Contemplify

Morgan Atkinson has documented the life of Thomas Merton over two films. The poetic contemplative Thomas Merton lived an ever expanding and continual openness to God's love and Atkinson beautifully captures this on film. In this episode discover Thomas Merton as the rescuer of the contemplative tradition in Christianity, the middle-aged monk who fell ass over heels in love with a student nurse, and open dialogues with other religious traditions through the depth of each's contemplative stream. Atkinson has produced multiple documentaries on Thomas Merton, John Howard Griffin, Anna and Harlan Hubbard among many others. In our conversation we focus on what life lessons from Thomas Merton, his life as an artist and monk, what his students thought of him, and his ongoing legacy in the contemplative communities. Merton is a hero of mine, for his humor, humility, deep sense of wonder and of course for the quote that begins episode one of Contemplify, "I drink beer whenever I can lay my hands on any. I love beer, and by that very fact, the world."

Eric O. Springsted spends some time with Contemplify to explore the life and attention of Simone Weil.  The French philosopher, mystic and activist dared to imagine an authentic life based on the attention and practice of love for all of humanity. Weil came into her own through a contemplative stance hard-won through affliction and openness.  Springsted has spent his entire career drawing from the deep well of wisdom that is Simone Weil.  In our conversation we focus on what Simone Weil might say about the current education system, her freedom of thought, how poetry transformed Weil's life and Springsted's own story of connecting to Weil's work. Pay close attention to all that is at hand, make Weil proud. 

Donald Worster ( @TheWorster1979 ) connects with Contemplify to traverse the life and passion of John Muir. The American icon who combined intelligence and curiosity with a grounded love for the wilderness. Muir held a natural contemplative bent that married an abiding sense of purpose.  The landscape of John Muir's life is pretty well documented, in my conversation with Donald we focus on the unique character of John Muir, the life lessons the current generations could learn from him and the connecting with the spirit of John Muir and his predecessors. Find something stiff to drink, a night sky full of stars and go for a walk as you listen to this conversation. Donald Worster is an author, scholar and professor at Renmin University of China.

Amy Frykholm (@AmyFrykholm) joins Contemplify in conversation on visionary 13th century contemplative and mystic Julian of Norwich. Bring some mead to the table because we cover a lot of ground here; the near death experience of Julian that catapulted her writing (by the by, Julian was the first woman to write a book in English), Amy's life-altering encounter with Julian, a Noble prize winning contemplative geneticist who listened to corn, drink recommendations for a conversation on Julian of Norwich and much more. Amy Frykholm is an author, poet, contributor and editor at The Christian Century (@ChristianCent).

This episode introduces the premise and possibilities of the Contemplify podcast. Contemplify kindles the examined life for contemplatives in the world through musings and interviews with scholars, creatives, and practitioners. Visit us at Contemplify.com