vital messages from a monk and singer from the Catholic Church
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If you are appreciative of beautiful, meaningful
spiritual music this is for you. Deeply moving songs about silent prayer, lectio divina meditative prayer, the Eastern Orthodox's Jesus Prayer and other uplifting spiritual classic topics are included. Listening to it inspires your prayer life like few can. Please consider this if you are a seeker. In this you have found something to inspire to the end of life and then beyond. Few people will find a negative reactive here. Enjoy and come closer to experiencing Gods love for you.
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stunning raw Gospel album from octogenarian Los Angeles minister

Back in the 1960's-1980's, I often listened to raw, downhome Gospel music on low-wattage AM radio stations from both black and white artists/groups. Often, a minister would both preach AND sing, and there was a raw and spontaneous and heartfelt quality to that music which cannot be faked and which is moving on a deep level. Reverend Raymond Branch's new album brings back that rich heartfelt spirit. A legend in Los Angeles radio for his longtime broadcasts from the Heavenly Rainbow Baptist Church, Reverend Branch has made an album that's full of depth and life-experience and wisdom. He's in his 80's, but if you have enjoyed recent Bob Dylan recordings of late period Louis Armstrong, you should not have a problem with the Reverend's gravelly, lived-in voice. It's a voice of experience and a welcoming voice. While he played the guitar in the past, presently he is accompanying himself on the Omnichord and Qchord, instruments which are described as being in the autoharp family. The sound the instruments create is haunting....If you can imagine a keyboard set-up for a minute, imagine that the left hand produces pillowy chords which anchor the songs and suggest their chord progression, while the the right hand does these beautiful and fascinating filligrees which circle and dialogue with the vocals. The album seems to exist in a transcendent state, the kind of deep and exalted state found in worship or prayer, and Reverend Branch has created a beautiful album that extends his ministry. One of the other reviews has called this album "field recordings from heaven," and I'd have to agree with that. This is raw Gospel from the heart and has an "outside" quality which is refreshing....it's nothing like the slick, sanitized Gospel one hears so much on the radio and in concert nowadays. If you are looking for a timeless Gospel experience from a man whose voice drips with wisdom and life experience and who truly reflects the love of The Lord toward us all, then you'll be as excited about this new album from Reverend Raymond Branch as I am. Truly, an original!
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Fr. Murray Bodo has compiled a multi-faceted look at prayer which reflect his Franciscan background as well as his experiences resulting in a life dedicated to prayer.
Topics vary from contemplation; to the need for discussion of spiritual growth and teaching amongst ourselves; to spending a week Thomas Merton's hermitage in Gethsemani, KY; to an east - west conference where he spent time with the Dali Lama; interviewing an American Indian spiritual healer; to reflections on his remembering his father after his going home to the Lord.
I enjoyed reading this book. I take away that we need to enter into the mystery of God, be still and attempt to listen. For it is there that the soul is changed, transformed without us ever being aware that anything is happening.
Thank you Fr. Bodo for your writing and sharing your faith so that others may learn.
750525
Bread & Water, Wine &, Oil: An Orthodox Christian Experience of God, by Archimandrite Meletios Webber

This is a significant book, one that could only be written by someone who has not only studied, but lived the Orthodox Christian faith for more than 35 years. I purchased my copy of "Bread & Water, Wine & Oil" in 2008 at the monastery in northern California where, less than a year later, Archimandrite Meletios would be installed as abbot. This says something about the respect that the Orthodox Church has for the ministry of this monk, priest, psychologist and author, who replaced the founding abbot after his elevation as Metropolitan of the Orthodox Church in America.

I first encountered the work of Archimandrite Meletios when I read his excellent examination of the Twelve Steps (Alcoholics Anonymous, etc.) entitled "Steps of Transformation." Shortly after reading that book several years ago, I had the opportunity to hear him speak at a local retreat.

What makes this book significant is that the author shows how God can use very ordinary, but essential, elements such as bread, water, wine and oil, not to mention fallible human beings, in order to draw us into his presence in a profound way. This book is all about getting out of the head and into the heart, which is what the great mystical writers have been pointing to throughout Christian history.

It is not surprising that this volume was published by Conciliar Press, well known for producing materials by, about and for converts to the Orthodox Christian faith. Many of us converts studied our way into the faith, examining things like Church history, theology and the Scriptures to find our way "home." What sets this volume apart is that the author moves us from the head knowledge into the heart.

