Contemplative Christianity
In this section we explore what role contemplative Christian teachings could play as our intelligence evolves. The first thing we see is that for the first time, our view includes traditional, modern and postmodern translations of Christian teachings. The traditional focusing more on doctrine and dogma, the modern focusing more on academic historical research and the postmodern focusing more on inclusion of a broader range of lifestyles in Christian congregations with an emphasis on social justice. An Integral view includes the healthy aspects of all three.
As different as these views are from each other, the one story line that resonates through all three is the importance of the authentic teachings of Jesus. As we look at the role of spirituality in now and future culture, how do the teachings of Jesus inform what is included as our intelligence expands. Below are a set of videos I created with my team with progressive Christian and spiritual teachers for the Return to the Heart of Christ Consciousness inquiry. Each one talks about their special relationship with Jesus and how it has evolved as they have.
The Future of Christianity - Trailer
The Future of Christianity was the first Integral documentary project I directed after joining Integral Life. It was an early attempt to lay out what an Integral view of Christianity included. It was designed around interviews with Ken Wilber and Father Thomas Keating. Their thoughts and reflections were then turned into a series of explorations of what an Integral Christianity could include.
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Father Thomas Keating
In this clip, Father Keating, noted Christian contemplative teacher and author shares his thoughts on his relationship with Jesus. Fr. Thomas Keating, O.C.S.O. is a Trappist monk and priest, known as one of the architects of Centering Prayer, a contemporary method of contemplative prayer, that emerged from St. Joseph's Abbey, in Spencer, Massachusetts. Father Keating for many years was also the Abbot at Snowmass Monastery in Colorado.
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Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault
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In this clip, Cynthia, noted author and progressive Christian teacher of the Wisdom Way, talks about her relationship with Jesus. Cynthia is a modern-day mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally known retreat leader. She divides her time between solitude at her seaside hermitage in Maine and a demanding schedule traveling globally to teach and spread the recovery of the Christian contemplative and Wisdom paths.
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Rev. Paul Smith
A Transforming Relationship with Jesus
In this full length clip, Paul lays out an Integral view of his very special relationship with Jesus. Paul Smith, is a mystic, teacher, author, and retired pastor. His first and only pastorate was for 49 years at Broadway Church in Kansas City, Missouri. Smith came to the conservative Southern Baptist Church (SBC) in 1963, which, after a series of changes, was eventually ejected from the SBC, having evolved into the progressive integral church he has written about in his books.
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Fr. Richard Rohr
In this clip, Richard Rohr explores his current relationship with Jesus. Richard is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher and noted author bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Adyashanti - Resurrecting Jesus
In this excerpt from his full talk at the Return to the Heart Conference, Adya illuminates his unique relationship with Jesus. Adyashanti is an American-born spiritual teacher and noted author devoted to serving the awakening of all beings. His books include The Way of Liberation, Falling into Grace, True Meditation, and The End of Your World.
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