Carmen Acevedo Butcher discusses cultivating acceptance and simplicity through contemplative practice. She shares insights on restful stillness, diving into wordless, imageless Love. The conversation delves into shifting practices of contemplation, highlighting the evolving stages of life. Carmen's expertise in translation and spirituality adds depth to the discussion on embracing 'Second Simplicity'.
Embracing complexity with wonder leads to a second simplicity in life's journey.
Acknowledging internal contradictions fosters peace and understanding in spiritual growth.
Navigating paradoxes with humility and compassion can unveil a deeper sense of interconnectedness.
Deep dives
Discovering Radiant Simplicity Through Second Simplicity
Simplicity is often misunderstood in a complex world, seen as a dismissal of life's intricacies. Richard Rohr discusses a second simplicity that embraces complexity with a contemplative approach, viewing paradoxes with wonder. This second simplicity involves engaging with life's entangled journey, finding meaning in the evocative ripples of the Gospels.
Embracing Reflection and Paradox to Reach Second Simplicity
Richard Rohr's discussion on facing internal paradoxes and contradictions leads to a second simplicity marked by peace and acceptance. By acknowledging contradictions, individuals can progress towards a deeper sense of peace and understanding, moving beyond the need for clear-cut distinctions between good and bad.
Finding Meaning Through Paradox and Humility
Navigating paradox within spiritual lives can lead to a sense of second simplicity, where individuals hold tensions and contradictions with humility and compassion. By embracing complexity without the need for immediate resolution, a deeper sense of meaning can be discovered through love and empathy, leading to a sense of peace and interconnectedness.
Appreciating Mystery, Textures, and Nuances in Life
Richard Rohr's teachings on mystery and second simplicity emphasize the importance of engaging with life's unfolding complexities. Recognizing that meaning evolves over time, individuals can find solace in the mysteries of existence, viewing life as a textured landscape where paradoxes and tensions coexist, ultimately leading to a sense of humility, compassion, and interconnectedness.
Embracing Second Simplicity Through Living in the Moment
Living in second simplicity involves being fully present in each moment, letting go of preconceptions and embracing the mystery of existence. It's about immersing oneself in the present with deep attention and appreciation, finding joy in the simplicity of just breathing and experiencing each moment fully. The concept entails deep listening, turning with others in a conversational dance, elevating each other in the shared journey of exploration and understanding.
The Power of Conversation in Cultivating Curiosity and Honesty
Conversation serves as a transformative container that fosters curiosity, honesty, and wonder. By engaging in deep dialogue, individuals can move beyond rigid instructions or precepts, allowing for authenticity and vulnerability to emerge. Deep listening in conversations nurtures relationships and helps individuals gain deeper insights into themselves and the world around them. The exchange of ideas and experiences in conversation propels personal growth and spiritual development, creating a space for exploration and connection on the path of contemplation and action.
How can we transform our understanding of life and self to cultivate a deeper sense of acceptance, letting go, and a "Second Simplicity" in the face of life's inevitable challenges?
In this episode, we're joined by Carmen Acevedo Butcher as we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Falling Upward with Chapter 9: "A Second Simplicity." In this conversation, Carmen offers thoughts on her shifting practice of contemplative stillness—depending on her stage of life. It’s something she calls “resting in wordless, imageless, Love.” Before we dive in to the interview with Carmen, CAC staff catch up with Richard at his hermitage to hear his reflections on the ninth chapter a decade after he originally wrote it.
Carmen Acevedo Butcher, PhD, is an author, teacher, poet, and award-winning translator of spiritual texts. Her dynamic work around the evolution of language and the necessity of just and inclusive language has garnered interest from various media, including the BBC and NPR's Morning Edition. A Carnegie Foundation Professor of the Year and Fulbright Senior Lecturer, Acevedo Butcher teaches at the University of California, Berkeley, in the College Writing Programs.
Resources:
A PDF of the transcript for this episode is available here.
Grab a copy of the newly revised version of Falling Upward, with a new foreword by Brené Brown here.
To learn more about Carmen's work, visit her website here.
Connect with us:
Have a question or thought about this season that you'd like to share with us?
