AND

Each week I also suggest a different "Gateway to Silence," a phrase to help lead you into non-dual consciousness and openness to God's presence. You might repeat the phrase as a mantra--speaking, chanting, or thinking the words with intention and an attitude of surrender. You might take the phrase further and deeper through journaling or art. Or you could choose a single word from the phrase to use as a touchstone in Centering Prayer. For this week's Gateway to Silence, "AND," perhaps list some seeming paradoxes in your life for which you need Love's reconciliation and transformation.

Gateway to Silence AND If we are going to have truly prophetic people who go beyond the categories of liberal and conservative, we have to teach them some way to integrate their activism with the contemplative stance toward life.   I think some form of contemplative practice is necessary to be able to detach from your own agenda, your own anger, your own ego, and your own fear.   What you are doing in contemplation is moving to a level beneath your thoughts: the level of pure and naked being.   For Jesus, prayer seems to be a matter of waiting in love, returning to love, trusting that love is the unceasing stream of reality.   The True Self is all about right relationship, not requirements. It's not about being correct; it's about being connected, which you always were--you just didn't realize it.   We need both action and contemplation to have a whole spiritual journey. It doesn't matter which comes first; action may lead you to contemplation and contemplation may lead you to action.

~R. Rohr