The book is divided into two parts. The first, "Life is a Mystery," discusses the mind, heart, mystery, our relationship with God, distraction and prayer, making a sanctified effort, the sanctification of time, sacred places, and icons and the incarnation. The second part, "The Mysteries of the Church," discusses the Mysteries (often called "the sacraments") including birth and baptism, chrismation, Holy Communion, confession and forgiveness, anointing of the sick, marriage and ordination.

The first section alone is worth the purchase price of the book, and shows clearly how an Orthodox Christian mindset (or rather "heart") is different in many ways from what we may have learned in Western Christianity. At first I had trouble seeing how the second part of the book connected to the first, but in the end it works together beautifully.

I highly recommend this book to my fellow converts to the Orthodox Christian faith, as well as to inquirers, catechumens and others who would be interested in looking past the outward trappings of Orthodoxy to see how a relationship with God in this context can transform the heart.

I'll close with a quote from the last paragraph of the book, which more or less summarizes what it's all about:

"It is worth remembering that it is the act of seeking the place of the heart which is our goal, our highest aspiration, not the actual finding of it. It is the journey, not the destination, which is of utmost importance."
526659
This cd is as awesome as the Bishop Dreyfus C. Smith himself.
As are his sermons...this music is truly from an anointed spirit.
How can you not be moved, motivated and mesmerized when listening to this music?
There is power in the words/music.
2640684
Most people are familiar with the newly canonized St. Teresa of Calcutta, mainly because she was such an iconic figure during her lifetime.  Many have openly shared their experiences meeting her face-to-face or exchanging letters and even short conversations that profoundly touched their lives.

But some of us, yours truly included, were never privileged to meet St. Teresa in our lifetime.  We saw her on TV or the news and admired her from afar, but we didn't know her personally.  Author and editor Heidi Hess Saxton was one such person who was drawn to St. Teresa's life and spirituality long before she converted to Catholicism.  In her new book, Advent with Saint Teresa of Calcutta: Daily Meditations, she shares the wealth of information she learned about St. Teresa and relates each nugget of wisdom to her own life's journey.

Even more, Saxton offers corresponding daily Scripture verses that follow the Advent liturgical calendar, making this book one that can be revisited each new (liturgical) year for meditation and reflection.  What makes Advent with Saint Teresa so beautiful is, not only the simple yet profound message of holiness from St. Teresa, but also how Saxton so deeply connects St. Teresa's spirituality with pertinent questions that truly challenge and encourage the reader to grow and become more during this season of waiting and preparation.

Each meditation concludes with a short prayer, always with the punctuation, "Saint Teresa of Calcutta, pray for us!"  Even during the unfortunate frenzy of this time of year, everyone can find about 3-5 minutes of their day to read and apply the principles found in this book.

Text Copyright 2016 Jeannie Ewing, all rights reserved.
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In Masters Among Us, Thomas Curley reminds us that the essence underlying all world religions is love for ourselves and each other. Although this message is timeless and has been presented repeatedly in various works, Mr. Curley has written a unique book filled with experiences of individuals who have met living Masters, from many traditions, to demonstrate that this message is Alive and Well. Interviewing persons who have had visions, seen apparations, and had direct communication with The Divine Presence in various forms - Christian, Muslim, and Hindu, for example - Mr. Curley fills our hearts with wonder and awe as he documents how God revals constantly His compassionate concern for us and is guiding us in both seen and unseen ways. This book also presents a brief history of spiritual researchers and visionaries over the past 150 years from Madame Blavetsky to Benjamin Creme. Filled with pictures and quotes from diverse sources - from the Virgin Mary's  predictions to Maitreya's appearances - this book will infuse any spiritual seeker with a greater desire to understand and know the Supreme Reality.
4677614
What a wonderful telling of the lives of Jeshua and Miryam!  I was struck by the powerful simplicity of the message and the equally simple, straightforward  Path to Consciousness outlined in the Gospel.  The voice of Miryam rings strong and true as she tells of her mentor's life, his teachings, and the tenor of the times in which they lived.  None of the church's myths, no Pauline doctrine, just the admonition to strive every day to move closer to the attainment of the fruit of the Tree of life, true consciousness.  The Divine Feminine speaks through Jeshua and through Miryam with the voice of authority;  the possibility of a new way of looking at spirituality and of perceiving and living in the world is opened up.  What hope, at last a Gospel of "Good News" -- that that the final bough of the Tree of Life,consciousness, is attainable without any rules or rituals, other than to go into the "Silence" to find one's Self, and then to listen to and follow the guidance of Spirit.  What a gift the author has given for those who have the ears to hear.  This is a book I will read and reread, a book I am sure has many more levels of Truth than those I have so far discovered.
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This set of 6 CDs takes the book of the Cosmic Jesus one step further.  The book explores the Words of Jesus in their original Aramaic.  The CD book takes those concepts and Douglas-Klotz' scholarship into the realm of the auditory.

