This week provides an opportunity to both explore and practice communal contemplation. Rooted in the Wisdom tradition we will see how contemplation deepens our capacity to see from our heart to understand our heart as an organ of perception. Looking at Jesus from the Wisdom tradition, we will focus on Kenosis and on the invitation to surrender to the Divine Mystery. In the Kenosis of God’s love, we will reflect on our experience of unity within divinity and how it is part of our evolutionary journey.

Finally, we will integrate our contemplative practice with developing our consciousness so as to respond out of a contemplative heart to the injustices and polarities we are experiencing today. Communal contemplative sitting will be integrated into every day of our time together.

Resource Person: Sr. Nancy Sylvester, IHM, MA, attended St. Louis University and received her Master’s degree in Human Development, concentrating on Theology and Economics. In 1977, she was invited to join NETWORK, a National Catholic Social Justice Lobby founded by Catholic Sisters. She became a researcher working on national and international issues. In 1982, Sr. Nancy was named Executive Director of NETWORK and continued her research and speaking engagements on Catholic Social Justice Teachings. After 15 years at NETWORK, Nancy was elected to leadership in her Congregation and eventually became the President of the Leadership Conference for Women Religious (LCWR).

After all these experiences, Nancy came to the realization that ‘the world is at a critical moment and it demands a new consciousness”. In 2002, Nancy founded the INSTITUTE FOR COMMUNAL CONTEMPLATION AND DIALOGUE (ICCD). She is presently the President and Executive Director. She seeks to integrate “psychology, theology, philosophy, politics and science in a collage of perspectives so people can see how the pieces are related.” She is convinced that we can change ourselves and the way we engage a situation. By taking action in this way, we change the world and thereby live with integrity in this transitional time. ICCD believes that with a new level of consciousness and contemplation we are invited into the realm of transformation.

Bibliography

Bourgeault, Cynthia. The Heart of Centering Prayer. Boulder: Shambhala, 2016.

______________. Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening. Cowley Publications, 2004.

______________. The Wisdom Jesus Transforming Heart and Mind--A New Perspective on Christ
and His Message. Shambhala: Boston, 2008.

Bruteau, Beatrice. The Grand Option. Notre Dame: Notre Dame Press, 2001.

Keating, Thomas. The Human Condition-Contemplation and Transformation. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1999.

King, Ursula. Christ in All Things. New York: Orbis, 2016

Soelle, Dorothy. The Silent Cry-Mysticism and Resistance. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress, 2001

Sylvester, IHM, Nancy. Reflections that can be found at www.iccdinstitute.org. Click on Contemplation and the GSR reflections to read about contemplation.