Podcast appearances and mentions of Barbara A Holmes

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 +0000 https://seesee.podigee.io/s2e7-barbara-holmes ece420c2bac5a440baf327171e3ef3b0 Whether from a religious, theological, philosophical, cultural, or a scientific perspective, the view of unity based on the commonality of the divine nature within and shared by all human beings is echoing a universal awareness. In this episode Rev. Barbara A. Holmes, addresses Western cultural complexities of “race” and ethnicity through the lenses of physics and cosmology and the barriers constructed by modern culture that prevent us from understanding and speaking a language of unity. She reminds us how movement is not antithetical of contemplation but rather an evoking force of motion. In this episode you will learn about public theology, the despair sang of the Blues, the significance of the improvisational and spontaneous character of jazz, and its secular insubordination. We invite you to listen her talk about the importance of elderly wisdom and the relevance of storytelling on individual and collective identity, as well as the role of Africanism in today's life cultural and artistic expressions and how dance bounds us all with the cosmic. Barbara A. Holmes is a spiritual teacher, activist, and scholar focused on African American spirituality, mysticism, cosmology, and culture. She is President Emerita of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of Memphis Theological Seminary and was ordained in the Latter Rain Apostolic Holiness Church in Dallas, Texas as well as by the Disciples of Christ Christian Church. LINKS & INFO: Barbara A. Holmes: https://www.drbarbaraholmes.com/bio 12-Minute Meditation with Dr. Barbara Holmes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGU8QusRjD0 Experiencing God in the Thin Places with Barbara Holmes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVkXNjj7YNI The Cosmic We — Podcast Series by Barbara Holmes: https://cac.org/podcast/the-cosmic-we Crisis Contemplation: https://www.drbarbaraholmes.com/books Find out more about the See See Podcast on our website: https://seeseepodcast.com Connect with us! https://linktr.ee/seeseebyceci 2 7 full no Dr. Cecilia Ponce Rivera

Interview with Bethany Bender, a member of the Circle of Hope community, on her experience living with long COVID. Bethany details her long-lasting symptoms after getting sick with COVID-19, her experiences not being believed by doctors, and other ways her life has changed in the past two and a half years. It is an important conversation for all to hear. Later in the episode, a little Spiritual Show and Tell: On Repentance and Repair by Danya Ruttenberg, Daily Prayers by our friend Andrew, and Crisis Contemplation by Barbara A. Holmes. //Notes// - Interview with Bethany Bender - “Unrest” https://www.netflix.com/title/80168300 - Spiritual Show and Tell - On Repentance and Repair by Danya Ruttenberg https://www.amazon.com/Repentance-Repair-Making-Amends-Unapologetic/dp/0807010510 Prayers on Andrew Yang's songs: https://www.circleofhope.net/dailyprayerdeeper/category/andrew-yangs-songs/ Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village by Barbara A. Holmes https://www.amazon.com/Crisis-Contemplation-Healing-Wounded-Village/dp/1623050553 //About this Podcast// Resist and Restore is a podcast by Circle of Hope. We're extending the table of our dialogue! Tune in bi-weekly as the Circle of Hope pastors—Rachel, Julie, and Jonny—sit down to dialogue about faith, God, Jesus, the spiritual life, and everything in between. Available on Spotify, iTunes/Apple Music, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more. //Contact Us// Website: https://circleofhope.church Email: ResistandRestorePodcast@circleofhope.net IG/TW: @circleofhopenet YouTube: https://youtube.com/circleofhope FB: https://fb.me/CircleofHopePhillyRegion Help keep the show running! Contribute at: https://circleofhope.church/share

“The times are urgent; let us slow down.” — Traditional African wisdom saying Worship this morning will invite us to slow down; this worship series is rooted in Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village by Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Holmes. Worship online with thetable.live. CCLI #805699 / CCLI Streaming #094804

