Rilke uses the image of night to take us beyond the surface and the limits of our prejudices, to see “people, nations, just as they are”.
All That Has Never Been Spoken
This is a meditation from a poem by Rainer Maria Rilke in his Book of Hours 1,12, in which the poet prays to his muse for inspiration.
The Hour is Striking
This lovely little poem by Rainer Maria Rilke speaks to the importance of our being mindful and aware — to live in the moment.
I am the One
Hildegard von Bingen, a mystic and visionary from the Middle Ages, wrote beautiful songs, chants and poetry. This is one of our favorites — crafted into a visual meditation with beautiful and evocative imagery.
The King’s Robes
Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem, The King’s Robes from his Book of Hours, is one of his “Love Poems to God.” It reminds the reader to avoid worshipping false images.
Embracing Our Vulnerability
Visual translation of Rainer Maria Rilke poem. Perhaps all the dragons in our lives….
Centering Prayer Meditation
Are centering prayer and meditation the same thing? How do you meditate, and why should you do it? Our group of contemplative practitioners talks about why meditation is important and how they practice it.
Devotional vs Contemplative Practices
Our speakers discuss the difference between devotional and contemplative practices
Is Contemplation Isolating?
The Contemplative Path—is it Isolating? We asked our speakers if they felt that being a contemplative means being isolated, or removed from the world. Here are some of their responses.
Contemplation in the Material World
Where does the contemplative life fit, in terms of living in the material world? We asked our group of speakers how a contemplative practice can be assimilated into an everyday life in the material world. Their answers were varied and thoughtful.
Contemplation: Why to Practice It
The overall goal of meditation is to go beyond the conscious mind in order to experience a state of inner peace and happiness. In this episode of our series on The Contemplative Path, our speakers talk about why they practice meditation, and what the practice does for them.
Contemplation: How to Practice It
How is a contemplative practice done? A contemplative, or unitive experience, is often reached by “letting go” rather than by direct effort. Ironically, this requires an intentional effort: the goal of the contemplative is to move toward an interior quiet and an openness to life as it is in the present moment. Formal meditation is […]