The Pocket Contemplative

Among the encouragements of ongoing spiritual growth is that the great teachers--for instance, Thomas Merton in this episode--tell us that all that growth has every chance of making our relationships better than they've ever been. Dave Schmelzer will talk both about contemplative and folk wisdom about keeping your most important relationships strong and growing. Mentioned on this podcast: New Seeds of Contemplation, by Thomas Merton Romans 12:18 The Odd Couple Difficult Conversations, by Douglas Stone, Bruce Hatton and Sheila Heen

In this time of Covid-19, great spiritual teachers remind us that, counterintuitively, a daily experience of enthusiasm, joy and love not only is our birthright, but is the thing that will give us the best chance of responding well to whatever circumstances come our way. But of course spiritual teachings like theirs run the risk of encouraging a false front or of being superficial--the thing that these teachers most definitely are not. They avoid these problems by tying their key teachings to Jesus's cross--to understanding the suffering of our life in an entirely new and powerful way. Dave Schmelzer looks at why this is uniquely powerful during this worldwide crisis. Mentioned on this podcast: Luke 9:23; John 12:24; Ephesians 3:16; Proverbs 23:7; Psalm 51:6; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Romans 7:22; 1 Samuel 16:7; Proverbs 20:27; 1 Corinthians 1:18 A modern book which highlights many of the points made here: The Untethered Soul, by Michael A. Singer 

On the last Journey On, Dave Schmelzer talked about classic spiritual approaches that were discovered during pandemics and offer happiness even during such stressful times. Here he'll look at how understanding a few, particular things about God has also proven encouraging and useful even when things are most challenging.  Mentioned on this podcast: The Unity of the Bible, by Daniel P. Fuller Weekly online Journey On groups. Email: [email protected] 

Perhaps the richest spirituality in the Christian tradition was forged during a pandemic, of all things. Dave Schmelzer will look at what Julian of Norwich and some modern spiritual masters have to tell us about thriving during such a time. And, who knew?, they start by urging us that happiness, even in such times, is the goal and is possible. Mentioned on this podcast:  Julian of Norwich Acts 26:14; James 1:5-8; James 1:1-4 Bridge of Spies Sonya Lyubomirsky The Book of Joy, by Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama An online Journey On spiritual community. [email protected] 

It turns out that there's a powerful, unexpected bright spot to our suffering and disappointment. Join Dave Schmelzer for a look at how spiritual masters from around the world--including Mother Teresa and John of the Cross--tell us about how our dark nights might not be as bad as they appear. In his preface, Dave offers some contemplative reflections on the threat of the coronavirus. Mentioned on this podcast: Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics, by Dan Harris and Jeff Warren Journey to the Heart, edited by Kim Nataraja Radical Acceptance, by Tara Brach Isaiah 43:18-19; Isaiah 50:10,11; Romans 8:14-17; John 12:24 Online groups on journeying spirituality. Email [email protected] for information

On the previous Journey On, we talked about how growing spiritual people might lead all of us out of our current deep cultural divisions. Here we'll look at how much smaller choices that lead to our own continued astonishment at the world are in themselves a profound start that direction. You'll hear from a legendary peace activist who also, delightfully, is one of our most profound teachers about a life of sustained wonder and joy.Mentioned on this podcast:Psalm 45:7, Hebrews 1:9 Thich Nhat Hanh: Essential Writings 

Our world is so divided, politically, culturally, and religiously--even among people who claim the same religion as our own. Perhaps a certain sort of growing spirituality can help us not only personally thrive but also help lead the way through this moment to a better future. Join Dave Schmelzer as he looks at thoughts from great spiritual masters and philosophers and, of course, the Bible, about how to find unexpected joy, grace and compassion right when the world around us can seem the most bleak. Mentioned on this podcast: Ken Wilber's book A Brief History of Everything Jeremiah 29:7; Romans 12:14,18; Ephesians 2:14; Matthew 5:22 John Oliver talking with the Dalai Lama 

20th Century America was a golden era for optimistic teaching about how to succeed. While the advice was great from point to point, as a whole it often left people less happy than they were before learning it. But the great spiritual teachers have their own take on how to succeed that takes us to a very different place. With lots of storytelling and the occasional cultural allusion, Dave Schmelzer walks us through both takes, with some concrete suggestions about what might come next for us.

We all hit problems in our lives that don't have easy answers and so, in the absence of obvious ways to solve them, we obsess over them. Many great spiritual teachers talk about what this is like and they have both a surprising way through these problems and a surprising upshot that will lead us to a solution we couldn't have seen coming. Join Dave Schmelzer for a look at this powerful advice with wisdom from theologians and Zen teachers and C.S. Lewis and the Bible and a classic movie or two.Mentioned in this podcast It's a Wonderful LifeIsaiah 30:15-16, Proverbs 3:5-6; 28:26, 23:4, Psalm 125:1, John 12:24The Unity of the Bible, by Daniel P. FullerTill We Have Faces, by C.S. LewisEveryday Zen, by Charlotte Joko Beck A weekly online group. Contact [email protected].