The author/speaker carefully explains the meanings of the sayings of Jesus in their original Aramaic then teaches the listener the language forms of the various words.  He then takes it to the next step of providing chants for use in meditation.  These chants are accompanied by modern but appropriate guitar music and enable the listener/participator to enter more sensually into the original language.

This is an extremely useful set of CDs for anyone who wishes to develop their spiritual meditative life.  Interestingly I would have expected that it would be suitable only for a Christian participator.  However the understanding of the Aramaic words gives such a clear liberal theological and spiritual basis of the unity of the Creator that it is accessible to anyone of any religious or spiritual tradition.  Having used the CDs and having read the original book, I am also left wondering how "The Passion of Christ" a la Mel Gibson could use the Aramaic in order to present such a traditional conservative and violent view of the life and death of Jesus without leading the viewers into a more universal expression of compassion that is so evident in the CDs.  Fully recommended
3323614
I have not read this collection but I did read the seven journals from which it excerpts passages.  As a long-time writer of a personal journal, I found reading Merton's daily reflections nurturing and encouraging - partly because it soon becomes clear that this "saint" has struggles like anyone else.  He writes honestly about his most intimate foibles, doubts, and challenges as a reclusive Trappist monk who also happened to be a world-renowned writer. The journals begin in 1939, just before Merton entered the Abbey of Gethsemani in Kentucky as a young monk.  They end just prior to his death in 1968,  the same year the world also lost Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy.  In the midst of a long-anticipated trip to the East, Merton, 53, was accidentally electrocuted while attending a meeting of religious superiors in Bangkok.  He had just had three audiences in India with the Dalai Lama, with whom he had great resonance.  He met Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche by chance, and they also felt mutuality.  Sadly, Merton did not get to complete this trip of exploration of Asian religions.  At an interfaith meeting in Calcutta he had said:  "I think we have now reached a state (long overdue) of religious maturity at which it may be possible for someone to remain perfectly faithful to a Christian and Western monastic commitment, and yet to learn in depth from, say, a Buddhist discipline and experience.  I believe that some of us need to do this in order to improve the quality of our own monastic life and even to help in the task of monastic renewal which has been undertaken within the Western Church."

I enjoyed reading about Merton's responses to political happenings during those decades, his love of monastic life, his struggles with Catholic hierarchy, his reflections on his reading (he was a voracious reader and I have gotten lots of book suggestions from him), his passion for silence and solitude (and his difficulty finding it even in a monastery), and his surprising experience of falling in love with a young nurse while he was hospitalized in 1966.

He notes that "The faults of Gethsemani are American - puerility, rationalization, idiot belief in gadgets, fetish-worship of machines and efficiency, love of a big showy facade (and nothing behind it) - phony optimism, sentimentality, etc."  Also, "The sentimental, out of date moralism and shallow self-righteousness of most American thought is too self-evident for comment.  It is a tragedy of great dimensions."

On living in the hermitage that was finally built for him:  "I can imagine no other joy on earth than to have such a place and to be at peace in, to live in silence, to think and write, to listen to the wind and to all the voices of the wood, to live in the shadow of the big cedar cross, to prepare for my death . . . to pray . . to love . .  It is `my place' in the scheme of things."

On his love affair: "I have no intention of keeping the M. business entirely out of sight.  I have always wanted to be completely open, both about my mistakes and about my effort to make sense out of my life.  The affair with M. is an important part of it - and shows my limitations as well as a side of me that is  - well, it needs to be known too, for it is part of me.  My need for love, my loneliness, my inner division, the struggle in which solitude is at once a problem and a `solution.`  And perhaps not a perfect solution either."