“The times are urgent; let us slow down.” — Traditional African wisdom saying Worship this morning will invite us to slow down and become aware of the healing power which comes from God and the beloved community; this worship series is rooted in Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village by Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Holmes. Worship online with thetable.live. CCLI #805699 / CCLI Streaming #094804

“The times are urgent; let us slow down.”
 — Traditional African wisdom saying Worship this morning will invite us to slow down and become aware of the wounds of our community; this worship series is rooted in Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village by Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Holmes. Worship online with thetable.live. CCLI #805699 / CCLI Streaming #094804

“The times are urgent; let us slow down.” — Traditional African wisdom saying Worship this morning will invite us to slow down; this worship series is rooted in Crisis Contemplation: Healing the Wounded Village by Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Holmes. Worship online with thetable.live. CCLI #805699 / CCLI Streaming #094804

Claudia Love Mair and Christine Valters Paintner have a conversation about Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church by Barbara A. Holmes. Joy Unspeakable focuses on the aspects of the Black church that point beyond particular congregational gatherings toward a mystical and communal spirituality not within the exclusive domain of any denomination.

We are tasked with teaching while being under siege. We are teaching persons who are living under siege. This inspirational conversation frames the need for teachers to learn communal strategies of survival which may have been previously abandoned or never learned. Learning to leap away from conformity might require teaching as the act of dreamers, conjurers, time travelers, and pilgrims. What if the vision for a new paradigm of education espoused education for everyone? What does it mean to teach what we do not know but what we have glimpsed? How do we keep job obligations from dampening our teaching and truncating our imaginations? How do we push through the fear to risk new paradigms for communal teaching?  

Sancta Colloquia Episode 403 ft. Lisa Colόn Delay In this episode I had the honor of speaking with Lisa Colόn DeLay (@LisaDelay) about her book, The Wild Land Within, which was published this past spring. While our conversation is based on the contents of her book, Lisa's wealth of knowledge and grasp of both theology and the pastoral brings us to weave and wend throughout many of life's struggles and blessings. Lisa brings so much love and grace to this conversation, it was a joy to talk with this new friend. Lisa is also very passionate about human beings. This passion is not only communicated in this conversation with me, but is on every page of her text. She loves you and wants you to know it. One of the unique things I want to draw attention to here is that Lisa's text is many parts Spiritual and Practical in its application of theology and pastoral guidance, but the underlying strength of the text is her interlocutors. She's not relying on the standard Eurocentric white male theologians many of us have been trained to revere and frequently reference--if they didn't say it, then how dare you say it?! Lisa participates in dismantling this septic trend and in overturning the status quo through her conversations with profound scholars like: George Tinker, Barbara A. Holmes, James H. Cone, Wilda C. Garnet, Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, Howard Thurman, Ibram Kendi, Phuc Luu, Gustavo Gutierrez, and Evagrius Ponticus (345-400 CE). It was such an honor to talk with Lisa, I hope you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. Excited? You should be.

David Bailey, Ashlee Eiland, and Drew Jackson reflect on the previous episode with Dr Barbara A Holmes. From their experience in the black church—and moving through life in black bodies—they explored Dr Holmes' vision of the universal moan and invited us all to participate in appropriate ways. A beautiful and stretching conversation with three incredible guides.

Scriptures (NIV): Deuteronomy 15:1, 4, 7-8, 12-14, Matthew 18:22​, Luke 4:18​-19, Luke 4:14​, Matthew 14:22​-23 Additional Resources: Jubilee USA Network, Scott Peck - Stage Theory, Brian Swimme, Joy Unspeakable by Barbara A. Holmes, The Joy Diet by Martha Beck,www.thecontemplativelife.net/retreatsNotes & Reflections: Towards a Life of Social Justice:From Eric Le Compte, Executive Director of Jubille USA Netowrk:- Prayer- Community- CelebrationTowards a Life of Social Justice cont:- Engage in meditation & contemplative practices.- Hold space for one another- Resist the urge to compare yourself to others.- Persist towards a future that cannot yet be seen.

