News From New Mexico

A monthly newsletter from the Center for Action and Contemplation

CAC Founder Richard Rohr and CAC Executive Director Michael Poffenberger discuss Richard’s transition

Father Richard Rohr founded the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in October of 1987. Envisioning a “school for prophets” at the intersection of praxis and prayer, he created the CAC to be an educational nonprofit that introduces spiritual seekers to the Christian contemplative path of transformation. Since then, his vision, teachings, and partnerships have propelled CAC programs and inspired a movement for contemplative spiritual renewal.

However, at this stage in his life, Richard’s desire is to create space for the rest of us to step in and carry his work forward into the future. For several years, he has been engaged with CAC leadership in a gradual process of stepping back from active duties. 

In this video, CAC Founder Richard Rohr and CAC Executive Director Michael Poffenberger talk about the ongoing transition and living our mission of action and contemplation forward into the future.

Watch the video. 

The Center for Action and Contemplation, its Core Faculty, and Board of Directors invite you to accompany us on this journey of transformation as we do the challenging work of reclaiming our founder’s vision for action and contemplation in a time of global change and contemplative renewal.

Returning to the Center will be an opportunity to reflect together with our community on our discoveries and growing pains as an institution on the path of praxis and prayer, action and contemplation. You will find the latest posts on our  website.

Begin Your Wisdom Journey with the online Introductory Wisdom School

Cynthia Bourgeault transformed my way of thinking—a boundless God who is all-loving and merciful. That led me to a flood of inner peace and gratitude.
—Ed P., CAC Community Member

Deepen your sense of God, self, and others — and discover unexpected ways contemplation can transform your life — in the Introductory Wisdom School, a 14-week online course exploring the Christian Wisdom way of knowing with Cynthia Bourgeault. Cynthia blends teaching with contemplative practices to help students engage in their conscious work on an embodied level — aligning the mind, body, and heart — to develop the skills, knowledge, and actions for self-transformation.

Learning Objectives:

• Cultivate a Wisdom rhythm in your daily life through reflection and engagement with contemplative practices and teachings.
• Expand your awareness of the Christian Wisdom path and its relevance to our realities today.
• Develop a contemplative practice to engage and embody these teachings
• Connect and learn with other spiritual seekers.

Register today for Introductory Wisdom School!
Time Commitment: 2–4 hours each week
Registration closes Feb. 7, 2023
Apply for Financial Assistance by Jan. 31, 2023
Course Begins: Feb. 15, 2023

Join Us for an Exploration of Grief and Hope with the New Daily Meditations Theme

The prophetic path is a message with transforming power that is not only for ancient times, but for our times as well. —Mark Longhurst, CAC Staff Member

In January the Daily Meditations began exploring grief, hope, compassion, and solidarity with the suffering of the world in the 2023 theme: The Prophetic Path. When Father Richard Rohr founded the Center for Action and Contemplation in 1987, he envisioned a “school for prophets,” a place where the contemplative mind and action for justice are interwoven. In that spirit, The Prophetic Path invites us to face reality for what it is — and together we will weep, grieve, hope, heal, and stand in solidarity with the suffering of the world.

You may be wondering—what is the process of envisioning and curating the theme of the Daily Meditations? Mark Longhurst, Managing Editor of Richard Rohr’s Daily Meditations, shares his insights on how the team arrived at the new theme for 2023, writing: “The witness of the biblical prophets is something that has been central to Father Richard Rohr’s teaching for many years.”

Look behind the scenes at the process of selecting a Daily Meditations theme. Read the rest of Mark’s article online!

Discover Prayers of Hope and Renewal: A Spring Within Us by Richard Rohr

What would you like to welcome into your life this year? If you are looking for deeper reflection to begin the year, we invite you to explore the updated book of Richard Rohr’s 2014 Daily Meditations, A Spring Within Us, now available on the CAC bookstore. Following the arc of life from innocence, through inevitable brokenness, to putting ourselves back together, this collection of daily reflections invites you to journey deeper into union with self, God, others, and the world.

Pick up your copy of A Spring Within Us at the CAC bookstore!

The CAC is an educational nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen compassionate engagement in the world. When you purchase this or any other book from our online bookstore you help us to introduce seekers from around the world to the contemplative Christian path of transformation.

Registration is Now Open for Immortal Diamond − An Online Course with Richard Rohr

Life is not a matter of creating a special name for ourselves, but of uncovering the name we have always had. —Richard Rohr

 Who are you—the real you hidden under the trappings of ego and separate self? Join spiritual seekers around the world for Immortal Diamond, 10-week online course exploring the True Self and the False Self (separate self), based on Richard Rohr’s book, Immortal Diamond. Learn to “die before we die” and discover how the promise of resurrection is true for each of us—right now.
 

Learning Objectives:

• Discover a vision of your True Self through reading, reflection, and engagement.
• Deepen your enjoyment of divine friendship by opening spaces for God’s love and life to flow through you.
• Develop contemplative practices to form the alternative consciousness on the path toward spiritual maturity.
• Connect and learn with other spiritual seekers

Enroll Now for Immortal Diamond!
Time Commitment: 2–4 hours a week
Registration Ends: Feb. 28, 2023
Apply for Financial Assistance by Feb. 21, 2023
Course Begins: Mar. 8, 2023

The Latest Issue of   ONEING  explores Steps for a Nonviolent Future

Nonviolence is mighty because it is fueled by solidarity and creativity rather than hatred and violence. —Maria J. Stephan

How effective is nonviolent resistance in resolving conflict? The newest issue of ONEING: Nonviolencechallenges readers to see nonviolence not only as an idealistic alternative for social change, but a personal conviction applicable to every human interaction. Journey deeper into what it means to embody loving action in every aspect of our lives in this powerful new issue of ONEING.

Established in 2013, ONEING is the biannual journal of the Center for Action and Contemplation. Renowned for its diverse and deep exploration of mysticism and culture, ONEING is grounded in Richard Rohr’s teachings and wisdom lineage. Each issue features a themed collection of thoughtfully curated essays and critical perspectives from spiritual teachers, activists, modern mystics, and prophets of all religions.

ONEING: Nonviolence is now available in print or digital download. Order your copy from the CAC Online Bookstore today!

CAC is Hiring: Community Engagement Representative

The Center for Action and Contemplation exists to awaken a more loving world through the teaching and practice of the Christian contemplative traditions. We are looking for a Community Engagement Representative to join our mission-aligned staff to resolve a fluctuating volume of calls and emails and help troubleshoot issues in real-time. The right candidate is eager to provide extraordinary support to our community. Grow with a team that values your work in an intentionally collaborative environment.

Interested in one of these positions or know someone who would be a good fit?  Apply today or help us spread the word!