In the final episode of this season, Thomas speaks to the role of sincerity in prayer life. Many of us have a tendency to think we've got to do it all—that if we're going to grow spiritually, we've got to do it by the sweat of our brow. But in a world of Grace, a little sincerity goes a very long way indeed.

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

3-day meditation retreat (December 11th-13th)

This is a continuation of last week's episode about committing more fully to life's challenging moments. Thomas explores the sacred, transformative element of suffering that we can turn to in times of agony and distress. The more willingness we cultivate to remain present through life's trials, the more we find Christ's Love invincibly present in us and through us as a catalyzing force making all things holy.

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

3-day meditation retreat (December 11th-13th)

In a world moving at hyperspeed, it's difficult enough to find a moment to touch into genuine stillness. But even if we do manage to center ourselves in prayer and meditation, how do we remain still and centered throughout the full catastrophe of each day's events? Thomas shares a practice in this episode that will help you "train to remain" in stillness, to abide in a deep reservoir of Silence.

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

3-day meditation retreat (December 11th-13th)

It is easy to assume that we know ourselves. After all, who could be more familiar with me than, well, me? But contemplation teaches us that there are many layers to the self, some superficial, but others so hidden from us that only God can know us at these extraordinary depths. Enter an exploration in this episode with guidance from St. Augustine and the wisdom teachings of Jesus to discover your True Self.

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

3-day meditation retreat (December 11th-13th)

One of our first tasks as a human being—from the moment we're born—is to form a healthy sense of self. Without it, we can't navigate the world, form relationships, and move choicefully towards the things we want. At a certain point, though, our sense of self starts to get in the way. We start to mistake our possessions, even our ideas, for who we really are. Jesus, master teacher, saw this pitfall in our humanity and instructed us to turn away from these attachments, to accept the cross as he did. Contemplative prayer can show us the way.

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

3-day meditation retreat (December 11th-13th)

There is prayer, and then there is prayer. When you pray, do you ever get the sense that you're not really praying? That nothing much is happening? Through the teachings of John Climacus, a 7th century spiritual teacher, and through personal story, Thomas speaks to the importance of attention in our prayer life. Ultimately, our quality of attention and quality of prayer turn out to be one and the same offering.

Upcoming, in-person offerings with Thomas:

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

9-month deep dive in the contemplative life (still accepting applications)

What would it be like if, at will, we could "silence the mind and be aware at the core of our being." Sufi Master, Kabir Helminski writes that from these depths we receive "help from the Source of Life." As we learn to join ourselves with this Source—some would call it God—we find that it contains all the qualities of Spirit in potential, waiting to express through our unique vessel.

Upcoming, in-person offerings with Thomas:

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

9-month deep dive in the contemplative life (still accepting applications)

Jesus tells us that "unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone." Rumi, the Sufi poet, echoes this wisdom, declaring that, "Except for dying…no other skill impresses God." What does this mean? How do we "die before we die?" Prepare to enter the mystery in this episode and discover what "plentiful harvest" awaits on the other side of life.

Upcoming, in-person offerings with Thomas:

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

9-month deep dive in the contemplative life (still accepting applications)

Father Richard Rohr shared at a recent gathering that his spiritual practice nowadays is to, " look at something till I love it. It doesn't take very long." What could this mean? What would that be like? Thomas shares a related scripture in this episode and invites you to see with the eyes of love, and to marvel how all things are made new.

Upcoming, in-person offerings with Thomas:

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

9-month deep dive in the contemplative life (still accepting applications)

At the heart of contemplation is an attitude of total surrender to the Divine. This is easier said than done, of course. In our minds, we may sincerely believe that we wish to do God's will in all things. But the moment the bitter cup is served, we often find ourselves protesting and howling at life's unfairness. Christ's prayer in Gethsemane is an archetype of perfect "willingness": the willingness to experience exactly what life gives us to experience in each moment, trusting that it is for our good. And it's not only Christianity where the virtue of "willingness" figures prominently. Listen as Thomas takes a comparative look at the Buddhist tradition's take on this "divine abode."

Upcoming, in-person offerings with Thomas:

7-day meditation retreat (September 30th - October 7th)

9-month deep dive in the contemplative life (still accepting applications)