How many decisions do you make every day? And how do you make those decisions? Today, it seems we hear a lot of "I like it" or "I don't like it." I like a certain coffee shop. I don't like this other coffee shop? The real question is, why do you like one over the other?
How many major decisions do you make every year? Major decisions might be things such as, buying a car or a home, or choosing the school your children are going to attend. Or if you're going to college, which one to attend? Would you make those decisions simply based on whether you "like it" or not?
How many life changing decisions have you made? Things like, whether to get married, or get divorced? How about deciding whether to move to another city, or another country? What factors would you consider in making these decisions?
There can be dozens of factors that affect our decisions. And the uncertainty about the outcome can be paralyzing enough that we never actually make the decision. How often has fear kept us trapped in a situation we desperately want to change?
And where does God fit into all this process? Does God talk to us by sending us a text or an email, or maybe an old-fashioned letter in the mail box? How about skywriting? A still small voice? And how do we know it's God and not our own mind convincing us that our "certain feeling": is really the divine?
Recently, I had the great privilege of being a guest speaker at the OHALAH conference. OHALAH is a Hebrew acronym, that in English stands for, Association of Rabbis for Jewish Renewal. Jewish Renewal is a movement, not a denomination of Judaism. This association is a cooperative of Hasidic Jews who practice the inclusion of all people, including their potential for God's calling in their life to become rabbis, cantors, and chaplains through ordination. They practice Kabbalah and many of those in this movement would be considered mystics. The Jewish Renewal follows the teachings of Rabbi Zalman, who recently passed away just shy of his 90th birthday. Reb Zalman rewrote the Hasidic prayer book, infusing contemporary life and language into their daily practice. He insisted that life should be filled with a laughter, which would diffuse the temptation of taking ourselves too seriously. Hasidic Jews practice an integrated orthodoxy that includes the mind, body, soul, and spirit. They meditate on the many faces of God. They sing their prayers and move their bodies all as a means of worshipping the One Holy Living God.
They invited me to join them for morning prayer. They sang, chanted, and moved for forty minutes. Most of the prayers were in Hebrew, releasing me from having to intellectually know what was being said. This freedom lifted me into the space of feeling the prayers in my body. They created a safe space that fetched my soul to sway and rock with the rhythm of the sounds. The forty minutes felt like forty seconds and at the same time like forty years; the experience was timeless. It wasn't long enough, but it was like I had been there most of my life. These people made me feel at home.
We spent the day together discussing how to be pastorally present in a world filled with so much dis-ease. As pastors, we engage people on a daily basis who are frightened, disturbed, and confused by the state of our country and the world. And because of their fear, they suffer pain in their personal lives. Life is hard and people are looking for guidance from their pastor. People are seeking guidance on how to make difficult decisions in a world that's seemed to turn itself upside down. As pastors, we can't help but take on the feelings of pain and uncertainty of those to whom we minister. Then the question comes, "What do I as a pastor do with all of these dark emotions. How do I take care of myself? Lots of people making lots of important personal and corporate decisions. How do we make the best decisions for ourselves and for our community?
I believe that the best way to make decisions is by being at one with God. Being at one with God comes about through a lot of personal interior work. It's not something that happens over night or simply because you want it to. Some of you attended my classes on Carl Jung's The Red Book and the Three Mystical Mary's. In these classes I laid out the framework for the personal interior work required to become one with God.
When we are at one with God, then we can hear the Spirit of God. I call this living a life of discernment, the art and practice of being at one with God. It's a way to live, move, and have one's being in the world; including affecting the decisions we make on a daily basis. I believe that being at one with God will help us discern the myriad of decisions we face every day.
There are some basics in the discernment process. First, you have a brain, it's okay to use it. Studying and gathering information are vital to making good decisions. Second, if at all possible, take your time in making any major or life changing decision. Patience is a good mentor. Third, making decisions in a silo typically means we haven't explored all the options and haven't heard all the important voices. Not including others in our process most likely means we have left out some dimension of God's voice. And fourth, make your decisions bathed in prayerful meditation and contemplation. In other words, we must do our personal work at becoming one with God.
