Practicing Silence as an Act of Resistance

Posted on November 23, 2009 by Daniel J. Miller

As an essential path of the mystical life and of mystical care, solitude and stillness are to the end of silence. In addition to the physical and mental benefits, silence is valuable for self-knowledge which is the first step to knowledge of God. Kenneth Read more [...]

Stillness: Where We Encounter God

Posted on November 22, 2009 by Daniel J. Miller

Spiritually speaking, stillness is the condition for deep prayer. Physically, being still is the embodiment of a person’s willingness or desire “just to be” and conveys one’s consent to God. As prayer, stillness is the intersection between our Read more [...]

Stillness Exposes the Restlessness Within Us

Posted on November 21, 2009 by Daniel J. Miller

If solitude reveals the compulsions of the false self, stillness exposes the restlessness that Ron Rolheiser claims is especially characteristic of our times (The Shattered Lantern). It is conceivable, if hypothetical, in our therapeutic culture, that Read more [...]

Solitude: The Classroom of Compassion

Posted on November 20, 2009 by Daniel J. Miller

Note: Again, originally I wrote this for pastoral caregivers but it is appropriate for all of us as we respond to Wendell Berry’s invitation (and Jesus’ charge) to practice resurrection (The theme for H&H 2009-2010). As I mentioned in October Read more [...]

Solitude: A Place to Confront Our Compulsions

Posted on November 19, 2009 by Daniel J. Miller

Recently I was sitting with someone in spiritual direction and I offered that on either side of knowing ourselves as the beloved of God are two temptations and tendencies that in fact are two aspects of the same trap: (1) mistaking our true identities Read more [...]

Solitude: The Furnace Where Transformation Takes Place

Posted on November 18, 2009 by Daniel J. Miller

This is an excerpt from my dissertation Radical Amazement and Deep Sympathy. I have chosen not to rewrite these paragraphs which were originally intended primarily for caregivers and spiritual guides. In point of fact, what is said here for caregivers Read more [...]

The Sacred Braid

Helping Persons and Communities Weave Lives of Spiritual Depth.