Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does 'sentir' imply in the context of felt knowledge?
What does 'sentir' imply in the context of felt knowledge?
'Sentir' implies a deep, penetrating awareness of God's graces that encompasses the entire self, integrating intellect, feeling, and actions.
Explain the concept of 'Poverty of Spirit' and its significance.
Explain the concept of 'Poverty of Spirit' and its significance.
'Poverty of Spirit' signifies complete dependence on God for fulfillment and happiness, fostering trust in God's provision for one's needs.
What are the three stages of the classic Christian Spiritual Journey?
What are the three stages of the classic Christian Spiritual Journey?
The three stages are Purgation, Illumination, and Union, representing a process of purification, deeper understanding of faith, and unity with God.
How does holistic Christian Spirituality reflect an Incarnational view of God?
How does holistic Christian Spirituality reflect an Incarnational view of God?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe the nature and purpose of Christian poverty as one of the Evangelical Counsels.
Describe the nature and purpose of Christian poverty as one of the Evangelical Counsels.
Signup and view all the answers
What is introjection, and how does it influence personal beliefs?
What is introjection, and how does it influence personal beliefs?
Signup and view all the answers
What are inordinate attachments and why are they viewed as a spiritual vice?
What are inordinate attachments and why are they viewed as a spiritual vice?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the role of obedience in the context of the Evangelical Counsels.
Explain the role of obedience in the context of the Evangelical Counsels.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the ‘fruits’ of the Dark Night experience?
What are the ‘fruits’ of the Dark Night experience?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe the purpose of Centering Prayer.
Describe the purpose of Centering Prayer.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the four ‘R’s in Centering Prayer?
What are the four ‘R’s in Centering Prayer?
Signup and view all the answers
How does non-duality differ from subject-object dualism?
How does non-duality differ from subject-object dualism?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the concept of Kenosis in relation to God?
What is the concept of Kenosis in relation to God?
Signup and view all the answers
What role does the Sacred Word play in Centering Prayer?
What role does the Sacred Word play in Centering Prayer?
Signup and view all the answers
What feelings or experiences might indicate that Centering Prayer is effective?
What feelings or experiences might indicate that Centering Prayer is effective?
Signup and view all the answers
In the context of the Dark Night, how does one emerge after the process?
In the context of the Dark Night, how does one emerge after the process?
Signup and view all the answers
What does the phrase 'Every tree is known by its fruit' imply in a spiritual context?
What does the phrase 'Every tree is known by its fruit' imply in a spiritual context?
Signup and view all the answers
Define the theological virtue of hope.
Define the theological virtue of hope.
Signup and view all the answers
How do the Fruits of the Spirit function in distinguishing between good and bad guidance in life?
How do the Fruits of the Spirit function in distinguishing between good and bad guidance in life?
Signup and view all the answers
What value is embodied in moral norms when examining laws?
What value is embodied in moral norms when examining laws?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the relationship between Eros and Agape in the context of the Two Gardens.
Explain the relationship between Eros and Agape in the context of the Two Gardens.
Signup and view all the answers
How can chastity enhance human interactions and relationships?
How can chastity enhance human interactions and relationships?
Signup and view all the answers
What does cultivating a chastity that can be trusted mean?
What does cultivating a chastity that can be trusted mean?
Signup and view all the answers
In what way can chastity act as a guiding force in the power dynamics of sexuality?
In what way can chastity act as a guiding force in the power dynamics of sexuality?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the potential negative outcomes of repressing sexual energy in relationships?
What are the potential negative outcomes of repressing sexual energy in relationships?
Signup and view all the answers
How might the Christian virtue of chastity serve as a prophetic stance in today's society?
How might the Christian virtue of chastity serve as a prophetic stance in today's society?
Signup and view all the answers
What signifies the 'Dark Night of the Soul' in spiritual terms?
What signifies the 'Dark Night of the Soul' in spiritual terms?
Signup and view all the answers
Identify and explain one of the three spirits that may visit during the Dark Night.
Identify and explain one of the three spirits that may visit during the Dark Night.
Signup and view all the answers
List and briefly describe two major movements that occur during the Dark Night.
List and briefly describe two major movements that occur during the Dark Night.
Signup and view all the answers
What does the term 'oscura' signify in the context of the Dark Night?
What does the term 'oscura' signify in the context of the Dark Night?
Signup and view all the answers
What does Wu-Wei teach about action versus non-action in the Taoist tradition?
What does Wu-Wei teach about action versus non-action in the Taoist tradition?
Signup and view all the answers
How does faith relate to the understanding of God’s will in both Taoism and Christianity?
How does faith relate to the understanding of God’s will in both Taoism and Christianity?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by 'forgiveness is the end point in life' according to Wilkie Au?
What is meant by 'forgiveness is the end point in life' according to Wilkie Au?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Au define blessing and its significance in holistic Christian spirituality?
How does Au define blessing and its significance in holistic Christian spirituality?
Signup and view all the answers
What is contemplation in the Christian tradition, as explained in the content?
