Methods of Contemplation

This is a contemplative reading of the Third Theophany of Moses, by Saint Gregory of Nyssa. As one of the first desert fathers of the Christian tradition, Gregory's words here give us a window into the view of Christ in its extra-temporal nature - reverberating through time as the eternal I Am. Connect with me on instagram  @methodsofcontemplation Work with me one-on-one: https://calendly.com/...

All creatures are words of God. A meditative reading of Meister Eckhart's Sermon 5 from his selected German translations. Often touted as the Christian tradition's most non-dual teacher, Meister Eckhart stretches the bounds of traditional Christian theology and philosophy. His words serve as a wonderful aid to contemplative prayer. Connect with me on instagram @methodsofcontemplation Work...

This method is a guided meditation on the nature of the non-dual. Non-Duality, or "A-dvaita" in Sanskrit, is the experiential realization of the oneness of the individual soul and the supreme Godhead. Literally meaning "not-two", advaita expresses the simplicity of Absolute Reality as awareness itself.

This method is a non-dual guided visualization of the Divine Mother. Called by many names like Sophia, Shakti, Devī, Goddess, etc. - the Divine Feminine is typically expressed as the active or dynamic principle in spiritual ontology. In this meditation though, we take a specifically femininist lens in expressing the nature of the Absolute itself as Mother.

This method is a relaxing non-dual visualization and meditation on the Universal and Cosmic nature of Christ. The encounter with and participation in the eternal being of the Divine is the breaking free of our small sense of self into the more expansive and loving awareness that is the Logos.

"The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao". So says the primary text of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching. But to trace our way back to that eternal Tao, we can make use of the spoken word as a pointer. Much like a finger pointing to the moon, use this guided non-dual meditation to become present to the unceasing clarity of your essential nature.

In this guided meditation, Barrett Self leads us from our traditional posture of doing, to a relaxing fall back into the center of our own being. Barrett Self is a writer, cheesecake lover, and the face of 'e x h a l e', an online platform where he offers direct spiritual coaching for people of all backgrounds. In this conversation, Barrett and I discuss the importance of a heart based spiritualit...

Barrett Self is a writer, cheesecake lover, and the face of 'e x h a l e', an online platform where he offers direct spiritual coaching for people of all backgrounds . In this conversation, Barrett and I discuss the importance of a heart based spirituality that incorporates the body as well as the mind. He gives some practical tips for anyone that wants to deepen their moment to moment experience...

An ordained gnostic bishop and a highly empowered adept of esoteric voudon, Craig Williams has moved beyond conservative views of Vedic studies – evolving a radically unique system of esoteric Hinduism and left hand tantra. with over 25 years of academic and initiatic study in yoga, Ayurveda, tantra, jyotish, and Vedanta, Williams is the recipient of the prestigious “veda kovid”, “yogacharya”, and...

Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan is a Cardiologist and Professor of Medicine at Oakland University School of Medicine in MI. She has studied Advaita Vedanta at the Chinmaya Mission, the Direct Path with Greg Goode, Śrīvidyā with Śri Śivapremananda, and Non-dual Śaiva Tantra (also known as Kashmir Śaivisim) with Paul Muller-Ortega and Sally Kempton. Her workshops, courses and writings strive to bring these t...

Pitṛpakṣa is a 16–lunar day period in the fall when we pay homage to our ancestors. The purpose of this tradition is to not just appease generations of our ancestors in another realm, but also to free ourselves of kārmic bonds. Ordinarily, even when we are aware of this tradition, our focus isn't on the internal freedom from ancestral patterns that keep us bound. In this workshop, we will explore...

Today’s method is Self-Inquiry. Self-Inquiry, is a teaching popularized by Sri Ramana Maharshi, a Tamil saint from the early 20th century. Based on the ancient Vedic practice of Atma-vichara, self-inquiry is the quintessential practice for those on the path of knowledge, and is sometimes called the Maha or Great Yoga.  Vicharasangraham and Nan Yar were the first printed set of instructions for the...

In this episode of Being-With, I speak with Colette Lafia, an author and spiritual director based in SanFrancisco. Colette teaches on the nature of the heart with respect to the spiritual path, and the ways that it opens us up to receive by surrendering. Her books include The Divine Heart (May 2021), Seeking Surrender (2015) & Comfort & Joy (2008). Find her new book The Divine Heart here:...

