Fr. Justin Lanier: It’s All About What God Has in Mind for You
Oct 8, 2023
auto_awesome
Father Justin Lanier, a dedicated priest in the Episcopal Church with extensive experience in various Christian traditions, shares insights on contemplative practices. He discusses his transformative journey from Trappist monasticism to Zen Buddhist practices. The conversation highlights the importance of intentionality in spiritual living, balancing action with contemplation. Fr. Justin also emphasizes community's role in deepening spiritual journeys and advocates for accessible contemplative practices that foster collective growth and engagement.
Father Justin Lanier's journey into centering prayer emphasizes the importance of community and guidance in deepening one's spiritual practices.
Contemplative outreach adapts to contemporary needs, encouraging individuals to integrate centering prayer into daily life while recognizing the sacred in everyday tasks.
Deep dives
The Evolving Community of Contemplative Outreach
Contemplative outreach is identified as an evolving community with a dynamic vision that adapts to the needs of contemporary Christian contemplatives. This community emphasizes ongoing development and deepening practices, notably centering prayer, which serves as a mutual support network for individuals exploring contemplative spirituality. The podcast highlights the importance of understanding the historical context of contemplative outreach and its foundational principles, originally inspired by Father Thomas Keating’s teachings. The aim is to create a more inclusive space where individuals can deepen their practices and share insights in an environment that fosters growth and support.
Personal Journey into Centering Prayer
Justin Lanier’s personal journey into centering prayer began during his teenage years, influenced by early experiences in martial arts and a quest for deeper connection with God. After suffering a serious injury, he began exploring spiritual texts and ultimately encountered centering prayer through a workshop led by Father Thomas Keating. This transformative experience throughout his spiritual formation led Justin into monastic life, where he learned to embrace the contemplative practice while also navigating his own spiritual struggles. His story emphasizes the importance of guidance from a spiritual director and the profound impact that community connection can have on one’s practice.
Integrating Contemplative Practices in Daily Life
The conversation addresses the challenge of integrating contemplative practices into daily life outside of a monastic setting, stressing the need for intentionality. Justin shares experiences from his time in a Zen monastery, where the intensity of practice required constant return to focus and presence, contrasting with the more receptive approach found in Christian monasticism. He points out the importance of recognizing the sacred in everyday tasks, suggesting that contemplative awareness can permeate all activities, not just formal prayer sessions. Moments of surrender during the chaos of daily life, such as parenting, highlight the adaptability of centering prayer in a fast-paced world.
The Role of Community in Contemplative Practice
The podcast underscores Father Thomas Keating's vision of community in contemplative outreach, which prioritizes connection between individuals dedicated to contemplative practices. This communal framework encourages mutual support among practitioners, fostering relationships that inspire shared learning and spiritual growth. Justin recalls his experiences with various contemplative groups, illustrating how the gatherings transcended mere social interaction, becoming spaces of genuine care and love. This development of communal bonds in diverse settings emphasizes that contemplative practices can thrive in both structured environments and informal relationships, contributing significantly to individual journeys.
In today’s episode, we welcome Father Justin Lanier, a Priest in the Episcopal Church. He was born in Louisiana and grew up in Delaware where he went to Methodist, Roman Catholic and Episcopal churches. Early in his formation, Father Justin entered the St. Benedict’s Trappist monastery community in Snowmass under Abbot Joseph Boyle where Father Thomas Keating was resident. Fr. Justin was under the direction of these two men until their deaths in 2018. Fr. Justin was also sent to train in a Rinzai Zen monastery in Japan as part of his formation. Throughout his formation, he has been in touch with Contemplative Outreach teachers and presenters. In this episode, we will focus on the expanding vision of the community of Contemplative Outreach.
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