The Spiritual Art of Christian Contemplation: Insights from Thomas Merton, and others

Christian contemplation, a form of prayer that allows us to experience God's presence within us, is an ancient tradition rooted in the scriptures and early Christian communities. It's a practice that encourages silence, stillness, and the purging of self-centered thoughts to encounter the divine mystery. The writings and teachings of Thomas Merton, Thomas Keating, and James Martin provide profound insights into this spiritual practice.

Thomas Merton: The Art of Silent Surrender

Thomas Merton, a 20th-century Trappist monk, was a prolific writer and a significant figure in the revival of monasticism in the West. He described contemplation as an awakening to the real presence of God and humanity's deep connection with divine reality. For Merton, contemplation was not an isolated act but a way of life that involved the entirety of our being.

In his seminal work, "New Seeds of Contemplation," Merton emphasizes that the art of contemplation is not about mastering a technique but is a gift from God. He argues that it is a transformation of consciousness, a deep awareness of the divine presence in all of life. "Contemplation," Merton wrote, "is the highest expression of man's intellectual and spiritual life. It is that life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive."

Thomas Keating: The Practice of Centering Prayer

Father Thomas Keating, a Trappist monk like Merton, also made substantial contributions to Christian contemplation in the 20th century. He developed a method of prayer known as Centering Prayer, which is rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition while being accessible to people of all backgrounds.

In "Open Mind, Open Heart," Keating presents Centering Prayer as a renewal of the ancient Christian practice of contemplative prayer, a method of quieting the mind to prepare for the gift of contemplation. He teaches that by consistently returning our attention to a sacred word during prayer, we can let go of our own thoughts and open ourselves to God's presence and action within us. Through this, we gradually deepen our relationship with the divine and cultivate inner peace.

James Martin: Contemplation in Action

James Martin, a Jesuit priest and author, provides a slightly different perspective on Christian contemplation. He emphasizes the Jesuit ideal of finding God in all things, which implies that contemplation should lead to action.

In his book, "The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything," Martin describes the contemplative practice as noticing where God is already active in our lives and the world. He proposes the 'Examen' - a daily prayer routine to review and reflect on the day's events - to help in recognizing God’s presence and action. Martin asserts that true contemplation moves beyond mere introspection to impact how we engage with the world, fostering a deep sense of compassion and social responsibility.

All three of these spiritual thinkers agree that Christian contemplation is more than a spiritual exercise—it is a transformative journey that deepens our relationship with the divine, reshapes our consciousness, and enables us to live more compassionately and mindfully. As we strive to practice this art of contemplation, we can draw upon the wisdom of Merton's silent surrender, Keating's centering prayer, and Martin's contemplation in action. Through this, we are invited not only to encounter God but also to allow this encounter to shape our interactions with the world around us.

Advanced Practice of the Middle Pillar Ritual: Integrating All Sephiroth into the Subtle Body

Introduction

The Middle Pillar Ritual, as originally developed by Israel Regardie and later expanded upon by Chic Cicero and others, primarily focuses on the sephiroth found on the middle pillar of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. However, in advanced practice, one may choose to include all ten Sephiroth, incorporating aspects of the left and right pillars into their energy body, or "subtle body," ritual work. This complex exercise extends beyond the basic Middle Pillar Ritual and requires a solid grounding in Kabbalistic symbolism, a well-developed visualization capacity, and a strong foundation in ceremonial practice.

Understanding the Sephiroth

The ten Sephiroth represent emanations or aspects of divine energy, each with its own specific qualities and correspondences. They are typically divided into three pillars: the Pillar of Mercy (right), the Pillar of Severity (left), and the Middle Pillar (center). To incorporate all ten Sephiroth in an energy work ritual is to invite a broader spectrum of divine energies into one's subtle body and to balance contrasting aspects of one's being.

Expanded Middle Pillar Exercise

To integrate all the Sephiroth into the Middle Pillar Ritual, the practitioner would typically start with the familiar process, focusing on the five centers that correspond to the Sephiroth on the middle pillar. After this, they would incorporate the Sephiroth of the left and right pillars.

The order may vary based on the practitioner's tradition or personal preference, but one common approach is to proceed upwards from Malkuth (Kingdom) at the base of the Tree of Life, vibrating the divine names associated with each Sephira and visualizing the corresponding color and location on the body.

Advanced practitioners, attuned to the energies of the Tree, might also incorporate the 22 paths that connect the Sephiroth, each related to a Hebrew letter and a card from the Tarot's Major Arcana. This adds another layer of complexity and richness to the practice.

