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Feile Bríde
Statue of St. Brigid at the holy well of Liscannor, Co. Clare, Ireland. Affectionately dubbed "our lady of the phone booth" by an irreverent friend. Photograph by Carl McColman. Happy St. Brigid’s day,...
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The Snakes and the Slaves
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day. As I ponder on this day, I am reminded that it, like Columbus Day, can elicit a radically different response from people, based on their world-view and value system. Columbus...
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Celtic Spirituality and Radical Activism: August 17-24, 2010
I’m excited to announce that Gareth Higgins and I plan to co-facilitate a Contemplative Spirituality and Social Action Immersion Week in Gareth’s home of northern Ireland this August — yes, you read...
View ArticleItinerary for Northern Ireland Retreat
Here is a tentative outline for the Contemplative Spirituality and Social Activism Retreat to take place in Northern Ireland this August. While some of the details are still subject to change, this...
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Someone who WON’T be going to Northern Ireland in August…
Here is a little “friend” we discovered in the woods behind the Abbey Store at the monastery where I work. Needless to say, Saint Patrick is not in Georgia. This, of course, is a black snake, who helps...
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What I’m reading to prepare for the Northern Ireland Retreat
Several books are on my bedside table right now, as I reflect on the spirituality and political history of Northern Ireland (and Ireland in general) in advance of the Contemplative Spirituality and...
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The Giant’s Causeway
Here’s a picture of the Giant’s Causeway I took in 2002. It will be so nice to get back there, after eight years.
View ArticleOff to Ireland
Well, dear friends, today I pack my bags and tie up a few loose ends around the house. I’ll go visit my dad this afternoon and go to mass tonight. Tomorrow I board a plane to Newark where I’ll catch a...
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Photos from Northern Ireland
Heading to Downpatrick: the beautiful Irish countryside The only camera I had with me on my recent trip to Northern Ireland was my iPhone camera. So I didn’t take a lot of pictures, and the ones I did...
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Patricia Monaghan 1946-2012
The Red-Haired Girl from the Bog I am sad to note the passing of Patricia Monaghan, who died yesterday after living with cancer. Pat wrote the foreword for my Complete Idiot’s Guide to Celtic Wisdom....
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A Quick Word
Just Letting You Know What I'm Up To Photo by Fran McColman Friends, you may have noticed that I’m not posting much lately. Don’t worry, that’s only a temporary situation. I am currently focussed on...
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Deeper into the Heart of Christ
Christian Spirituality: Seeing Every Moment of Life as an Invitation into the Sacred Heart Christian spirituality: it’s about a new way of seeing. Over the past year I have become interested in the...
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My Wonderful Book Covers
European Architecture Graces the Design of Three of my Books As an author (especially as a spiritual author), I always have to walk a fine line: the nature of marketing means I need to be promoting my...
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Does Union with God mean Losing Your Self?
Contemplation Inspires Us to Be Unique Expressions of Divine Love Be yourself. Everyone else is taken! “If the goal of the contemplative is union with God, does the individual begin to disappear and...
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How to Find a Contemplative-Friendly Church
Hint: Inquire Within Spirituality is all about love, and love only exists in relationship. Therefore, spirituality is healthiest when it is expressed in a communal way. For better or worse, this means...
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The Three Advents
When we honor Mary, and look forward in hope, let us remain present to the longing for Divine Love in our hearts today Advent is almost over. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and the season of Christmas...
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What Are We Afraid Of?
Reflecting on the Social Awkwardness of Silence Sometimes silence is the best way to communicate I’ve been reading Bill Bryson’s charming and delightful book on the English language, The Mother Tongue,...
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Seven Reasons to Pray the Divine Office
Prayer Does Not Change God — It Changes Us Everyone knows that monks devote their lives to silence, but also to daily prayer and chanting. Monastic prayer occurs at fixed-hours throughout the day. The...
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Philippians 2 and the Heart Sūtra
Form and Emptiness as Keys to Contemplative Practice One of my favorite passages in the New Testament is the hymn found in Philippians 2:5-11: Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who,...
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Is Contemplation Dangerous?
If a tool is powerful, handle it with respect Is contemplation the key to happiness, or a path to holiness? (Photo credit: Shutterstock) Is contemplation dangerous? Some people think so. This past...
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