One of the many beautiful experiences I had at the gathering of rabbis was to witness someone in a state of deep meditation-a trance. As a part of my presentation, I asked those in attendance have to imagine an interior conversation with someone, a departed loved one, a biblical character, an angel. Several rabbis at the conference practice Kabbalah, a part of which is a deep meditation on one of the many faces of God. One of the rabbis sitting near me dropped into a trance-like state. For me, it was a mystical experience witnessing someone else have a mystical experience.
The Christian tradition of Ignatian spirituality somewhat mirrors the Kabbalah's practice of meditation. In one of the practices of Ignatian spirituality, you enter meditation through the scripture. For example, in today's reading, (Mark 1:21-28) we hear that Jesus is teaching in the synagogue. To enter into the meditation, I imagine that I am sitting in synagogue. I spend time looking around the synagogue, taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells. Then, I see Jesus. What does he look like? What is he wearing? Then, I hear his voice. What does his voice sound like?
Then, Jesus turns to me. He's looking at me. He asks me, "What is your question?" And I ask Jesus what's on my heart. And I wait quietly, patiently, for him to speak. I sit as long as it takes. Maybe, Jesus doesn't answer in the first session. I have to repeat the meditation, again and again, waiting for an answer. After each period of meditation, I journal about the experience.
You may be wondering how one would know whether Jesus was talking to you are you were simply fantasizing. There are a few ways to help you feel more comfortable that you're hearing Jesus correctly. One way is, if this is your first time doing this kind of meditation, you most likely won't get an answer the first time you try it. It took a lot of practice for the rabbi at the conference I was attending to enter into a trance state. Faith requires patience. Another way to know you're hearing Jesus is that what he tells you is congruent with his biblical teachings. If it's not, you probably should share your experience with a spiritual director just to double check. A third way of knowing that Jesus is speaking is to recognize those moments when you hear something from him that you don't want to hear. That's probably Jesus talking.
In these meditations, you are asking Jesus about something in your life. You're not seeking answers on behalf of someone else. You must start with your own work. Once you do that, then together, the community can discern its own work.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Lead us to Respect the Dignity of Every Human Being
As an Episcopal priest, baptism is my favorite service. In it, the church celebrates the ritual of a person entering the community. Recently, I had the privilege of baptizing a three-years-old girl, an eleven-year-old boy, and a teenage girl. At every baptism of a young person, I wonder if they might be a future priest, bishop, or president of the United States.
As a central component of the baptism, everyone renews their baptismal covenant. For me, this is time for personal reflection, a time to remind me of what it means to follow the teachings of Jesus. It is also from the baptismal covenant that I draw inspiration and courage to be that follower of Christ that I continually strive to be. The covenant includes these five basic questions.
Will you continue in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repent, and return unto the Lord?
Will you proclaim by word and example, the Good News of God in Christ?
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Following each question, the people respond: I will, with God’s help.
These are the fundamentals of what it means to be a Christian. These are not negotiable statements. These are not things that followers of Jesus can dismiss or ignore. These are the teachings of the Church. As Episcopalians, we renew our baptismal covenant five times a year, but I wonder if we shouldn’t renew our commitment every time we gather? We do fail, we are not perfect, and therefore, we need constant reminders or our commitment.
It’s always a great joy to meet someone that is not a follower of Jesus, but who still inspires me to walk the talk of my baptismal covenant. This week, I met a young woman who is a Jewish rabbi. She lives in Charlottesville. And on that horrific weekend when white supremacist carried torches and shouted anti-Semitic and racist slurs through the streets, she was there to stand against them; and receive the brunt of the supremacist’ slurs. She told me stories of fear, disbelief, and the courage.
