Abba Lot went to see Abba Joseph and said to him:
Abba, as much as I am able I practice a small rule, a little fasting, some prayer and meditation, and remain quiet and as much as possible keep my thoughts clean.
What else should I do?
Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven, and his fingers became like ten torches of flame and he said to him:
If you wish, you can become all flame.
Devotion is the antidote for desire.
During the lockdown, I was blessed with the opportunity to study the Bhagavad Gita with a beloved teacher and a few friends. We met weekly to discuss scripture and collectively explore our curiosities. Between sessions, I drowned myself in information about different Hindu denominations and their approaches to divine union. While conducting research, I stumbled upon a description of abstinence that completely transformed my understanding of what it means to live. Abstinence is not refusing the pleasures of life, it is accepting that you are all of life’s abundance embodied. It is a practice that reinforces the truth that we are not separate from all that is. Therefore, the delight we seek exists within us; it is already ours. Simply put, we are craving ourselves. A fool’s errand, albeit a glorious one (there’s something so delicious about aching for yourself). Our mind is constantly seduced by the idea of us. So much so, we forget that we already belong to ourselves and spend lifetimes in a state of longing.
In the beginning, there is struggle and a lot of work for those who come near God. But after that, there is indescribable joy. It is just like building a fire: at first it’s smokey and your eyes water, but later you get the desired result.
Thus we ought to light the divine fire in ourselves with tears and effort.
Longing is a winding road home.
My mother regularly reminds me that mystics aren’t without desire, they’re just clear that it is a symptom of human forgetfulness. When we’re distracted by the chaos of life, it’s difficult to remember that we are life. Mystical living is about cultivating conditions to constantly be reminded of our Oneness with all that is. Presence is a practice, not an idea. The same way thinking about home doesn’t immediately teleport you there, no amount of intellectual wrestling will lead to divine union. You have to be ready and willing to walk the path. If no one has ever invited you, consider this your formal invitation to join the fold. Perfectionism isn’t useful here. The only eligibility requirement is desire.
Abba Poemen said to Abba Joseph:
Tell me how I can become a monk.
And he replied: If you want to find rest here and hereafter,
say in every occasion, who am I? and do not judge anyone.
Mysticism is a recipe for ecstasy.
December’s spirit guide consists of tools and techniques for cultivating presence in daily life. This is not some capitalist spiritual diet plan. So again, perfection is not necessary. When you remember, you do. When you forget, you forgive. The Beloved meets you where you are. Eventually, you’ll have your own practice and that practice will become instinctual. No rush, your relationship with the divine is a forever thing. The following guidance is inspired by the Trappist Rule of Life which centers prayer, reading and work.
Centering Prayer
Centering Prayer is a form of contemplation inspired by the ancient meditation practices of East and South Asia. During this practice, participants select an excerpt from scripture to ground their meditation and a sacred word to return to when they lose focus. I’ve included videos from Br. Thomas Keating below where he does a deep dive into Centering Prayer: its methods and meaning. I’ve also included the Centering Prayer mobile app which provides guidance for new practitioners.
Centering Prayer (Website)
Centering Prayer (Mobile App)
The Method of Centering Prayer, Part One (Video)
The Method of Centering Prayer, Part Two (Video)
Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina translates to divine reading and is a form of scripture study. As Christians, we engage the Bible as the primary form of scripture but the tool is more important than the material. Work with whichever scripture resonates most for you at this moment. Some of my favorites are the Qur'an, the Devi Mahatmya and Tao Te Ching. For Trappist monks, this practice is split into four parts:
I. Lectio, reading the word of God.
II. Meditatio, meditating on that word.
III. Oratio, offering a prayer response to the mediated word.
IV. Contemplatio, quietly contemplating the experience of being.
Opus Dei
Opus Dei translates to the work of God and is the foundation of spiritual experience. Everyday life is sacred. Therefore, mystics dedicate every action to the Beloved. This intention transforms all forms of work into practices of devotion. Nothing about your external reality needs to change for your inner life to be rich and fulfilling. As our Buddhist siblings wisely proclaim: Before enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment, chop wood, carry water. Christian mysticism is guided by the life of Jesus, for this reason we center the needs of the marginalized. In the words of Isaiah 1:17, we “learn to do good; seek justice; rescue the oppressed; defend the orphan; plead for the widow.” Whether it’s through volunteering, mutual-aid or organizing, the mystical path demands our involvement in creating heaven on earth.
Mystic of the Month: Sr. Thea Bowman (1937-1990)
Thea Bowman (1937-1990) was a Franciscan nun, scholar, musician and liturgist. She is currently in the canonization process to become a saint for her contributions to Catholicism and work in African American communities. She co-founded the National Black Sisters Conference, a convening for African American women embracing religious life. She also co-produced Lead Me, Guide Me, the African American Catholic hymnal. Sr. Bowman composed two albums Songs of My People and ‘Round the Glory Manger and examined the essence of African American hymns in her essay “The Gift of African American Sacred Song.”
Sr. Thea’s Address to U.S. Bishops
Speech from U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (1989)
“I think the difference between me and some people is that I’m content to do my little bit. Sometimes people think they have to do big things in order to make change. But if each one would light a candle we’d have a tremendous light.” – Sr. Thea Bowman
Bibliography
Mayers, Gregory. Listen to the Desert. ACTA Publishers, 2014.
Nomura, Yushi. Desert Wisdom: Sayings from the Desert Fathers. Image Books, 1988.
Stewart, Columba. The Word of the Desert Fathers. SLG Press, 1986.
Thanks for these shares! These are soooo good! I already went down the rabbit hole of Alice Coltrane who I never heard of till your other post! And now, Sr. Thea Bowman. I had been totally oblivious to the work of black women in the mystical spaces.