Phileena Nikole: Contemplative Tradition and Meditation, A Salve for the Soul
Oct 22, 2023
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Phileena Nikole, a Spiritual Director and Centering Prayer Practitioner, shares her journey from social justice work to contemplative practices. She recounts transformative moments, including a pivotal invitation to a monastery. The conversation highlights the vital connection between spirituality and personal transformation, emphasizing the significance of stillness and self-awareness. Phileena also discusses the balance between active and contemplative spirituality, illustrating how these practices enrich her work and deepen understanding of self and community.
Centering prayer serves as a transformative practice that connects inner spirituality with external realities, aiding personal and spiritual growth.
The integration of contemplative practices with social justice work enhances emotional fulfillment and reduces burnout among activists engaged in meaningful actions.
Deep dives
The Importance of Centering Prayer in Daily Life
Centering prayer serves as a transformative practice that helps individuals connect their inner spirituality with external realities. It offers a method for deepening one’s relationship with God, addressing the need for more profound inner resources, especially when encountering suffering and hardships. Practitioners are encouraged to set aside distractions and dedicate time for stillness, which can lead to significant personal and spiritual growth. This practice not only resonates with the principles of mindfulness but also provides a structured approach to facilitating contemplation and awareness.
Integration of Contemplation and Action
The integration of contemplation with action is a key focus within the Christian contemplative tradition. Many individuals engaged in social justice work have found that grounding their activism in contemplative practices helps mitigate burnout, as it allows for deeper emotional and spiritual fulfillment. The relationships and methodologies cultivated through this integration encourage practitioners to reflect on their motivations and the impact of their actions within the world. This blending of action with a contemplative framework builds a more compassionate approach to addressing societal issues.
The Role of Community in Contemplative Practice
Community plays an essential role in enriching the practice of centering prayer and contemplative living. Participants often gather to share insights and experiences, fostering a sense of connection and support among diverse practitioners. Events, such as retreats and teachings from well-respected leaders like Thomas Keating, not only promote the sharing of wisdom but also create lasting bonds among those interested in the contemplative path. This sense of togetherness reinforces the idea that contemplation is not solely an individual journey but a collective experience that can enhance personal and spiritual development.
Pilgrimage as a Path to Spiritual Awakening
Engaging in pilgrimage can serve as a profound metaphor for spiritual growth and transformation. Hiking long distances, such as the Camino de Santiago, allows individuals to unplug from everyday life and reflect on their journey while connecting with their inner selves. Such practices require surrender and openness to the unexpected challenges and blessings encountered along the way, facilitating personal healing and awareness. Pilgrimage illustrates that spiritual practices can occur in various forms and settings, emphasizing that transformation is attainable through intentional movement and presence.
On today’s episode, we talk with Phileena Nikole who is well known in contemplative communities and spaces where she works as a Spiritual Director and Centering Prayer Practitioner. Phileena spent her early adult life in social justice work with poor and marginalized communities. This work led her to more than 70 countries where she helped to build community among victims of human trafficking, HIV and AIDS survivors, abandoned children, child soldiers, and war brides. She is passionate about spirituality and making the world a better place. She shares how she came to the practice of Centering Prayer, how it changed her life, and has shaped her work.
Season 2 of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts was made possible by a grant from the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation encouraging meditation, mindfulness, and contemplative prayer.
This episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts is produced by Crys & Tiana LLC www.crysandtiana.com
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