After hearing her story, I was left wondering, why is this the America of 2018? Especially on January 15, as we celebrated the life and witness of the Martin Luther King, Jr., I couldn’t get away from asking, after all these years, are we no better? I believe, that for those of us who are white Americans, we must confront the reality that racism is the demon we have not exorcized from our souls.
While individually, I doubt that few people in our congregations would consider themselves racist, I wonder how many would be willing to take an active stand against it? That’s why in August, I stood in the Phoenix streets protesting with those who carried Black Lives Matter signs and those protesting fair treatment of DACA immigrants. Why would I wear my clerical collar and march in the streets? The baptismal covenant demands that I strive for justice and peace among all people, and that I respect the dignity of every human being. But is marching and protesting enough? No, it is not. The potential for transforming our thoughts and actions, the reality of respecting the dignity of every human being, lies deep in our hearts. And that’s where the exorcism of our country’s past sins must begin.
Ta – Nehisi Coates is a writer for the “Atlantic” and author of the book, “We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy.” In his book Coates, an African-American, chronicles his coverage of the eight-year presidency of Barack Obama.
Plainly speaking, in my opinion, this book is about what every black person in America wants every white person to know. This country and its wealth was built on the sweat and blood of black slavery. And today, white Americans are now the beneficiary of centuries of that slavery. Nothing should be lost on the sad irony that the first black president of the United States lived in The White House that housed was built by black slaves.
Coates writes, “White supremacy in not merely the work of hotheaded demagogues, or a matter of false consciousness, but a force so fundamental to America that it is difficult to imagine the country without it. And so, we must imagine a new country.” Coates goes on, “What is needed is an airing of family secrets, a settling with old ghosts. What is needed is a healing of the American psyche and the banishment of white guilt.” He writes, “What I’m talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal.”
And how would such a spiritual renewal come about? Coates believes that the time has come for Congress to seriously consider reparations. I wouldn’t disagree with him. And I might add, the time has come for us to consider how we chose our local leaders, knowing that could affect the potential for a spiritual renewal.
Kirk Smith, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona has announced his retirement. Recently, the clergy of the diocese met to share their opinions for what they thought should be the priorities of the next bishop. They spent the first thirty minutes recalling all the wonderful things that are happening in our diocese and how they didn’t want any of those programs to disappear. The fear of change was palpable in the room. Don’t get me wrong, I deeply respect and admire the work of our current bishop, Kirk Smith. And I wouldn’t want his good deeds to be dismissed or his programs pushed to the side. I do believe, however, that it is time for a change in the perspective of the top leader in the diocese.
The first five bishops of the Diocese of Arizona have been white, heterosexual males. If the diocese of Arizona is going to move forward as a voice for the next generation of Christianity, the face of the leader must be different. In my opinion, someone other than a white heterosexual male must be the leader.
The diocese has been somewhat progressive on social justice issues. But now is definitely not the time to fall back. Now is the time to move forward; now is the time to be a leader in the Episcopal Church and the State of Arizona.
Understandably, a leader should not be chosen simply because of the color of their skin, or their gender, or their sexuality—but the committee responsible for selecting the candidates can do more than simply offer token candidates who are people of color, women, and LGBTQ. The slate of candidates, however, can leave no other choice than that the best person just so happens to be a person of color, a woman, or someone who is LGBTQ.
A leader must be chosen wisely, carefully, and thoughtfully—and in a religious community, especially the Episcopal Church, the foremost concern should be—can this person lead us to “respect the dignity of every human being?” And while many can, a picture is worth a thousand words. The vision and presence of our next leader must be able to bring with them the chance for the spiritual renewal that Coates is pleading for and is so desperately needed in our country.
As a central component of the baptism, everyone renews their baptismal covenant. For me, this is time for personal reflection, a time to remind me of what it means to follow the teachings of Jesus. It is also from the baptismal covenant that I draw inspiration and courage to be that follower of Christ that I continually strive to be. The covenant includes these five basic questions.
Will you continue in the apostles teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever you fall into sin, repent, and return unto the Lord?
Will you proclaim by word and example, the Good News of God in Christ?
