Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault: A Common Sense of Shared Oneness
Dec 10, 2023
auto_awesome
In this engaging talk, Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault, a modern-day mystic and Episcopal priest, dives into the transformative power of contemporary contemplative practices like Centering Prayer. She discusses her deep connections within spiritual mentorship and the importance of embodying physicality in spiritual practices. Cynthia emphasizes the unifying role of contemplation across faiths, and the balance required in spiritual leadership for fostering community growth. Her insights aim to inspire a new generation of Wisdom teachers.
Cynthia Bourgeault emphasizes the transformative practice of Centering Prayer by fostering objectless awareness, leading to deeper connections and a sense of shared oneness with God.
The importance of embodying spiritual practices through community engagement and traditional monastic principles is highlighted as essential for enhancing contemporary contemplative experiences.
Deep dives
The Transformative Practice of Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is defined as a method designed to facilitate contemplation, focusing on being open to God's presence and action. The practice involves selecting a sacred word that symbolizes the intention to consent to this presence, which practitioners gently return to when distracted by thoughts. This method encourages consistency and commitment, with participants typically committing to two 20-minute sessions daily. The transformative impact of this practice is highlighted through personal experiences and the shared journey of its practitioners.
Cynthia Bourgeau's Journey and Insights
Cynthia Bourgeau narrates her journey to Centering Prayer, detailing her initial readings of Thomas Keating and the pivotal moment when she engaged in the practice at Snowmass. Her unique experiences, including interactions with Keating, shape her understanding of the practice and its importance in contemporary spiritual life. She emphasizes her commitment to teaching and sharing these insights through workshops and her writings, blending traditional Christian teachings with modern contemplative practices. This personal evolution demonstrates the deep connection between Centering Prayer and the broader tradition of spirituality.
Objectless Awareness and Its Importance
Bourgeau discusses the concept of objectless awareness, a critical aspect of Centering Prayer, which involves letting go of all thoughts and being aware without attaching to any specific object. This practice encourages practitioners to empty themselves, aligning it with the theme of kenosis, or self-emptying, as exemplified in the life of Christ. Through this method, individuals can experience a transformation that leads to a deeper connection with God and a sense of oneness, moving beyond the limitations of dualistic thinking. Ultimately, this awareness enables practitioners to cultivate presence without the distractions of thought.
Embodiment and the Future of Centering Prayer
The need for embodiment in Centering Prayer is articulated as essential for its future relevance and effectiveness, moving beyond mere intellectual engagement. It is suggested that grounding spiritual practices in the physical world—such as community service and physical labor—can enhance the contemplative experience. Bourgeau stresses the importance of reconnecting Centering Prayer with traditional monastic practices that integrate emotional and physical dimensions of spirituality. This holistic approach aims to equip practitioners to navigate the complexities of contemporary spirituality while honoring the foundational teachings of Thomas Keating.
Welcome back to the final episode of Opening Minds, Opening Hearts for this season! We have enjoyed the thought-provoking conversations we’ve had with our guests this season and today we are excited to speak with Cynthia Bourgealt. Cynthia is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader. She divides her time between solitude and sailing the waters around her seaside hermitage in Maine, and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian Contemplative and Wisdom paths. She believes that the strength of a lineage depends on the strength of its students. She has taken an active interest in mentoring the new generation of Wisdom teachers and leaders.
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
Stream and Download the Opening Minds, Opening Hearts Podcast NOW for FREE on Apple Podcast, Google, Amazon and Spotify!
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode