Everything Belongs: Living the Teachings of Richard Rohr Forward

How can we stay open to, and perhaps even become curious about, our rough edges?Today we delve further into the themes of Richard Rohr's book, 'Eager to Love,' focusing on the integration of the negative and the spirituality of imperfection. We're joined by very special guests Adam Bucko and Kaira Jewel Lingo, who share personal stories of their encounters with St. Francis and discuss the value of suffering, the Bodhisattva path, and the importance of accepting one's imperfections as a means to spiritual growth. Both share stories about the importance of feedback within community settings, as well as the integration of external practices with internal spiritual journeys. The conversation concludes with practical advice on how to approach life's challenges with joy and acceptance, noting that we're all on the road together, and everything belongs.Kaira Jewel Lingo is a Dharma teacher with a lifelong interest in spirituality and social justice. Her work continues the Engaged Buddhism developed by Thich Nhat Hanh, and she draws inspiration from her parents’ lives of service and her dad’s work with Martin Luther King, Jr. After living as an ordained nun for 15 years in Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastic community, Kaira Jewel now teaches internationally in the Zen lineage and the Vipassana tradition, as well as in secular mindfulness, at the intersection of racial, climate and social justice with a focus on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and activists, as well as artists, educators, families, and youth. Based in New York, she offers spiritual mentoring to groups and is author of We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons in Moving through Change, Loss and Disruption and co-author of Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy and Liberation.Adam Bucko is an Episcopal priest, teacher of contemplative spirituality, spiritual director, and activist. Born and raised in Poland under a totalitarian regime, his early exposure to spiritual activism deeply shaped his life's orientation. A committed voice in the renewal of Christian contemplation and new monasticism, he authored Let Your Heartbreak Be Your Guide: Lessons in Engaged Contemplation and co-authored Occupy Spirituality: A Radical Vision for a New Generation and The New Monasticism: An Interspiritual Manifesto for Contemplative Living. Currently, he directs The Center for Spiritual Imagination in New York, dedicated to democratizing monastic spirituality and teaching contemplative prayer in response to the cries of the poor and the earth. He also serves as a priest at the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City, New York. Together, Kaira and Adam lead The Beloved Community for Engaged Spirituality, inspired by the social vision of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Thich Nhat Hanh, and the Buddhist-Christian teachings of Engaged Contemplation.  Hosted by CAC Staff: Mike Petrow, and Paul SwansonResources: A PDF of the transcript for this episode can be found here. Grab a copy of Eager to Love here. To learn more about Kaira Jewel Lingo, visit her website here. Learn more about Adam Bucko, here. To find out more about Adam and Kaira's monastary, visit here.

How can we be open to what the darkness of Advent offers?In this conversation, Richard Rohr, Mike Petrow, Drew Jackson, and Paul Swanson explore the themes of Advent and Christmas, sharing personal traditions and reflections on the spiritual significance of the season. They discuss the importance of longing, waiting, and the transformative power of darkness, as well as the role of poetry in expressing these themes. The conversation culminates in poignant reading of a poem that encapsulates the essence of Advent, emphasizing the beauty found in the darkness and the anticipation of new beginnings.Hosted by CAC Staff: Mike Petrow, Paul Swanson, and Drew JacksonResources: The transcript for this episode can be found here. Grab a copy of Eager to Love here. Learn more about Drew Jackson's God Speaks Through Wombs, here.

How can we stay open to ongoing learning and growth, even when we don't have all the answers?In this episode, we’re joined by CAC's Dean of Core Faculty, Brian McLaren. Together, we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Eager to Love with Chapter 6: “An Alternative Orthodoxy: Paying Attention to Different Things.” In this episode, we explore the concept of "alternative orthodoxy," examining how Franciscan spirituality, Richard Rohr's personal teachings, and the Christian contemplative tradition challenge conventional religious frameworks and invite us to pay attention to different things. Before Mike and Drew begin the conversation with Brian, Mike and Paul catch up with Richard at his hermitage to hear his reflections on the sixth chapter of Eager to Love.Brian McLaren is the Dean of CAC Faculty. A former evangelical pastor, Brian D. McLaren is a champion for a more loving, inclusive and contemplative Christianity. A faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation, he teaches ways to reconnect with the message Jesus lived and died for—unconditional love. He is the author of Faith After Doubt, The Great Spiritual Migration, and host of CAC’s podcast Learning How to See.Hosted by CAC Staff: Mike Petrow, Paul Swanson, and Drew JacksonResources: A PDF of the transcript for this episode can be found here. Grab a copy of Eager to Love here. To learn more about Brian McLaren, visit his website here.

