Self Improvement Site
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
On The Internet! Take the Self Improvement Tour
Articles from Robert Blake | Selfgrowth.com
- Thomas Merton: Notes for a Philosophy of Solitude - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2012 from Robert BlakeIn what many consider his most comprehensive work on the subject of solitude, “Notes for a Philosophy of Solitude” by Thomas Merton attempts to put forth and defend the concept of monastic living in terms that may be understood by the common person. In introducing the layperson to this hermetic ...
Views: 2970 - Thomas Merton on Marian Devotion - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2012 from Robert BlakeAccording to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the role of the Virgin Mary in the Church is inseparable from her union with Christ. Due to church teaching such as this, the practice of Marian Devotion, which can be described as any act intended to venerate the Virgin Mary, has been pervasive ...
Views: 2473 - Thomas Merton on St. John of the Cross - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2012 from Robert BlakeOf all those in the mystic tradition that Thomas Merton expressed fondness for, it may be that he revered none greater than the 16th century Spanish contemplative known as St. John of the Cross. Though, as Merton points out, the saint was not famous in his lifetime, the Trappist monk feels ...
Views: 2223 - Thomas Merton and Technology - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2012 from Robert BlakeThomas Merton’s thoughts on the impact of technology on western society are so well documented; even the casual Merton reader is likely to be familiar with them. In various letters, books, and essays, Merton stated that the reliance on technology in the west was interfering with the ability of ...
Views: 1932 - St. Teresa of Avila and the Universal Call to Holiness - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2012 from Robert BlakeWhat would you say if someone told you that you could scale the heights of contemplative prayer and attain union with God? After your initial, “huh?” would you believe them? Most of us cannot claim to be a mystic. In fact, most Christians believe that advanced contemplative prayer (mystical ...
Views: 1895 - Thomas Merton and the Crisis of Faith - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2012 from Robert BlakeHaving spent his spiritual life in search of a mystic union with God, Thomas Merton's teachings of contemplative thought and meditation remain relevant more than forty years after his death. Among the many subjects this prolific author tackled during his lifetime, Merton dedicated a special ...
Views: 1704 - Thomas Merton: Preface to “The Wisdom of the Desert” - by Submitted on Mar 30, 2012 from Robert BlakeThroughout the course of his life, Thomas Merton showed a particular reverence for hermits and those who chose to live a life of eremitism. For Merton, it was the calling of hermitage that led to the ultimate contemplative state which allowed for a believer to enter into a mystic relationship ...
Views: 1264 - The Lasting Importance of the Ecumenical Council of Trent - by Submitted on Apr 05, 2012 from Robert BlakeLasting almost two decades, the 16th century Council of Trent is widely considered to be one of the most important council’s in Catholic Church history. Though it was interrupted on several occasions due to wars, the deaths of Pope’s, and disagreements as to what should constitute Church ...
Views: 1217 - Catholic Church Teaching: Evolution - by Submitted on Mar 07, 2012 from Robert BlakeThere is perhaps no greater example of the potential clash between religion and science than the "evolution vs. creationism" debate that has raged throughout much of the 20th century. With so many public figures stating that Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is incompatible with the Christian ...
Views: 1157 - The Christian Mystic Tradition - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2012 from Robert BlakeFor those who have not been exposed to Christian mysticism, the phrase “Christian mystic” may seem like a contradiction of terms. This is hardly surprising, as a common understanding of the word “mystic” falls more in line with witchcraft and the occult than Jesus and the Trinity. However, it ...
Views: 914 - The Mystic Saints: Francis of Assisi - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2012 from Robert BlakeOne of the most revered saints in Roman Catholic history, St. Francis of Assisi was canonized in 1228, just two years after his death. Made the patron saint of animals and ecology due to his reverence for nature, this Christian leader and mystic devoted the better part of his life to helping the ...
Views: 719 - The Life of Jesus: Jesus the Healer - by Submitted on Apr 16, 2012 from Robert BlakeHealing as Part of Scriptural Tradition The healing narratives that appear in scripture work to inspire one’s faith as well as their curiosity. For many, the acts of healing that may be discovered during the course of Catholic study speak to the true power of God that is present in their ...
Views: 700 - The Eucharist and Church History - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2012 from Robert BlakePerhaps the most important of the sacraments, The Eucharist is defined within the Church as the body, blood, and spirit of Jesus Christ contained in bread and wine. First established by Jesus at the last supper, the account of the formation and acceptance of the Eucharist by the apostles can be ...
Views: 690