In drawing up provisions for the Merton Legacy Trust the year before his death, Merton made it clear that his journals could be published in whole or in part as the trustees desired but not until 25 years after his death. Fortunately for us they chose to make all of them available with minimal editing.  All seven (hand-written) journals were published from 1996 to 1998, an amazing achievement.  One of the editors of this project said:  "What sets him apart is the expansiveness of his spirit and his candor.  Perhaps by telling his story, he invites us to reflect on our own stories."  I personally found him an excellent companion to hang out with.
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I've had both this CD, as well as the Stations of the Cross CD for several years.  Absolutely wonderful.  Fr. Scallon's mediations on each decade of the rosary are inspiring--and he taught me something I never pondered before--how Our Mother's Assumption into Heaven both in body and in soul was also a reminder that as the Mother of Jesus, her relationship with Him began at his conception and through her pregnancy.

The music helps me to stay focused the rosary as a prayer--I have it saved on my iPhone, and will even pop in my headphones if I'm super early for Mass, as it helps me to avoid distractions as others come into Church.

Yes, each mystery is about 30 minutes--but it's 30 minutes of quality time in prayer.
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By complete coincidence, as I was driving in to work this morning, I heard a long interview on NPR's Morning Edition with Mother Cecilia, the prioress of the Benedictines of Mary, Queen of the Apostles, in Missouri. The piece contained several excerpts from this new album, and I immediately knew I had to check it out, and sooner rather than later.

"Lent at Ephesus" (23 tracks; 78 min.) contains more of the a-cappella angelic voices (this is the nuns' third album). Starting off with "Jesus, My Love", the group of about 20 Benedictines are praising the Lord, and basically never let up from there. It's hard to pinpoint any highlights as the songs tend to blend in one into another, and it all sounds warm, uplifting and glorious. But there are a couple that in particular caught my attention:  the 7 min. "Improperia", with the so-called "droning" sound as described by Sister Cecilia, which sounds heavenly, truly "out of this world". Then there is "Mother of Sorrows", one of a handful original songs brought by the nuns. Another can't miss is the 8 min. "Crux Fidelis", epic in every regard. Just wow. If you grew up Catholic (which I did), some of this will sound immediately familiar, even comforting. But even if you didn't, I am quite certain that this will resonate with you.

This CD is like an oasis of peace and comfort in the midst of our ever-frantic and busy lives. The only unfortunate thing is that we will never get to experience this live, as the Benedictines will not tour or give concerts. On the plus side, apparently the proceeds of these CDs go toward settling their debts and expanding their good works. Even if that wasn't the case, "Lent at Ephesus" is nothing short of a fantastic album, and is HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
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Trappist Monk Fr. Thomas Keating's book OPEN MIND, OPEN HEART is considered by many to be a modern classic on contemplative prayer and an introduction to centering prayer. After attending a workshop on centering prayer and later leading such a workshop, I can attest to the helpfulness of this book and Fr. Keating's important insights. While some are critical of his methods, believing they are heavily influenced by Eastern spiritual practices, this is somewhat misleading. While Keating does use some terminology and references to Eastern techniques, his ideas are based on the tradition of the Cistercians, the Catholic religious order to which be belongs.
In the aftermath of Vatican II, many religious orders returned to the texts of their founders and early pioneers so that the orders could be true to their calling. The popularity of contemplative prayer and centering prayer is a result of the Cistercians returning to their founding texts. For Keating, a leader in this effort, this included exploring the writings of St. Benedict, the Desert Fathers and Mothers, Cistercian greats such as Bernard of Clairvaux and Aelred of Rievaulx, and the anonymous author of THE CLOUD OF UNKNOWING. These are hardly radical writers in the history of Christianity. Since these people lived prior to the opening of the east to the west, they could not have been influenced by Eastern spiritual techniques. Certainly as a spiritual master, Keating is familiar with Eastern techniques, but does not use them in a way that is contrary to Christianity. Also, Keating is writing for people, living in the world, and sees this method of prayer as a way of experiencing God for action in the world. It is not intended to make a person draw more inward in a way that is selfish, but rather as a way of being more Christ-like and more self giving.
Centering prayer is not for everyone, but it is helpful for many. After reading this book and applying its methods, readers will know whether this technique will be helpful in their own spiritual journeys. For those who may not find this method helpful, certainly Keating's spiritual insights will help the reader draw closer to God in other ways.
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This book is a true gem - one of Merton's more significant works, published during his eighth year at Gethsemani Abbey.  It is significant in three ways:  the first half of the book is perhaps one of the best dialogues to be found anywhere on why someone would want to be a monk;  the second half is an exquisite, deep and loving overview of the Benedictines, the Cistercians (especially the Trappist Cistercians), the Carthusians, and the Camaldolese.  The third area of significance is that it's easy to read into Merton's portrayals of the Carthusians and Camaldolese that he was already yearning for more solitude, already feeling unrest with cenebotic (monastic) life and starting his campaign to gain permission to become a hermit at Gethsemani.  Being denied that, he sought to leave the Abbey and become a Carthusian, but was blocked there as well.  "The Silent Life" gives us an early glimpse into Merton's thinking as he was discerning his spiritual direction.  Strongly recommended.
2930011
The music selected for this recording belongs to the great repertory of the late fifteenth century Spanish Renaissance making use of several composers, the most familiar being Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611), Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599), Alonso Lobo (1555-1617), Cristobel de Morales (1500-1553), Juan Esquivel (1563-1613), Francisco de Penalosa (1470-1528) and Juan de Anchieta (1462-1523).