Spiritual teacher, activist, and scholar Dr Barbara A. Holmes unpacks her game-changing book Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church. She gently and brilliantly invites us to move beyond a Eurocentric imagination and into the deeper Christian stream that connect us all. 

On this episode, Nani talks to Hailey Mitsui about being a mystic, post evangelicalism and how it can feel similar to awakening to issues of white privilege. They touch on integration practices and how we can incorporate our past selves into our current selves. Haley makes recommendations of diversified contemplative teachers: Barbara A. Holmes, Howard Thurman and Cynthia Bourgeault. Find more at www.woowooshit.com and www.patreon.com/woowooshit

Happy Birthday, Encountering Silence! This week marks the two-year anniversary of our first episode (listen to it here). To mark the occasion, we recorded a few thoughts about how the podcast has surprised us and expanded our own sense of both the beauty and power of silence — and the challenges that silence faces in our noisy and wounded world. Silence is the meeting place for knowing what we have to say when it's time to speak up and speak out. — Cassidy Hall Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Mary Oliver, New and Selected Poems, Volume Two (includes "Everything") Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out. Barbara A. Holmes, Joy Unspeakable Therese Taylor-Stinson, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around — Stories of Contemplation and Justice Rebecca Bratten Weiss (with Joanna Penn Copper), Mudwoman Kathleen Norris, The Cloister Walk Cynthia Bourgeault, The Heart of Centering Prayer Lerita Coleman Brown, When the Heart Speaks, Listen Mary Margaret Funk, Renouncing Violence James Finley, The Contemplative Heart John Cage, Silence: Lectures and Writings Parker J. Palmer, A Hidden Wholeness James Martin, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything Carrie Newcomer, The Beautiful Not Yet: Poems, Essays and Lyrics Helen E. Lees, Silence in Schools Silence is so beautiful that we have to speak out against its abuse. — Carl McColman Episode 82: Happy Birthday, Encountering Silence Hosted by: Carl McColman With: Cassidy Hall, Kevin Johnson Date Recorded: November 25, 2019 Words can't capture the fact that silence can hold everything, and somehow hold it in gladness. — Kevin Johnson

Happy Birthday, Encountering Silence! This week marks the two-year anniversary of our first episode (listen to it here). To mark the occasion, we recorded a few thoughts about how the podcast has surprised us and expanded our own sense of both the beauty and power of silence — and the challenges that silence faces in our noisy and wounded world. Silence is the meeting place for knowing what we have to say when it's time to speak up and speak out. — Cassidy Hall Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Mary Oliver, New and Selected Poems, Volume Two (includes "Everything") Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out. Barbara A. Holmes, Joy Unspeakable Therese Taylor-Stinson, Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around — Stories of Contemplation and Justice Rebecca Bratten Weiss (with Joanna Penn Copper), Mudwoman Kathleen Norris, The Cloister Walk Cynthia Bourgeault, The Heart of Centering Prayer Lerita Coleman Brown, When the Heart Speaks, Listen Mary Margaret Funk, Renouncing Violence James Finley, The Contemplative Heart John Cage, Silence: Lectures and Writings Parker J. Palmer, A Hidden Wholeness James Martin, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything Carrie Newcomer, The Beautiful Not Yet: Poems, Essays and Lyrics Helen E. Lees, Silence in Schools Silence is so beautiful that we have to speak out against its abuse. — Carl McColman Episode 82: Happy Birthday, Encountering Silence Hosted by: Carl McColman With: Cassidy Hall, Kevin Johnson Date Recorded: November 25, 2019 Words can't capture the fact that silence can hold everything, and somehow hold it in gladness. — Kevin Johnson