Benefits of Advanced Practice

Incorporating all Sephiroth allows practitioners to draw upon a more complete range of divine energies and work towards a more comprehensive balance within their subtle bodies. The process may provide profound insights into the harmonious operation of opposing forces within one's being, reflecting the Hermetic principle of "As above, so below."

As a transformative tool, this advanced practice can facilitate personal growth and self-awareness, encouraging the practitioner to confront and integrate all aspects of their spiritual and psychological self. Moreover, it provides an experiential understanding of Kabbalistic principles, grounding these complex concepts in personal experience.

Conclusion

The advanced practice of the Middle Pillar Ritual, integrating all ten Sephiroth of the Kabbalistic Tree of Life, is a complex but rewarding extension of this foundational exercise. It fosters a deep sense of connection to divine energies and offers practitioners a powerful method for personal and spiritual development. However, due to its complexity, it should be approached with proper preparation, understanding, and respect for the profound forces it engages with.

Understanding Hermeticism: A Journey Into the Ancient Wisdom

Hermeticism, an influential philosophical and spiritual tradition, has been a profound cornerstone of Western esoteric thought. Derived from the teachings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, an ancient figure conflating the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth, Hermeticism is a vast and intricate system that blends astrology, alchemy, and theosophy. Its texts, ideas, and teachings have shaped numerous areas, including religion, philosophy, science, and the arts.

Origins of Hermeticism

The origins of Hermeticism can be traced back to the Hellenistic period, particularly in Alexandria, Egypt, where Greek and Egyptian cultures met and melded. The Hermetic tradition encompasses several texts known as the "Hermetica," which were written between the 1st and 3rd centuries AD. These texts, ostensibly dialogues between Hermes Trismegistus and various disciples, are divided into philosophical and technical works, the most significant of which are the "Corpus Hermeticum" and the "Emerald Tablet."

Key Principles

Hermeticism incorporates a wide range of beliefs, yet there are core principles that underpin this tradition:

1. The Principle of Mentalism: This principle posits that the universe is mental, created from the mind of God.

2. The Principle of Correspondence: As the famed Hermetic axiom states, "As above, so below; as below, so above." This principle establishes a relationship between the macrocosm (the universe) and the microcosm (the individual).

3. The Principle of Vibration: Everything in the universe is in constant motion, continually vibrating.

4. The Principle of Polarity: Everything has an opposite, and these opposites are identical in nature but differ in degree.

5. The Principle of Rhythm: Everything flows in and out, swinging back and forth like a pendulum.

6. The Principle of Cause and Effect: Nothing happens by chance, and there's a cause for every effect.

7. The Principle of Gender: Everything has masculine and feminine principles and interaction, manifesting on all planes.

Influence of Hermeticism

Hermeticism's influence has been significant and far-reaching. During the Renaissance, Hermetic philosophy played a crucial role in the development of modern science. Scholars such as Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola rediscovered and translated Hermetic texts, which greatly influenced the burgeoning humanist movement.

Hermetic philosophy also heavily influenced the Western magical tradition, particularly ceremonial magic. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a significant magical order in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, incorporated Hermetic principles into its teachings. Hermetic ideas are also central to various contemporary esoteric movements, such as Theosophy, Rosicrucianism, and New Thought.

Modern Hermeticism

Today, Hermeticism continues to have a vibrant existence. Its concepts resonate with many modern spiritual seekers who see in the Hermetic principles a synthesis of science, philosophy, and spirituality. Hermeticism offers a holistic understanding of the universe and humanity's place within it, promoting the pursuit of gnosis, or direct knowledge of the divine.

While Hermeticism is complex, at its core, it encourages a path of self-realization and an understanding of the universe's interconnected nature. As our understanding of the cosmos evolves, so does the applicability of Hermetic wisdom. It remains a rich source of spiritual inspiration, esoteric insight, and a framework for personal development.

The Relevance of Hermeticism Today

In today's interconnected and rapidly evolving world, many are searching for ways to make sense of life's complexity. This is where Hermeticism continues to shine. Its principles offer an intuitive framework for understanding life's mysteries. The Principle of Correspondence, for instance, can be seen in the patterns that recur in nature, human societies, and individual lives.

Moreover, Hermeticism's emphasis on the inherent divinity of the individual aligns with modern psychological understandings of self-actualization and personal growth. This reflects a shared belief that humans have the potential to tap into a broader range of experiences and consciousness levels than ordinarily accessed in daily life.