Carmen Acevedo Butcher is an award-winning author and poet, teaching at UC Berkeley. In this engaging conversation, she explores the transformative power of contemplation, suggesting that it offers a fresh perspective on life and spirituality. Carmen discusses the fluidity of prayer and its deep roots in Eastern Orthodoxy, emphasizing the importance of relationships in personal growth. She also reflects on how contemplation can illuminate the sacred in everyday experiences, fostering a profound connection with ourselves and the world around us.

What steps can you take to deepen your connection with the natural world?In this episode, we’re joined by CAC Affiliate Faculty member Rev. Dr. Randy Woodly. Together, we continue our chapter-by-chapter exploration of Eager to Love with Chapter 4: “Home Base: Nature and The Road.” This episode explores the wisdom of St. Francis and Jesus through the lens of Eloheh, emphasizing their connection to nature and their understanding of the kingdom of heaven as a state of harmony in the natural world. Before Mike begins the interview with Randy, Mike and Paul catch up with Richard at his hermitage to hear his reflections on the fourth chapter of Eager to Love.Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley is an activist, scholar, author, teacher, wisdom-keeper, and Cherokee descendant recognized by the Keetoowah Band who speaks on justice, faith, the earth, and Indigenous realities. He is the author of numerous books, including Becoming Rooted and Shalom and the Community of Creation. He and his wife, Edith, co-sustain Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice and Eloheh Farm & Seeds outside Portland, Oregon.Hosted by CAC Staff: Mike Petrow, Paul Swanson, and Drew JacksonResources: A PDF of the transcript for this episode can be found here. Grab a copy of Eager to Love here. To learn more about Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley, visit his website here. Check out Randy and Edith Woodley's new book, Journey to Eloheh here.

Dr. Barbara Holmes, a scholar in African American spirituality and mysticism, dives deep into the themes of simplicity and justice. She shares insights on how embracing simplicity can lead to freedom and foster community support. The concept of 'soft prophecy' as a peaceful response to suffering takes center stage, as she encourages living authentically in a complex world. Holmes also highlights the cosmological perspective that expands our understanding of race and power, inviting listeners to engage in social justice with imagination and compassion.

In this discussion, James Finley, a clinical psychologist and spiritual director, alongside Richard Rohr, a former prison chaplain, explore the profound themes of suffering as a pathway to compassion. They touch on the importance of mystical union and the healing power of recognizing our belovedness. Listeners are invited to consider how personal suffering can lead to solidarity with others. The conversation emphasizes embracing pain without becoming overwhelmed, urging a compassionate response to the world's struggles.

Welcome to Season 2 of Everything Belongs! This season, we'll be exploring Richard's book Eager to Love chapter-by-chapter, and what better way to kick off a brand new season than with our friend, Mirabai Starr. In this episode, we're covering Chapter One: "What Do We Mean by 'Mysticism'?" This episode explores the themes of mysticism, spirituality, and the sacredness of everyday life, examining the nature of mystical experiences, the importance of love, and how grief can lead to deeper spiritual understanding. Before we dive into the interview with Mirabai, Mike and Paul catch up with Richard at his hermitage to hear his reflections on the first chapter of Eager to Love.Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She taught Philosophy and World Religions at the University of New Mexico-Taos for 20 years and now teaches and speaks internationally on contemplative practice and inter-spiritual dialog. A certified bereavement counselor, Mirabai helps mourners harness the transformational power of loss. Her latest book, WILD MERCY: Living the Fierce & Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, was named one of the “Best Books of 2019”. She lives with her extended family in the mountains of northern New Mexico.Hosted by CAC Staff: Mike Petrow and Paul SwansonResources: A PDF of the transcript for this episode is available here. Grab a copy of Eager to Love here. Grab a copy of Mirabai's new book Ordinary Mysticism here. To learn more about Mirabai Starr and Wild Heart, visit her website here.

Welcome to Part 3 of our series responding to your questions. This episode continues the conversation from the previous two episodes responding to listener questions from Season 1 of Everything Belongs. Due to baby ducklings being born in the original conversation, we saved some of your questions and voicemails for Richard to be recorded at a later date. We'll see you soon for Season 2!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.

Welcome to Part 2 of our episodes responding to your questions. This episode continues the conversation from the previous episode responding to listener questions from Season 1 of Everything Belongs.About the guest:Cassidy Hall (she/her/hers) (MA, MDiv, MTS) is an author, award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and leading voice in contemplative spirituality. She is the cohost of the Encountering Silence podcast and the creator of the Contemplating Now and Queering Contemplation podcasts. Her films include In Pursuit of Silence and Day of a Stranger. Her forthcoming book, Queering Contemplation, Finding Queerness in the Roots and Future of Contemplative Spirituality is set for release in May of 2024. Cassidy is widely published and currently resides in Indianapolis, where she is studying for her DMin degree.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 Cassidy Hall, visit her website here. Grab a copy of Cassidy's book, Queering Contemplation, here. Connie Zweig's book The Inner Work of Age: From Role to Soul can be found here.