The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Bourgeault is an author, lecturer,
hermit, priest, and scholar. In her ardent pursuit of a renewal
of the Christian contemplative path, she has worked closely with
Friars Thomas Keating and Bruno Barnhart and has studied Sufism,
the teachings of G.I. Gurdjieff, and the inner traditions of
Christianity. And when she isn't teaching Centering Prayer or
giving lectures around the world, she spends half the year in
the relative solitude of a Trappist hermitage in Snowmass,
Colorado.
In this interview with WIE's Maura O'Connor and
Jessica Roemischer, Bourgeault speaks eloquently and passionately about her
understanding of the spiritual life as seen through Christian
eyes. Her vivid interpretation of Eastern spiritual themes such
as surrender, emptiness, enlightenment, and nonduality emerge as
integral aspects of a distinctly Christian path. Traditional
Christian concepts such as poverty and obedience are transformed
into expressions of non-egoic relationship to self and other,
and surrender to emptiness in the quest for union with God.
Like many modern spiritual pioneers, Bourgeault reaches far
back into the core of a great tradition's contemplative and
mystical heart in order to bring forth a renewed, relevant, and
even evolutionary form of an ancient path. Indeed, perhaps it is
only through the sincere efforts of such dedicated practitioners
that the vital contributions of the past can shine through to
the present and even help light the way to a brighter future.
This interview was underwritten by the Trust for the Meditation Process, a charitable foundation supporting contemplative practice among Christians and encouraging dialogue and cooperation among all contemplative traditions.
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Recorded on: 2/9/2006
Christianity
Spiritual Inquiry
Spiritual Practices
Transcending Ego