Father Richard Rohr is the author of Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life (2011), as well as Everything Belongs: The Gift of Contemplative Prayer (2003), The Naked Now: Learning to See as the Mystics See (2009), Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self (2013), and Dancing Standing Still: Healing the World from a Place of Prayer; A New Edition of A Lever and a Place to Stand (2014).

Fr. Rohr is in the tradition of Father Thomas Keating:

Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (www.cac.org) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy--practices of contemplation and lived kenosis (self-emptying), expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.

Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam's Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, and Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self.

CAC is home to the Rohr Institute where Fr. Richard is Academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Rohr Institute is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings.

His books are profound even for non-Christians.

Father Richard Rohr - "Falling Upward"

Uploaded on Oct 21, 2011


Contemporary theologian and best selling author Richard Rohr spoke at Texas Lutheran University on Sunday, Sept. 25th in Jackson Auditorium. Rohr spoke from the content of his latest book, "Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life."

About the book: As we begin to embark on a further journey, one that involves challenges, mistakes, loss of control, broadening horizons, and necessary suffering, we find that 'falling down' is actually the way that we move upward. Fr. Richard offers this new paradigm for understanding one of the most profound of life's mysteries: how the heartbreaks, disappointments, and first loves of life are actually stepping stones to the spiritual joys that the second half of life has in store for us. You can find more information about Richard Rohr on his website www.fallingupwardbook.com.

TED Talks - David Steindl-Rast: Want to Be Happy? Be Grateful

Along with Thomas Merton, Br. David Steindl-Rast was one of the first Catholics to engage in dialogue with Buddhist teachers (Merton worked with Thich Nhat Hanh and Steindl-Rast worked with Robert Aitken Roshi).

Among his many books, Steindl-Rast is the author of The Ground We Share: Everyday Practice, Buddhist and Christian (1996, with Robert Aitken Roshi), Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness (1984), A Listening Heart: The Spirituality of Sacred Sensuousness (1999), Deeper Than Words: Living the Apostles' Creed (2010), and 99 Blessings: An Invitation to Life (2013).

David Steindl-Rast: Want to be happy? Be grateful

November 2013

The one thing all humans have in common is that each of us wants to be happy, says Brother David Steindl-Rast, a monk and interfaith scholar. And happiness, he suggests, is born from gratitude. An inspiring lesson in slowing down, looking where you’re going, and above all, being grateful.


Bio: Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, meditates and writes on "the gentle power" of gratefulness.

Many first met Brother David Steindl-Rast through a viral video called "Nature. Beauty. Gratitude," where Louie Schwartzberg's footage of time-lapse flowers in bloom is narrated by Brother David's moving words asking us to simply be ... grateful. Since 1953, Brother David has been a monk of Mount Saviour Benedictine monastery in New York, dividing his time between hermitic contemplation, writing and lecturing. He's the cofounder of gratefulness.org, supporting ANG*L (A Network for Grateful Living).

He was one of the first Roman Catholics to participate in Buddhist-Christian dialogue, and is the author of The Ground We Share: Everyday Practice, Buddhist and Christian, a text on Buddhist and Christian practice, written with Robert Aitken Roshi. His other books include Gratefulness, The Heart of Prayer: An Approach to Life in Fullness, and Deeper Than Words: Living the Apostles' Creed. His most recent book is 99 Blessings: An Invitation to Life, a series of prayers for the general reader -- whether people of faith, agnostics, or uncertain.

Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.

From NPR's On Being with Krista Tippett, this is a replay of an engaging and uplifiting conversation with Jean Vanier, a Canadian Catholic philosopher turned theologian, humanitarian, and the founder of L'Arche, an international federation of group homes for people with developmental disabilities and those who assist them.

Via Wikipedia:

In recognition of his contributions and humanness to the marginalized, Jean Vanier has received numerous distinctions and awards including the Companion of the Order of Canada, the Legion of Honour (France) and many awards from faith groups, among them the Paul VI International Prize, the Community of Christ International Peace Award, the Rabbi Gunther Plaut Humanitarian Award and the Gaudium et Spes Award. The asteroid 8604 was officially named Vanier in his honour in 2010.[6] He received the Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award in 2013.[7]

Enjoy.

The Wisdom of Tenderness: Jean Vanier on Lived Compassion, L'Arche, and Becoming Human

August 22, 2013

Considered by some to be a living saint, Jean Vanier created L'Arche, a model of community for people with mental disabilities that celebrates power in smallness and light in the darkness of human existence. The French Canadian philosopher and Catholic social innovator speaks about his understanding of humanity and God that has been shaped by Aristotle, Mother Teresa, and people who would once have been locked away from society.

Listen

• Radio Show/Podcast (mp3, 51:00)
• Unedited Interview Jean Vanier (mp3, 100:48)

Recommended Reading

Heart of L'Arche: A Spirituality for Every Day (L'Arche Collection)
Author: Jean Vanier
Publisher: Crossroad Publishing Company (1995)
Binding: Paperback, 96 pages


Becoming Human
Author: Jean Vanier
Publisher: Paulist Pr (1999)

Becoming Human is one of Jean Vanier's most beloved books, providing insight into his theology, anthropology, and spirit. And, The Heart of L'Arche (out of print but available used) is his lovely, slim history and introduction to L'Arche.

Links and Resources

L'Arche Internationale
This multilingual site serves as a great introduction to the mission, vision, and scope of the the worldwide movement that Vanier founded and now has roots in 131 communities. 

L'Arche USA
The central Web site for the 16 L'Arche communities in the United States. Pay attention to the photo gallery and letters to the communities from Jean Vanier, which are particularly compelling. 

Faith and Light (Foi et Lumiere)
Vanier also co-founded this worldwide association of organizations working to encourage people with disabilities in their spiritual lives.

"Journey to L’Arche"
Dutch Catholic priest and prolific spiritual author Henri Nouwen spent his professional life teaching at Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard. But in the last decade of his life he lived at L'Arche Daybreak, near Toronto, Canada. Here's a sermon he gave on "meeting God in a whole new way" through being a member of this community.

• Krista's Journal
• Transcript

VIDEO INTERVIEWS WITH KRISTA TIPPETT 

In the Room with Jean Vanier

From a converted farmhouse at the Bishop Claggett Center in rural Maryland, a rare interview with Jean Vanier. Watch his conversation with Krista Tippett and observe how he speaks with his whole body, especially his hands.

Father Laurence Freeman - Knowledge Is . . . Love: Christian Meditation

This is a two-part Google Tech Talk - Father Laurence Freeman (Benedictine Monk) talks about meditation and different kinds of knowing. He has done a lot of work in "interfaith friendship." He is the Director of the World Community for Christian Meditation, a global network of Christian meditation groups that practice the way of Christian meditation, and of its Benedictine oblate community.

Very cool to see this side of the Catholic tradition.




Father Laurence Freeman - Knowledge is... Love

ABSTRACT

Different kinds of knowing - but the most human kind reveals our universal kinship and transforms relationship. Meditation is more than you think. The oldest and youngest form of human wisdom makes good sense in a digital age.

Speaker Info:

Father Laurence Freeman is a benedictine monk whose work in teaching meditation and interfaith friendship takes place in a global community formed by the daily practice of dynamic stillness and transformative silence.

Meditate with Father Laurence Freeman