The Emergent Christ: Exploring the Meaning of Catholic in an
Evolutionary Universe by Ilia Delio.
This is not an easy read, but for someone like me who has been
moving away from the institutional church and searching for connection
to Reality, it was very helpful in nudging the mind shift I needed.
Teilhard de Chardin’s thinking is included and explained. Evolution is a
big part of the discussion and science, love, and God as an open system
where change happens is a mix that fits with where I’ve been going with
religion for years. That has sometimes been a scary, painful transition
and it’s good to read why it’s been happening to me. I did not
understand everything I read, but Delio did get a lot across to me.
There are a lot of references in the notes she gave for me to look
into.
The Awakening Call by James Finley.
I first read this book nearly 30 years ago. It is one of the few
books that I have kept over the years. I decided to read it again,
because I remembered that it had profoundly impressed me as did the
weekend silent retreat I attended that was led by James Finley. I find
that the parts of this book that I grasp are grasped intuitively. There
is a resonance with what I see in the words on the page. It’s like I say
“Ahhh”. Then there are parts that I fail to grasp. It’s not that it is
complicated. I think it is more that this is about intimacy and it’s not
something that translates into words, but comes into our understanding
in another way. If the title of the book nudges you, you probably will
find the book worthwhile. It enticed me back in the ’90s and it still
grabs me. It looks to be hard to find, so I’m glad I kept my copy.
Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls: A true life novel
about the life of Walls’ very resourceful grandmother, Lily. I loved
this story of a very tough, resourceful, and determined girl/woman.
The Silent Cry: Mysticism and Resistance by Dorothee
Soelle: This book is so powerful in the truth and is explained in
simple, eye-opening terms, descriptions and stories. I was knocked over
reading this.
“Exploring the religious impulse known as mysticism - the”silent
cry” at the heart of all the world’s religions. Mysticism, in the sense
of a “longing for God,” has been present in all times, cultures, and
religions. But Soelle believes it has never been more important than in
this age of materialism and fundamentalism. The antiauthoritarian
mystical element in each religion leads to community of free spirits and
resistance to the death-dealing aspects of our contemporary
culture.”
Living Beautifully: with Uncertainty and Change by Pema
Chödrön
Meditations with Meister Eckhart by Matthew Fox: Short
excerpts from Meister Eckhart’s writings. Something to ponder in a quiet
moment which I used just before sleep at night.
Currently Reading:
Scotus for Dunces: An Introduction to the Subtle Doctor by
Mary Beth Ingham
Searching for Stars on an Island in Maine by Alan
Lightman
Critical Traces by D.L. Keur: Mystery story of a woman and
her Search and Rescue Dogs. Book 10 in the series
Strength to Love by Martin Luther King Jr.
The Mystics Would Like a Word: Six Women Who Met God and Found a
Spirituality for Today by Shannon K. Evans. (For a book reading
group.)