What is contemplation in the Christian tradition, as explained in the content?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe the first movement of the spiritual life according to Henri Nouwen.
Describe the first movement of the spiritual life according to Henri Nouwen.
Signup and view all the answers
What does the transition from hostility to hospitality involve in Christian practice?
What does the transition from hostility to hospitality involve in Christian practice?
Signup and view all the answers
How does the illusion in spiritual life manifest according to Nouwen?
How does the illusion in spiritual life manifest according to Nouwen?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the role of prayer in Nouwen's model of spiritual life?
What is the role of prayer in Nouwen's model of spiritual life?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the relationship between physical solitude and solitude of the heart.
Explain the relationship between physical solitude and solitude of the heart.
Signup and view all the answers
What is Christian hospitality and its components?
What is Christian hospitality and its components?
Signup and view all the answers
Define the 'Illusion' as described in Nouwen's teachings.
Define the 'Illusion' as described in Nouwen's teachings.
Signup and view all the answers
How do poverty of mind and poverty of heart contribute to Christian spirituality?
How do poverty of mind and poverty of heart contribute to Christian spirituality?
Signup and view all the answers
How does Nouwen’s model relate to the Twofold Commandment to Love?
How does Nouwen’s model relate to the Twofold Commandment to Love?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'God’s will' refer to, and how is it connected to Christian obedience?
What does 'God’s will' refer to, and how is it connected to Christian obedience?
Signup and view all the answers
In what way did Jesus exhibit obedience in his humanity?
In what way did Jesus exhibit obedience in his humanity?
Signup and view all the answers
How do autonomy and obedience interact in a Christian context?
How do autonomy and obedience interact in a Christian context?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the relationship between gratitude and service in the Christian faith?
What is the relationship between gratitude and service in the Christian faith?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the Spiritual Exercises and their purpose?
What are the Spiritual Exercises and their purpose?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the meaning of gratitude as the 'echo of grace.'
Explain the meaning of gratitude as the 'echo of grace.'
Signup and view all the answers
What is the Ignatian Examen and its purpose?
What is the Ignatian Examen and its purpose?
Signup and view all the answers
What does discernment of spirits involve?
What does discernment of spirits involve?
Signup and view all the answers
Describe the concepts of consolation and desolation in the context of discernment.
Describe the concepts of consolation and desolation in the context of discernment.
Signup and view all the answers
What are the 'Three Times' of discernment according to Ignatius?
What are the 'Three Times' of discernment according to Ignatius?
Signup and view all the answers
How do desires relate to discernment in spiritual contexts?
How do desires relate to discernment in spiritual contexts?
Signup and view all the answers
How does discernment differ between the Purgative Way and the Illuminative Way?
How does discernment differ between the Purgative Way and the Illuminative Way?
Signup and view all the answers
What is meant by 'the heart of obedience' in the context of the family of God?
What is meant by 'the heart of obedience' in the context of the family of God?
Signup and view all the answers
How can gratitude influence a person's actions?
How can gratitude influence a person's actions?
Signup and view all the answers
Explain the role of reflective practice in the Ignatian tradition.
Explain the role of reflective practice in the Ignatian tradition.
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Felt Knowledge and Spiritual Awareness
- Sentir: A pervasive, deep, affective awareness and felt knowledge of God's graces, transcending rational understanding. It results from the unification of intellect, feeling, and action, encompassing the entirety of the self.
Poverty of Spirit and Ignatian Indifference
- Poverty of Spirit: Total dependence on God for happiness and fulfillment, relying on God for needs.
- Ignatian Indifference: Indifference to created things (health, wealth, honor, long life), focusing on dependence on God above all else.
Stages of the Christian Spiritual Journey
- Purgation: Recognizing and letting go of things that distance from God and others, including temptations and sin.
- Illumination: Deepening understanding of the Paschal Mystery (Jesus' life, death, and resurrection), fostering friendship with Christ.
- Union (Contemplation): Achieving union with God, others, Christ, and all creation, becoming one with God.
Wilkie Au's Model
- Holistic Christian Spirituality is Incarnational: Recognizing God's presence in all creation, encompassing the physical world, and encouraging engagement with the whole being (mind, body, and spirit) in all aspects of life, mirroring Jesus' example.
Evangelical Counsels
- Poverty: Deeper connection with God through detachment.
- Chastity: Utilizing sexuality as a gift, focusing on intimacy and others.
- Obedience: Obedience to true self and promptings of the spirit, listening to God's word.
Introjection and Inordinate Attachments
- Introjection: Taking in others' ideas, particularly from authority figures, and integrating them into one's own beliefs.
- Inordinate Attachments: Things distracting from God, preventing closeness, considered a spiritual flaw. Examples include people, places, and possessions.
Wu-Wei and Christian Parallels
- Wu-Wei: Taoist concept of the path of least resistance, aligning with God's will rather than forcing things.
- Christian Parallel: Releasing ego, trusting in something greater than oneself, having faith in God's plan.