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
Following each question, the people respond: I will, with God’s help.
These are the fundamentals of what it means to be a Christian. These are not negotiable statements. These are not things that followers of Jesus can dismiss or ignore. These are the teachings of the Church. As Episcopalians, we renew our baptismal covenant five times a year, but I wonder if we shouldn’t renew our commitment every time we gather? We do fail, we are not perfect, and therefore, we need constant reminders or our commitment.
It’s always a great joy to meet someone that is not a follower of Jesus, but who still inspires me to walk the talk of my baptismal covenant. This week, I met a young woman who is a Jewish rabbi. She lives in Charlottesville. And on that horrific weekend when white supremacist carried torches and shouted anti-Semitic and racist slurs through the streets, she was there to stand against them; and receive the brunt of the supremacist’ slurs. She told me stories of fear, disbelief, and the courage.
After hearing her story, I was left wondering, why is this the America of 2018? Especially on January 15, as we celebrated the life and witness of the Martin Luther King, Jr., I couldn’t get away from asking, after all these years, are we no better? I believe, that for those of us who are white Americans, we must confront the reality that racism is the demon we have not exorcized from our souls.
While individually, I doubt that few people in our congregations would consider themselves racist, I wonder how many would be willing to take an active stand against it? That’s why in August, I stood in the Phoenix streets protesting with those who carried Black Lives Matter signs and those protesting fair treatment of DACA immigrants. Why would I wear my clerical collar and march in the streets? The baptismal covenant demands that I strive for justice and peace among all people, and that I respect the dignity of every human being. But is marching and protesting enough? No, it is not. The potential for transforming our thoughts and actions, the reality of respecting the dignity of every human being, lies deep in our hearts. And that’s where the exorcism of our country’s past sins must begin.
Ta – Nehisi Coates is a writer for the “Atlantic” and author of the book, “We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy.” In his book Coates, an African-American, chronicles his coverage of the eight-year presidency of Barack Obama.
Plainly speaking, in my opinion, this book is about what every black person in America wants every white person to know. This country and its wealth was built on the sweat and blood of black slavery. And today, white Americans are now the beneficiary of centuries of that slavery. Nothing should be lost on the sad irony that the first black president of the United States lived in The White House that housed was built by black slaves.
Coates writes, “White supremacy in not merely the work of hotheaded demagogues, or a matter of false consciousness, but a force so fundamental to America that it is difficult to imagine the country without it. And so, we must imagine a new country.” Coates goes on, “What is needed is an airing of family secrets, a settling with old ghosts. What is needed is a healing of the American psyche and the banishment of white guilt.” He writes, “What I’m talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal.”
And how would such a spiritual renewal come about? Coates believes that the time has come for Congress to seriously consider reparations. I wouldn’t disagree with him. And I might add, the time has come for us to consider how we chose our local leaders, knowing that could affect the potential for a spiritual renewal.
Kirk Smith, the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona has announced his retirement. Recently, the clergy of the diocese met to share their opinions for what they thought should be the priorities of the next bishop. They spent the first thirty minutes recalling all the wonderful things that are happening in our diocese and how they didn’t want any of those programs to disappear. The fear of change was palpable in the room. Don’t get me wrong, I deeply respect and admire the work of our current bishop, Kirk Smith. And I wouldn’t want his good deeds to be dismissed or his programs pushed to the side. I do believe, however, that it is time for a change in the perspective of the top leader in the diocese.
The first five bishops of the Diocese of Arizona have been white, heterosexual males. If the diocese of Arizona is going to move forward as a voice for the next generation of Christianity, the face of the leader must be different. In my opinion, someone other than a white heterosexual male must be the leader.
The diocese has been somewhat progressive on social justice issues. But now is definitely not the time to fall back. Now is the time to move forward; now is the time to be a leader in the Episcopal Church and the State of Arizona.