This program is presented according to the fourteen Stations of the Cross that is included in the Catholic Encyclopedia.  These stations are used to signify a series of pictures representing certain scenes in the Passions of Christ each corresponding to a particular incident with each representation.  This form of devotion is carried out by passing from station to station with certain prayers at each meditation with various incidents in turn.

The disc itself is a musical pilgrimage, in which every station is connected to a Motet.  Daria Tabbia (direction) explains in the brief booklet notes IN German & English;  " the texts have been chosen imagining each motet pronounced by a character present at the stations of the cross".  This means that we must hear -apart from Jesus, himself - Pilate, Simon of Cyrene, Mary Magdalena, Peter and Judas, all mentioned in the Gospels , but also Veronica and a wayfarer, mythological figures which don't appear in the Gospels.  The text is set by Julian Romero, a contemporary composer who has also set the text and composed the music for the Introduction and the ending.  Romero's music is modern, but not too far out of step with the rest of the program.

The five excellent singers of Daltrocanto are:  Alena Dantcheva, soprano; Alessandro Carmignani, male alto; Gianluca Ferrarini, tenor; Marco Scavazza, baritone.  The ensemble gives a fine performance of these notable composers' selections; their voices blend well and the individual singers are highly responsive to the varied styles of composition.  Listening to this was an inspirational experience for me, personally and may be for others also.  This group has really not made many recordings; at least I haven't located many others.  Maybe somebody out there can enlighten me!
4572134
This book is an instant classic among the many books written about the life of Saint Francis of Assisi.  Clearly the author, Bret Thoman, understands the great mystical teachings of the Saint of Assisi on living with passion and purposes and understanding poverty is not about what you own, but about what owns you.  To even begin to articulate the deep passion that guided the life Saint Francis and the voice that called him to rebuild the Catholic church that had fallen into ruin would require someone who lives and works in Assisi and has also heard that same voice calling to him in this generation.  It would also take someone who is fluent in the Italian language and who has spent many years and countless hours in study of the ancient text; Download this book, or order a hard copy and step back in time in the company of Saint Francis and the first Franciscans. Be ready to be called to a newness of passion and purpose in your own spiritual journey.  Embrace this book as an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Francis. Hear the message he preached in his day in the voice that built the Franciscan order and gave the world a spiritual legacy that spans across many spiritual traditions.  Long a follower of the Franciscan Tradition, I find myself returning to it again and again and finding with each visit a new reason to find both hope and joy in the journey.  It is a literary jewel.
2651019
Thank you Sweet Spirit for the presence and gifts of Gabriella Tal and Mark Malachi.  This album's music has fed me and inspired me for over twenty years....and I am so blessed to see the cd available here and to Consecrate 2015 with it.  The beauteous offerings here are far beyond music, they're high "teachings" of Truth and of the Immense Love and Kindness and Wisdom that underlie all Life.  The gifts here waft into me and lead me into the Blessing Reality that is the core of all life that is there for humankind to awaken into.  These musical Gifts help me Awaken.  They Soothe and make me want to stay Awake and to Live Love with Soft Eyes.  Thank you Gabriella and Mark.  There aren't enough words or sentiments I can express to convey all my thanks and Gratitiude to you.  Or to say How Much I Revel in Sharing the Spiritual Journey of the Everlasting Heart and the Reverence with you, cd after cd of yours, that you are a Fount of.  Everlasting blessings to you and Boundless Love and Appreciation!