by Allison Cloud One summer day last year, while repeatedly surrendering to the unraveling of mid-life, I found myself caretaker of two caterpillars, one monarch and one black swallowtail. As they munched and grew on my screened porch, I was able to watch them molt to their pupa state, the chrysalis. Did you know that […]
by Eric Leroy Wilson Holy Monday is fast approaching. I am faced with a time of reflection about Jesus turning over tables and benches as He cleanses the Court of the Gentiles. While several moments in Jesus’ life are not included in all four gospels this moment certainly is. John places this event early in […]
by Matthew Wright Running through the history of our planet is a current of spiritual awakening. Beginning as a trickle, it flows through the cracks of history, touching at first individuals, now washing out, over and through interconnected circles, building in force, moving to gather up all things in its embrace. The current flowed in […]
A Reflection by Phileena Heuertz Last year, at the invitation of renowned Cistercian monk Fr. Thomas Keating, four of among the most prominent living western Christian contemplative teachers gathered in Snowmass at St. Benedict’s Monastery. In addition to Fr. Keating, three others gathered in respectful friendship: Rev. Dr. Tilden Edwards, Fr. Laurence Freeman, and […]
by Eric Leroy Wilson The memories of the older women I observed as a child at Riverview Church are etched indelibly in my mind. This church, built by the sweat and labor of my grandmother and grandfather, was the seedbed of my contemplative life. That church was sacred ground defended and held by these warrior women of faith. […]
by Phileena Heuertz Our recent presidential election has exposed and emphasized a great rift in the people who make up our nation. Political, economic, social, and religious ideologies may not have ever been more at odds with one another. Our new millennia has brought with it so much change. It’s as if our world has […]
By George Mekhail I have changed a lot over the past 18 months. I’ve deconstructed much of my worldview and consider the journey as just getting started. I am a heretic, a pirate and a mystic. I used to see things very differently than I see them today, and I hope that this process of […]
September 15, 2016 – February 15, 2017 From September 15, 2016 –February 15, 2017 Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism welcomes Chiraphone Khamphouvong as our Contemplative Activist (not) in Residence (CAIR). The CAIR program supports leading, innovative activists who desire a sabbatical for personal, professional, and spiritual development. CAIR is for bold and courageous leaders who have […]
Recently, Chris and Phileena visited our team in Ifrane, Morocco. I’m one of about 40 university and post-graduate students offering emergency aid to the thousands of refugees and immigrants desperately making their way through Morocco. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the retreat which was focused on integrating contemplation and action—something […]
by Kent Annan When writing my new book, Slow Kingdom Coming, my attention kept getting drawn to themes of contemplative activism and of doing good better—that is, to very Gravity-like themes! My work with Haiti Partners over the years has given me a deep appreciation for values like solidarity with people in poverty, justice […]
by Craig Greenfield The Mekong is a broad brown river that runs through Cambodia and Vietnam. Craig Greenfield, a veteran of Cambodian slums and inner city ministry explains in his new book, Subversive Jesus, how a jar of Mekong River water helped him find the balance between activism and contemplation. This is an excerpt… At […]