As this series, Growing with Intention, wraps up, I thought it would be helpful to take a step back and look at the practices as a whole, from a specifically Christian theological lens. As someone who comes to these practices in a desire to be more faithful and to be a better disciple of Jesus, … Continue reading Integral Growth & Christian Spirituality
In this series on engines of spiritual growth, we've looked at how we can use our hearts, minds, unconscious wisdom, and actions to push us forward in faithfulness. But none of this would be possible without the body in and of itself. So I can't leave this series without giving some thought to this beautiful, … Continue reading Growing with Intention: The Body
So far in this series on practices and behaviours we can use to grow in faith, we've explored two ways of engaging transcendence (through 'spiritual' experiences and beauty), two ways of expanding the mind (through dialectical epistemology and value metabolism), and ways of bringing what is hidden into our awareness (especially through dream work and … Continue reading Growing with Intention: ‘Perfecting the Universe’ (or, Bearing Good Fruit (again))
This series exploring engines of our spiritual growth has shifted this week to look at practices designed to bring our unconscious into conscious awareness. The other day, I focused on the murky but fascinating world of our dreams. Today, I'm going to turn to shadow work, the process of becoming aware of, accepting, and integrating … Continue reading Growing with Intention: Shadow Work
Throughout history and across religious traditions around the globe, communities have turned to their mystics and masters as the great exemplars of spirituality. While in our culture today, the Buddha or Hindu gurus might come to mind first when we think about this phenomenon, it has historically been true of Christianity as well, whether East … Continue reading Growing with Intention: Mysticism and Meditation
Matthew Root 