Understandably, a leader should not be chosen simply because of the color of their skin, or their gender, or their sexuality—but the committee responsible for selecting the candidates can do more than simply offer token candidates who are people of color, women, and LGBTQ. The slate of candidates, however, can leave no other choice than that the best person just so happens to be a person of color, a woman, or someone who is LGBTQ.
A leader must be chosen wisely, carefully, and thoughtfully—and in a religious community, especially the Episcopal Church, the foremost concern should be—can this person lead us to “respect the dignity of every human being?” And while many can, a picture is worth a thousand words. The vision and presence of our next leader must be able to bring with them the chance for the spiritual renewal that Coates is pleading for and is so desperately needed in our country.
Monday, January 01, 2018
A Few Books for Your Consideration or How I Made It Through the Dark Night of the 2017 Soul
Following is a sample of the books I’ve read in 2017. They are listed in some order, though I have yet to codify such the reason. Undoubtedly, I am sharing them with you because each has had a significant impact on the way I made my way through this most disturbing year. I’m not much into happy, so here’s wishing you a better new year.
"We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy" Ta – Nehisi Coates
What every black person in America wants every white person in America to know. Coates writing is precisely researched and exquisitely sculptured. From such a well-constructed platform, he implores white America to recognize their historical sin of slavery and consider reparation as the means of healing. “American prosperity was ill gotten and selective in its distribution. What is needed is an airing of family secrets, a settling of old ghosts. What is needed is a healing of the American psyche and banishment of white guilt…What I’m talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal.” If you read one book in 2018, this could be the most important because within his powerful rhetoric lies the clues to becoming honest about white American racism, which is the first step in a way forward.
"A Season in Mecca: Narrative of a Pilgrimage" Abdellah Hammoudi
Hammoudi is a Princeton anthropologist. He was a nominally practicing Muslim, but decided to go on pilgrimage to Mecca in 1999. His story is rich, informative, and disturbing at times. Hammoudi discusses the secrets of the Islamic pilgrimage tradition of which all Muslim are expected to experience at least once in their lifetime. His work is provocative and self-reflective ,challenging me to reconsider my parameters of a life altering pilgrimage.
"Healing the Wounded God: Finding Your Personal Guide on Your Way to Individuation and Beyond" Jeffrey Raff and Linda Bonnington Vocatura; also by Raff, "The Wedding of Sophia: The Divine Feminine in Psychoidal"
Raff is a Jungian psychologist who studied under Marie-Louise von Franz, a student of Jung’s. Vocatura is also a Jungian therapist and an expert in working with the Ally, a personal guide who exists in the psychoidal world. The Ally is our psychic twin, the Holy Sophia, found within us all. Raff and Vocatura venture into the psychic dimension of unifying the masculine and feminine aspects of the divine within our own soul. If you’ve read Carl Jung’s The Red Book, these two books bring pragmatism (in a wyrd way) to the idea and practice of active imagination.
"Kabbalah: The Way of the Jewish Mystic" Perle Epstein
One of the most approachable books I’ve found concerning the complex world of Jewish mysticism. Epstein, is a descendent of Baal Shem Tov, a mystic rabbi and founder of Hasidic Judaism. This book provides a detailed, but brief, history of Kabbalah as well as outlining its practices. Kabbalahic meditation on The Tree of Life and its facets of the divine can expand the mind and one’s relationship with YHWH.
"The Enneagram and the Kabbalah: Reading Your Soul" Howard Addison
I met rabbi Addison at the International Spiritual Director’s Conference in 2016. I attended his workshop on dream analysis and the Enneagram. If you know very little about the Enneagram or Kabbalah, this book is an excellent entry point. If you do have some knowledge of either, this book brings the connection together in an enlightening manner.
"Tantric Jesus: The Erotic Heart of Early Christianity" James Hughes Reho
Reho is a scientist, author, and an Episcopal priest. He is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher. He brings his understanding of Eastern and Western spirituality to the page, helping us unpack the first few hundred years of Christian history in a fresh way. His thesis is that early Christianity was most influenced by Eastern mysticism and is recognizable in the New Testament. He astutely shines a believable light on what has been denied in modernity’s Christianity. By welcoming Eastern spirituality into the practice of Western Christianity and its spirituality, a place for some wondering pilgrims could be made available.
