Friday, December 18, 2015

SPIRITUAL EXPLORATIONS -- 35

WE ARE EXPLORING THE PRACTICE OF STILLNESS

+ There are at least four essential elements composing the foundation of the enlightenment process: purification, concentration, effort, and mastery. It is helpful for us to evaluate our practice by the criteria of one or more of these essential characteristics.

In addition, when we understand the purpose of these elements, we gain a fresh appreciation of many different practices and traditions because we are better prepared to see the universality in the process of spiritual inquiry. This deepens our own inner work and helps us to respect others.
— David Cooper in A Heart of Stillness: A Complete Guide to Learning the Art of Meditation

+ Spirituality & Practice offers a book review of The Heart of Stillness by David Cooper. Here is an excerpt from the review: "Emphasizing that modern seekers have access to more resources for spiritual development than have past generations, Cooper probes the inner work of purification, concentration, effort and mastery through the wisdom teachings of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam. Meditation has never been explained so clearly and so richly."


+ The great wisdom traditions of the planet have mystical underpinnings which unite us in so many ways.  It is refreshing and now it is indeed vital to explore what we have in common.  Rabbi David Cooper is one who can guide us in this exploration of our mystical roots.  There are many more. I am only naming a few of my favorites here:  Edward Bastian, Wayne Teasdale, Karen Armstrong, Aldous Huxley, Elizabeth Lesser and, of course, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat who give us such a rich variety of spiritual practices at Spirituality & Practice.

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