The Pocket Contemplative

Of course we all want to maximize pleasant times and minimize difficult ones, but the great spiritual teachers--in many cases taking perspective from the eccentric biblical book Ecclesiastes--tell us that learning to fully inhabit both the hard and the good times transforms everything as we're taken into a sort of God Zone. In this story-rich episode, Dave Schmelzer will explore wisdom not just from Eccleciastes but from the contemplative Rami Shapiro and the early church father Clement of Alexandria. 

Mentioned on this podcast:
Ecclesiastes 1:2-3,7; 9:2; 5:17-19, 7:14; 3:1-3,11; 4:8-9; 3:22; 9:7-8; 11:1
Rami Shapiro's book Perennial Wisdom for the Spiritually Independent
Clement of Alexandria

"What's new?" has become a difficult question for many of us to answer during the pandemic, and yet neuroscientists tell us that novelty is a key to happiness. Dave Schmelzer offers us insight from spiritual masters from Christianity, Judaism and Zen on this crucial question, with a particular look at often-misunderstood wisdom from St. Paul. As a throw-in, Paul explains why the horrible tribalism we're experiencing today is inevitable...but how to leave it in favor of rich connection. 

Mentioned on this podcast:

Acts 17:27-28; Romans 1:16-17, 3:3, 3:19-20, 5:17, 8:2,9, 8:15, 8:18, 8:31-33,35,37; Revelation 21:5, John 16:33

Many earnest churchgoers have found great encouragement from lots of Bible reading. But, as life goes on, many of them not only burn out on Bible reading, but become disturbed by parts of the Bible that didn't bother them before. Dave Schmelzer takes a contemplative, journeying look at the good and bad elements of reading the Bible and, finally, at a hopeful way forward. Mentioned on this podcast: The Seek Course Wesley's Quadrilateral Galatians 3:28; Mark 4:1-20; Psalm 1:1-3  A helpful rethinking of enjoying the Bible: What Do We Do With the Bible? by Richard Rohr

As life moves forward, faith changes for many people, which can feel unsettling. Where, some might ask, is Jesus in whatever this new phase is? Dave Schmelzer has processed this with lots and lots of people. Here's the best stuff he's learned.Mentioned on this podcast:The Seek CourseNot the Religious Type and Blue Ocean Faith, by Dave SchmelzerJourney to the Heart, edited by Kim Nataraja  

Maybe finding our calling right now actually isn't so hard--that the trick is living it out. Join Dave Schmelzer as he looks at the wisdom of one contemplative who explores how calling changes over time, how we all face pressures to live out someone else's calling, how embracing our calling gives meaning and power to our suffering, and how a four-part pathway might propel us into all the benefits of our calling.  Mentioned on this podcast:Psalm 32:8Stephen Cope's book, The Great Work of Your Life: A Guide for the Journey to Your True CallingOnline groups on Wednesdays, Sundays and Mondays. Get info at [email protected] 

One very simple but hard to pull off move, we're told, is the building block of what Paul calls "renewing our minds" and Jesus calls "becoming pure of heart and so seeing God" and some Eastern sages might call Enlightenment. Dave Schmelzer will walk through that one move and then pull back the curtain to chat briefly about why this move is so central to our hopes of experiencing such cosmic things.  Mentioned on this podcast Romans 12:2; John 5:19-20; John 17:20-23 The Wise Heart, by Jack Kornfield Paul Ricouer Further Along the Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck

If we listen enough to the great spiritual teachers, it will hit us that the spirituality they're describing, while absolutely appealing, is different and more chill than the spirituality we've been taught. Jumping off from a list from one modern contemplative, Dave Schmelzer details how this unexpected spirituality can really help in a world which so often feels like "riding on a bumpy road." Mentioned on this podcast: A Path with Heart, by Jack Kornfield Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer The Wisdom of the Desert, by Thomas Merton Weekly online Journey On groups. For more information, email [email protected] A bi-weekly Journey On newsletter. Sign up here. 

In this remarkable time of protesting injustice, do the great spiritual teachers we look at here have anything to contribute? Dave Schmelzer will take a look at what Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Thich Nhat Hanh, and the Dalai Lama--each of whom has led their people through oppression--want to tell us.Mentioned on this podcast: A six-week online "starter" group on the spirituality talked about on Journey On running Mondays at 2pm EST. Email [email protected] for information. The Book of Joy, by the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu Thich Nhat Hanh: Essential Writings Psalm 58

Neuroscientists and mystics tell us the same thing: our minds have been conditioned towards negativity, which all of us then do more or less well at fending off. But the great teachers tell us it doesn't have to be that way. Join Dave Schmelzer for a look at how bone-deep loving kindness can change us from the inside out.  Mentioned on this podcast An online small group on these things on Wednesdays at 9pm Eastern time or on Sundays at 6:30pm Eastern time. For information, email [email protected]. Appaloosa The Four Agreements, by Don Miguel Ruiz Hardwiring Happiness, by Rick Hanson John 12:31, 1 John 3:8, Matthew 6:28-29, Psalm 26:1-3, Philippians 4:6-7

We're taught by the great mystics that fully experiencing God's work in our life today--even at risk of being unprepared for potential suffering just around the corner--is the source of the life we want, even in a pandemic. With wisdom from Thomas Merton, Jesus, St. Paul and some modern contemplatives, Dave Schmelzer looks at your superpower in this--your powerful ability to improvise when needed.Mentioned on this podcast: Thomas Merton, New Seeds of Contemplation Bob Miglani, Embrace the Chaos: How India Taught Me to Stop Overthinking and Start Living Mark Epstein, Going to Pieces (Without Falling Apart) Psalm 23:1, Matthew 6:34, John 9:39-41, Romans 8:31-37,