"The Gospel of Mary Magdalene" Jean – Yves LaLoup
LaLoup is an Orthodox theologian and prolific author. He has translated several texts from the Coptic, including the Gospel of Philip and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. (LaLoup’s work has been translated from his native French into English by Jacob Needleman. Those of you who follow Cynthia Bourgeault will recognize Needleman’s name.) LaLoup’s perspective provides a psychological lens for an enlightened, though not critical, view of these non-canonical gospels. In particular, his book on Mary Magdalene provides some valuable insights into her mystical world and her indelible influence on early Christianity, which unfortunately patriarchalism tried to suppress.
"Healing Through Dark Emotions: The Wisdom of Grief, Fear, and Despair" Mariam Greenspan
Greenspan has traveled grief’s journey in her loss of a daughter who had suffered several disabilities. Her journey sounded very familiar to my own mother’s lifelong grief of having a disabled child. Greenspan’s book is very process orientated, offering guides to work one’s way through the dark emotions. She confronts the reality of the stinging effect of grief on a person’s life by never allowing us to avoid or deny our horrific pain of loss.
"Galilean Journey: The Mexican American Promise" Virgilio Elizondo
Elizondo was a Roman Catholic priest and one of the premier theologians who connected Jesus’ life with the mestizo experience. Living in a Southwestern border state, I found Elizondo’s work compelling and enlightening. Some have tried to dismiss Elizondo’s work because of his troubled life. That’s something every reader will have to confront within their own interpretation of the Christ, who was born of a woman and lived the complete human life.
"Alchemy: An Introduction to Symbolism and Psychology" Marie Louise von Franz
Often, I am asked to recommend a primer for alchemy. To my knowledge, no such book exists. Therefore, don’t be fooled by the lure of the word “Introduction” in the title. If you have, however read, Jung’s Memories, Dream, and Reflections and Man and His Symbols, this could be the next step.
Here are four titles you may also want to consider:
"The Holy Trinity and the Law of the Three: Discovering the Radical Truth at the Heart of Christianity" Cynthia Bourgeault
Bourgeault walks us through the convoluted philosophy of G.I. Gurdjieff and his use of the Enneagram in her attempt to decipher the elusive Trinity. Her efforts are lacking. She does her best to defend the unfortunate historical orthodox twisting of the Trinity into a masculine construct. She wagered that the reader would get the point that three always creates four and the fourth is the next natural emergence of the androgynous Holy. For some reason, she couldn’t get there. Interestingly enough, Richard Rohr, in his book The Divine Dance, bases much of his view of the Trinity on Bourgeault’s writing, though he only offhandedly referenced her book. Rohr, as well, falls short in the exploration of the Trinity; but so has everyone else. And maybe that’s a cause for a serious reflection on Trinitarian theology itself. That’s why reading Bourgeault is always worth the work—she is forthright about her authentic theology, from which I have learned a great deal.
"The Fourth Gospel: Tales of a Jewish Mystic" John Shelby Spong
This is not Spong’s most well written book. That said, he offers a few interesting insights about the characters found in the mythic story of John’s Gospel. Particularly, the role of Lazarus and Mary Magdalene.
"What is the Bible? How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything" Rob Bell
If you have a tendency to read the Bible with a twenty-first century video captured theology, Bell’s book will open your worldview into a mythopoetic theology. St Peter’s Episcopal Church used this book for its well-attended Fall book study. One person told me, “I never knew I was supposed to build my own view of the biblical stories. I now feel compelled to study the bible in more depth and ask a whole lot more questions.” Bell’s book is very approachable. No prior knowledge of the Bible needed.