Colette Lafia, an author and spiritual director based in SanFrancisco leads us through a short meditation on the nature of Love as it relates to the spiritual path. Colette teaches on the nature of the heart with respect to the spiritual path, and the ways that it opens us up to receive by surrendering. Her books include The Divine Heart (May 2021), Seeking Surrender (2015) & Comfort & Joy...

In this episode Dr. Brian Russell (@yourprofessorforlife) leads us through his preferred method of contemplative prayer, Centering Prayer. This particular way of consenting to the divine action and presence is the topic of his upcoming book on the method of Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life. He runs the Deep Dive Spirituality Podcast as well as a coaching pra...

In this episode of Being-With, I talk with Dr. Brian Russell (@yourprofessorforlife) about his upcoming book on the method of Centering Prayer: Sitting Quietly in God's Presence Can Change Your Life. He runs the Deep Dive Spirituality Podcast as well as a coaching practice. Find him here: https://linktr.ee/briandrussell

Hello, and welcome to Methods of Contemplation, an exploration in guided prayer and meditation. The Cloud of Unknowing is an anonymous 14th century work on the practice of contemplative prayer. It has been a constant companion of Christian mystics through the ages, and outlines an incredibly powerful way of disposing ourselves to the gift of contemplation. In this episode I'll be referencing the t...

In this method, Mark Gladman (Brother Frederick-James) leads us through his prayer of the rosary for those new to the practice. Mark Gladman is a Benedictine monk teaching and practicing ancient forms of christian meditation, contemplation, mindfulness, and prayer for personal & community transformation. He is a teacher on Insight Timer, as well as a host on the podcast The Work of God, which...

Mark Gladman is a Benedictine monk teaching and practicing ancient forms of christian meditation, contemplation, mindfulness, and prayer for personal & community transformation. He is a teacher on Insight Timer, as well as a host on the podcast The Work of God, which is a podcast centered around praying the daily office. A spiritual wanderer and wonderer, his work helps people deconstruct and...

Carl McColman is a contemplative writer, speaker, and podcast host of Encountering Silence. His recent books include: The Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Unteachable Lessons, and his new book - Eternal Heart. In this episode, Carl and I chat about the nature of the eternal heart, the gifts of the spirit that draw us to the Divine, and the mobius strip shape of the spiritual path itself. Find Carl...

Hello, and welcome to Methods, an exploration in guided prayer and meditation. Today’s method is mantra. In Buddhism, the word mantra means “mind protecting”. A mantra protects the mind by preventing it from going into its’ usual patterns, which often are not our desired or optimal conscious perspective. Mantra is a powerful spiritual practice for centering, and for letting go of strong emotions s...

In this episode of Being-With, I speak with Scott Odom. Scott is a retired police officer and practitioner of Tibetan Buddhism, Kambo, and Santo Daime. Scott has a unique talent for diving into the heart of the transformative aspect of spirituality, and in that sense is a true radical. In this conversation we discuss all sorts of things like the realities of mental health in policing, addiction, e...

Hello, and welcome to Methods, an exploration in guided prayer and meditation. This is our fourth season, Feel. In this season, we’ll attempt to showcase methods of prayer and meditation that facilitate feeling, embodiment, and direct perception of reality, beneath the web of our conditioned thought patterns. Today’s exercise is a long format loving-kindness or metta meditation based on the expand...

Hello, and welcome to Methods, an exploration in guided prayer and meditation. This is our fourth season, Feel. In this season, we’ll attempt to showcase methods of prayer and meditation that facilitate feeling, embodiment, and direct perception of reality, beneath the web of our conditioned thought patterns. Today’s exercise: Feel Feel free to catch up with us on social media @methodspodcast, or...

Hello, and welcome to Methods, an exploration in guided prayer and meditation. This is our fourth season, Feel. In this season, we’ll attempt to showcase methods of prayer and meditation that facilitate feeling, embodiment, and direct perception of reality, beneath the web of our conditioned thought patterns. Metta is the pali word for loving kindness, and its one of the four Brahmaviharas, or sub...