What God is Not Contemplation in the Active Life with Bishop Erik Varden
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Jun 4, 2025 Bishop Erik Varden, a Norwegian Catholic bishop and former Trappist monk, shares insights on living a contemplative life amidst the busyness of modern life. He discusses the significance of recognizing Jesus in others and the transformative power of silence and prayer. Delving into the Syriac Fathers, he emphasizes chastity as a path to wholeness and deeper desire. Bishop Varden reflects on his unique journey from monastic life to episcopal ministry while offering practical advice for maintaining spiritual depth in everyday activities.
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How A Chance Visit Sparked Vocation
- Erik Varden stumbled into monasticism after attending a meditation session at school and being moved by communal silence.
- A failed request to visit a Buddhist monastery led him to ask an Anglican priest and then to visit a Welsh Christian monastery at 17.
Receive Guests As Christ
- Practice Benedictine hospitality by receiving every guest as if they were Christ.
- Learn to see through appearances to the person beneath anxieties and masks.
Practice Prayer Everywhere
- Pray intentionally wherever you are and try to make the Lord present in ordinary settings.
- Use brief intentions (for people you meet) to maintain contemplative presence amid busyness.