"Thomas Merton and the Celts: A New World Opening Up" Monica Weis
Weis does some excellent research into a few of Merton’s yet unmined journals. In Merton’s later years, he discovered a Celtic root. His private musings become filled with speculative connections between Celtic spirituality and Eastern mysticism. Weis’ conclusions are weighted on the side of a Roman scale, which is not surprising. She, however, does provide a more than slight opening into a yet unseen portion of the Merton opus. Purveyors of Celtic Spirituality will find this work a worthwhile addition to their library.
"We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy" Ta – Nehisi Coates
What every black person in America wants every white person in America to know. Coates writing is precisely researched and exquisitely sculptured. From such a well-constructed platform, he implores white America to recognize their historical sin of slavery and consider reparation as the means of healing. “American prosperity was ill gotten and selective in its distribution. What is needed is an airing of family secrets, a settling of old ghosts. What is needed is a healing of the American psyche and banishment of white guilt…What I’m talking about is a national reckoning that would lead to spiritual renewal.” If you read one book in 2018, this could be the most important because within his powerful rhetoric lies the clues to becoming honest about white American racism, which is the first step in a way forward.
"A Season in Mecca: Narrative of a Pilgrimage" Abdellah Hammoudi
Hammoudi is a Princeton anthropologist. He was a nominally practicing Muslim, but decided to go on pilgrimage to Mecca in 1999. His story is rich, informative, and disturbing at times. Hammoudi discusses the secrets of the Islamic pilgrimage tradition of which all Muslim are expected to experience at least once in their lifetime. His work is provocative and self-reflective ,challenging me to reconsider my parameters of a life altering pilgrimage.
"Healing the Wounded God: Finding Your Personal Guide on Your Way to Individuation and Beyond" Jeffrey Raff and Linda Bonnington Vocatura; also by Raff, "The Wedding of Sophia: The Divine Feminine in Psychoidal"
Raff is a Jungian psychologist who studied under Marie-Louise von Franz, a student of Jung’s. Vocatura is also a Jungian therapist and an expert in working with the Ally, a personal guide who exists in the psychoidal world. The Ally is our psychic twin, the Holy Sophia, found within us all. Raff and Vocatura venture into the psychic dimension of unifying the masculine and feminine aspects of the divine within our own soul. If you’ve read Carl Jung’s The Red Book, these two books bring pragmatism (in a wyrd way) to the idea and practice of active imagination.
"Kabbalah: The Way of the Jewish Mystic" Perle Epstein
One of the most approachable books I’ve found concerning the complex world of Jewish mysticism. Epstein, is a descendent of Baal Shem Tov, a mystic rabbi and founder of Hasidic Judaism. This book provides a detailed, but brief, history of Kabbalah as well as outlining its practices. Kabbalahic meditation on The Tree of Life and its facets of the divine can expand the mind and one’s relationship with YHWH.
"The Enneagram and the Kabbalah: Reading Your Soul" Howard Addison
I met rabbi Addison at the International Spiritual Director’s Conference in 2016. I attended his workshop on dream analysis and the Enneagram. If you know very little about the Enneagram or Kabbalah, this book is an excellent entry point. If you do have some knowledge of either, this book brings the connection together in an enlightening manner.
"Tantric Jesus: The Erotic Heart of Early Christianity" James Hughes Reho
Reho is a scientist, author, and an Episcopal priest. He is also a certified yoga and meditation teacher. He brings his understanding of Eastern and Western spirituality to the page, helping us unpack the first few hundred years of Christian history in a fresh way. His thesis is that early Christianity was most influenced by Eastern mysticism and is recognizable in the New Testament. He astutely shines a believable light on what has been denied in modernity’s Christianity. By welcoming Eastern spirituality into the practice of Western Christianity and its spirituality, a place for some wondering pilgrims could be made available.
