The Pocket Contemplative

In this occasional TPC series in which we consider what might be familiar Christian themes in fresh ways, Dave Schmelzer looks at the unrivaled power of crossing cultures on God's behalf. Why is that one action so often connected with experiencing spiritual power? Dave tells dramatic personal stories on these lines involving, like, Hezbollah, but then has a wealth of day-to-day looks at this, especially zeroing in on how this might play out as we cross profound cultural divisions that might exist between us and our family and friends. 

Mentioned on this podcast:

The Palestinian-American comedian Sammy Obeid

Genesis 11:1-9; Genesis 1:28

Thomas Merton's thoughts on "the devil's theology" from New Seeds of Contemplation

We all face disillusionment, but the contemplatives offer us the good news that we're then given a profound opportunity to be initiated into the mysteries that lead to freedom and growth--and maybe even enlightenment and eternal life. With plenty of stories, Dave Schmelzer will invite us into perspectives from, well, Jesus and also Father Richard Rohr and St. John of the Cross and Jack Kornfield. He'll detail a fascinating survey he conducted about why people get disillusioned with churches in particular and he'll look at what that might mean. And, most profoundly, he'll talk about how what can seem like such a dark night might actually prove to be, in John's understanding, "a night more lovely than the dawn."

Mentioned on this podcast

Isaiah 50:10-11; John 12:24; Mark 4:26-32

Father Richard Rohr's Center for Action and Contemplation newsletter

Dave's newsletter (see https://www.blueoceanfaith.org/connect)

Jack Kornfield's book: A Path with Heart

A good deal of our misery comes from not feeling like our lives are turning out the way we'd planned. But Jesus--and mystics like Thomas Merton--strongly encourage us that we're on the wrong track when we look at our lives through that lens. Instead, they suggest an entirely different perspective on what we're up to that offers a new opportunity for enjoying our days, experiencing God, and finding the kind of meaning we'd been wanting. 

Mentioned on this podcast:

John 15:5; Matthew 6:33

Thomas Merton

"Seasons of Love," from the musical Rent

A book which addresses similar questions: The Practicing Mind, by Thomas M. Sterner

We live amidst profound cultural and spiritual divisions but can feel adrift in terms of what to do about it apart from judging people across the divide from us. Historic spiritual wisdom does have some thoughts, some of which turn out to be quite practical. Dave Schmelzer walks us through a provocative case study with insights from Franciscans, Zen thinkers, and psychologists, along with his own experiences.

Mentioned on this podcast:

Not the Religious Type and Blue Ocean Faith, by Dave Schmelzer, and Further Along the Road Less Traveled, by M. Scott Peck as books that discuss the stage theory we look at here.

The Wisdom Pattern, by Richard Rohr

The many books of Ken Wilber (here's one that addresses things on this podcast)

Weekly online groups (and a Sunday service) around these things that you should totally check out. More info at [email protected]

Inspired by the Oscar-nominated movie Sound of Metal, Dave Schmelzer looks at the latest research on how to find greater wellbeing. Starting, as Sound of Metal does, with contemplative practice, Dave looks at the research and advice behind practices like: writing rather than ruminating, spending discretionary money in a way that will lead to more happiness, learning how to savor life, and many more. But he gives particular focus to two practices: contemplatively learning to forgive and successfully nurturing interpersonal relationships. 


Mentioned on this podcast:

Sound of Metal, a movie on Amazon Prime

The Psychology of Happiness, an Audible Original by Jaime Kurtz

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by John Gottman with Nan Silver

"36 Questions to Bring You Closer Together"

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/open-gently/201310/36-questions-bring-you-closer-together

We're told that God is powerful, but as we age, most of us are flummoxed or frustrated with how to think about that, because clearly that power quite often does not bring about things that are important to us. Dave Schmelzer--inviting us into a perspective from a new, occasional Journey On offering--details how Jesus (followed by Gandhi, among others) helps us experience what our very encouraging, if unexpected power actually is. 

Mentioned on this podcast:

[email protected] to learn more about weekly, online Journey On groups and a new, occasional Sunday service

Sally's monologue from Barry, an HBO series

Scene from Ted Lasso, an Apple TV+ series

"God of Many Worlds"--reflections from Dave's physicist friend, Brian Odom. https://brian-c-odom.medium.com/

Justice questions are an explosive dividing line. Natasha Huang, a leader in Journey On and a hospital chaplain, and Cecil Tengatenga, a health researcher at Yale, join Dave Schmelzer to pass on how insights from a transformative class experience they shared together about contemplative spirituality and racial justice have shaped their lives and the lives of their classmates ever since.

Mentioned on this podcast:

Jesus and the Disinherited, by Howard Thurman