Steve Marks

The Decline of Christianity... and the Future of Mysticism "The Christian of the future will be a mystic" — but what will the mystic of the future be?

open.substack.com/pub/carlmcco...

"To live within the contemplative tradition is not only to keep searching. It is also an invitation to evolve within and alongside it." ~
@cassidyhall.bsky.social

The Empire’s Power Brian McLaren reflects on the different understandings of power held by the early Jesus movement and the Roman Empire:  The historical reality of

"Christian faith initially grew as a nonviolent spiritual movement of counter-imperial values. It promoted love, not war. Its primal creed elevated solidarity, not oppression and exclusion." A must (4 minute) read: cac.org/daily-medita...

An opportunity to be present in the midst of hope continues nearly a year later...

Mysticism Matters More Than Ever It's the Only Real Alternative to Dualistic, Aggressive Forms of Religion and Belief

"Love is the unified means by which we seek to affirm the good, and respond compassionately to the evil." ~ Carl McColman
open.substack.com/pub/carlmcco...

Intro to Centering Prayer: Opening to God’s Presence - Closer Than Breath Meditation: Pathway to Divine Love In a world of increasing divisiveness and deception, it is becoming crucial that we rediscover our spiritual dimension and its energies, especially that of love. Med...

"Meditation: Pathway to Divine Love" ~ Dr. Jana Rentzel closerthanbreath.com/intro-to-cen...

Tune in to Nature…

“And what is the use of praying if at the very moment of prayer, we have so little confidence in God that we are busy planning our own kind of answer to our prayer?” –Thomas Merton, Thoughts in Solitude

JUST TO BE CLEAR…

“Love Your Neighbor” Christianity! ❤️

Living in the moment…

Honored to be presenting with the Spirituality In Nature Gathering at the Valle Crucis Conference Center Labyrinth, Sunday, May 4 at 4:30 pm. Bring a lawn chair or blanket as come together around the theme of water for a time of mindfulness and sharing.

"The Most Important Spiritual Discovery Of All Time" Do you know the universal spiritual secret contained in all religions? A hint: It can be found within.

“The Most Important Spiritual Discovery of All Time” - www.patheos.com/blogs/wakeup...

Shout out to everyone who dares to live with their heart wide open even when living this way will mean sometimes he will get hurt. Picture by Katie abey Picture of a bee with a heart on a pastel rainbow background black writing on a white speech bubble

“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” Brené Brown

There is strength in an open heart. It’s one of the bravest things we can do.
🧡

#kindness #positivity

Picture by Katie Abey

Let this soak in, please…

Islands of Sanity Richard Rohr explores the nature of evil—and our collective complicity in it.  After all our religion, higher education, reformations, and

"We find ourselves hungry for communion with others who are also seeking to live examined, mindful lives, to pull aside with even two or three mindful people for deep, honest fellowship." cac.org/daily-medita...

"This is the nature of mature, mystical religion: simple and clear. We shave away as many religious assumptions and judgments as possible and reground religion on one lone conviction... a divine love that can only be experienced and not proved by rational logic." ~ Richard Rohr @cac-org.bsky.social

Can Love Be Saved? | Carl McColman Get more from Carl McColman on Patreon

"Call me old-fashioned, but I believe that if you want to be a follower of the 1st-century rabbi from Nazareth..." www.patreon.com/posts/can-lo... @carlmccolman.bsky.social

When someone recognizes the error of their ways, it may be difficult for them to say, “I was wrong.” And at the same time, it may be difficult for those who feel wronged to say, “I forgive you.” May we all strive to practice acceptance and forgiveness in this ever changing climate of chaos.

"I always hesitate to bring my political beliefs into this space. I don’t think my listeners would expect that from me and some of you will find it disappointing: not what you were looking for... "

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Being kind is the easiest way to make yourself and others feel better

Image: www.instagram.com/headspace

"The great lesson from the true mystics . . . is that the sacred is in the ordinary, that it is to be found in one's daily life, in one's neighbors, friends, and family, in one's back yard." ~ Abraham H. Maslow

Perhaps even more important than ever...

Sunday evening flurries…

Resolutions…

Here’s to a New Year filled with an array of color across the NC mountains. @timbuckleywx.bsky.social @wataugaonline.bsky.social @wxbrad.bsky.social

“To love in times of division is one of the greatest challenges of the spiritual path. But it is also one of the greatest openings to the Divine.” ~ Keith Kristich, Closer Than Breath

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

"The authentic mystic can never flee from the world. He or she must resonate with the suffering and the agony that is the common legacy of humankind.…" ~ William Johnston

Thanks Dan. I appreciate your work in helping us to be more informed.