"The Gospel of Mary Magdalene" Jean – Yves LaLoup
LaLoup is an Orthodox theologian and prolific author. He has translated several texts from the Coptic, including the Gospel of Philip and the Gospel of Mary Magdalene. (LaLoup’s work has been translated from his native French into English by Jacob Needleman. Those of you who follow Cynthia Bourgeault will recognize Needleman’s name.) LaLoup’s perspective provides a psychological lens for an enlightened, though not critical, view of these non-canonical gospels. In particular, his book on Mary Magdalene provides some valuable insights into her mystical world and her indelible influence on early Christianity, which unfortunately patriarchalism tried to suppress.
"Healing Through Dark Emotions: The Wisdom of Grief, Fear, and Despair" Mariam Greenspan
Greenspan has traveled grief’s journey in her loss of a daughter who had suffered several disabilities. Her journey sounded very familiar to my own mother’s lifelong grief of having a disabled child. Greenspan’s book is very process orientated, offering guides to work one’s way through the dark emotions. She confronts the reality of the stinging effect of grief on a person’s life by never allowing us to avoid or deny our horrific pain of loss.
"Galilean Journey: The Mexican American Promise" Virgilio Elizondo
Elizondo was a Roman Catholic priest and one of the premier theologians who connected Jesus’ life with the mestizo experience. Living in a Southwestern border state, I found Elizondo’s work compelling and enlightening. Some have tried to dismiss Elizondo’s work because of his troubled life. That’s something every reader will have to confront within their own interpretation of the Christ, who was born of a woman and lived the complete human life.
"Alchemy: An Introduction to Symbolism and Psychology" Marie Louise von Franz
Often, I am asked to recommend a primer for alchemy. To my knowledge, no such book exists. Therefore, don’t be fooled by the lure of the word “Introduction” in the title. If you have, however read, Jung’s Memories, Dream, and Reflections and Man and His Symbols, this could be the next step.
Here are four titles you may also want to consider:
"The Holy Trinity and the Law of the Three: Discovering the Radical Truth at the Heart of Christianity" Cynthia Bourgeault
Bourgeault walks us through the convoluted philosophy of G.I. Gurdjieff and his use of the Enneagram in her attempt to decipher the elusive Trinity. Her efforts are lacking. She does her best to defend the unfortunate historical orthodox twisting of the Trinity into a masculine construct. She wagered that the reader would get the point that three always creates four and the fourth is the next natural emergence of the androgynous Holy. For some reason, she couldn’t get there. Interestingly enough, Richard Rohr, in his book The Divine Dance, bases much of his view of the Trinity on Bourgeault’s writing, though he only offhandedly referenced her book. Rohr, as well, falls short in the exploration of the Trinity; but so has everyone else. And maybe that’s a cause for a serious reflection on Trinitarian theology itself. That’s why reading Bourgeault is always worth the work—she is forthright about her authentic theology, from which I have learned a great deal.
"The Fourth Gospel: Tales of a Jewish Mystic" John Shelby Spong
This is not Spong’s most well written book. That said, he offers a few interesting insights about the characters found in the mythic story of John’s Gospel. Particularly, the role of Lazarus and Mary Magdalene.
"What is the Bible? How an Ancient Library of Poems, Letters, and Stories Can Transform the Way You Think and Feel About Everything" Rob Bell
If you have a tendency to read the Bible with a twenty-first century video captured theology, Bell’s book will open your worldview into a mythopoetic theology. St Peter’s Episcopal Church used this book for its well-attended Fall book study. One person told me, “I never knew I was supposed to build my own view of the biblical stories. I now feel compelled to study the bible in more depth and ask a whole lot more questions.” Bell’s book is very approachable. No prior knowledge of the Bible needed.
"Thomas Merton and the Celts: A New World Opening Up" Monica Weis
Weis does some excellent research into a few of Merton’s yet unmined journals. In Merton’s later years, he discovered a Celtic root. His private musings become filled with speculative connections between Celtic spirituality and Eastern mysticism. Weis’ conclusions are weighted on the side of a Roman scale, which is not surprising. She, however, does provide a more than slight opening into a yet unseen portion of the Merton opus. Purveyors of Celtic Spirituality will find this work a worthwhile addition to their library.
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