Imagination and Prayer/Discernment
- Imagination as a tool for prayer and discernment: Using daydreams, scenarios, and understanding feelings to follow desires, discern feelings after imaginative scenarios.
Forgiveness and Blessing
- Forgiveness as "Endpoint" in Life (Au): God forgives at the end of life; recognizing mistakes as lessons for growth closer to God and accepting His grace.
- Au's Definition of Blessing: Contemplation as the fundamental level of being in union with God, self, and others, which aligns with holistic Christian spirituality.
Contemplation
- Fundamental Contemplation: Being one with God, self, and others.
- Different Understandings: Acknowledging God's presence in all things (sacramentality).
Henri Nouwen's Three Movements
-
- Loneliness to Solitude: Choosing solitude for spiritual renewal; loneliness is disconnection. Solitude for prayer, scripture study, worship, emotion processing, refocusing.
-
- Hostility to Hospitality: Opening oneself to strangers, becoming more welcoming; a constant striving towards hospitality.
-
- Illusion to Prayer: Recognizing the illusion of our existence through unmasking the false self, seeking intimate relationship with God. Identifying symptoms of illusion (sentimentality and violence).
Poverty of Mind and Heart
- Poverty of Mind: Recognizing life's mystery; releasing attachment to thoughts, allowing others to share and feel, recognizing incomprehensibility of the mystery of life; understanding self-insufficiency and turning to God.
- Poverty of Heart: Openness towards God and others, creating interdependence, room for others, hospitality.
Christian Hospitality
- Receptivity + Confrontation: Open hearts for strangers, confronting hostility within.
Christian Obedience
- Characteristics of Mature Obedience: Acknowledging God’s love, joyfully accepting the familial relationship with God, humbly expressing gratitude through service.
- God's Will: God's plan and commands, aligning actions with it.
- Jesus' Obedience: Retained identity and freedom while maintaining unwavering obedience to God.
Gratitude and Service
- Gratitude as an Echo of Grace: Feeling gratitude when encountering God's love and desiring to serve others.
Spiritual Exercises
- Structure & Purpose: Transformation, contemplative awareness of reality; union with God and others, interior and exterior experience (reaching out to others)
Discernment of Spirits
- Holistic Discernment: Attentiveness to God's messages; distinguishing consolation and desolation, decision-making with God.
- Consolation and Desolation: Consolation (God's presence), virtues, Fruits of the Spirit; Desolation (God's absence), away from God, works of the flesh.
- Ignatius' Three Times of Discernment: Balances reason and affectivity, caution needed for overwhelming consolations. Affectivity (spiritual movement). Reason (pros and cons).
- Desires & Discernment: Distinguishing true desires and superficial desires.
Discernment & Spiritual Ways
- Purgative vs. Illuminative vs. Unitive Ways: Purgation (letting go), Illumination (Christ connection), Union (deeper relationship with Christ).
- Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity.
Fruits of the Spirit and Works of the Flesh
- Fruits of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience (comfort, guidance).
- Works of the Flesh: Self-indulgence, irresponsibility, jealousy (conflict, separation)
Spirituality and Sexuality
- Moral Norms and Values: Identify the value embodied by a law or moral norm.
- Two Gardens: Eros and Agape: Erotic Garden (before Fall), pure Eros, unity; Garden of Eden (after Fall), Eros ordered by Agape, shame.
- Eros vs. Eroticism: Eros (desire for another for their own sake, seeking union); Eroticism (filling personal needs.)
- Chastity's Role: Respect in relationships, showing trust, imitation of Christ.
- Sexuality as Relational Power: Chastity directs and tempers this relational power, fostering decision-making and goals.
Dark Night of the Soul
- Dark Night: Obscure spiritual experience (oscura), loss (tinieblas).
- Signs of Dark Night: Dryness and impotence in prayer; diminished consolation; lack of desire.
- Three Visiting Spirits: Fornication (idolatry), Blasphemy (rage against God), Vertiginis (scruples).
- Movements of the Dark Night: Initial loss, purification, self-deception, desolation, spiritual awakening.
- God as “Nada”: Deeply apophatic, experiencing God's absence.
- Fruits of Dark Night: Liberation from attachments, vulnerability, kenosis.
Centering Prayer
- Purpose and Process: Detached attitude, presence with God, letting go of distractions, deepening relationship.
- Thoughts & Sacred Word: Use sacred word to let go of thoughts, be present.
- Four "R's": Resist, retain, react, return.
Non-Duality and Active Kenosis
- Non-duality: No separation between observer and observed.
- Subject-Object Dualism: Clear distinction between self and world.
- Active Kenosis: Emptying oneself to create space for God (Philippians 2:5-11).
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
This quiz explores significant themes in Christian spirituality, including the concept of felt knowledge, the stages of the spiritual journey, and the role of practices like Centering Prayer. It also discusses aspects such as poverty of spirit, obedience, and the implications of Kenosis. Test your understanding of these vital spiritual concepts and their applications.