This is part two of a two part episode; to listen to part one, click here. The Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary. He is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading Christian interpreters of the Old Testament and is the author of numerous books, including The Prophetic Imagination, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now, From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets, and his most recent book, Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out. Anybody who is not in touch with the pain of the world probably is not a truth-teller. — Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann Dr. Brueggemann recently joined us via Skype to talk about his understanding of both the challenge and the possibilities associated with silence,  especially the importance of interrupting coercive or repressive silence and the status quo in this world of chaos and oppression. Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination Walter Brueggemann, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now Walter Brueggemann, Celebrating Abundance: Devotions for Advent Walter Brueggemann, A Way Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent Walter Brueggemann, Journey to the Common Good Walter Brueggemann, From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out. Thomas Merton, Dialogues with Silence Barbara A. Holmes, Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church Greta Thunberg, No One is Too Small to Make a Difference Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer Angela Davis, Women, Race and Class Eugene Peterson, The Message Rashi, Commentary on the Torah Episode 80: Silence and the Prophetic Imagination: A Conversation with Walter Brueggemann (Part Two) Hosted by: Cassidy Hall With: Carl McColman, Kevin Johnson Guest: Walter Brueggemann Date Recorded: October 14, 2019

This is part two of a two part episode; to listen to part one, click here. The Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary. He is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading Christian interpreters of the Old Testament and is the author of numerous books, including The Prophetic Imagination, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now, From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets, and his most recent book, Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out. Anybody who is not in touch with the pain of the world probably is not a truth-teller. — Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann Dr. Brueggemann recently joined us via Skype to talk about his understanding of both the challenge and the possibilities associated with silence,  especially the importance of interrupting coercive or repressive silence and the status quo in this world of chaos and oppression. Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination Walter Brueggemann, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now Walter Brueggemann, Celebrating Abundance: Devotions for Advent Walter Brueggemann, A Way Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent Walter Brueggemann, Journey to the Common Good Walter Brueggemann, From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God’s Command to Speak Out. Thomas Merton, Dialogues with Silence Barbara A. Holmes, Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church Greta Thunberg, No One is Too Small to Make a Difference Henri Nouwen, The Wounded Healer Angela Davis, Women, Race and Class Eugene Peterson, The Message Rashi, Commentary on the Torah Episode 80: Silence and the Prophetic Imagination: A Conversation with Walter Brueggemann (Part Two) Hosted by: Cassidy Hall With: Carl McColman, Kevin Johnson Guest: Walter Brueggemann Date Recorded: October 14, 2019

The Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary. He is widely regarded as one of the world's leading Christian interpreters of the Old Testament and is the author of numerous books, including The Prophetic Imagination, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now, From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets, and his most recent book, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. He recently joined us via Skype to talk about his understanding of both the challenge and the possibilities associated with silence,  especially the importance of interrupting coercive or repressive silence and the status quo in this world of chaos and oppression. In his latest book, he writes: "Silence is a complex matter. It can refer to awe before unutterable holiness, but it can also refer to coercion where some voices are silence in the interest of control by the dominant voices.” ― Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. Some other quotations to ponder: “Multitasking is the drive to be more than we are, to control more than we do, to extend our power and our effectiveness. Such practice yields a divided self, with full attention given to nothing.” ―Walter Brueggemann, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now “No establishment figure wants to tolerate affrontive poetry that exposes the failure of the totalizing system and claims it contradicts God’s will.” ― Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. “We have seen in our own day in so many liberation struggles that the first cry for mercy does not succeed. The silencers are powerful and determined. Among us the silencers are the powerful, who have a stake in the status quo and do not mind some poverty-stricken disability, and those who collude with the powerful, often unwittingly. The work of silencing, like that of this crowd, is variously by slogan, by intimidation, by deception, or by restrictive legislation. Emancipation does not succeed most often in a one-shot effort. More is required.” ― Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. This is part one of a two part episode; to listen to part two, click here. Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination Walter Brueggemann, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now Walter Brueggemann, Celebrating Abundance: Devotions for Advent Walter Brueggemann, A Way Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent Walter Brueggemann, Journey to the Common Good Walter Brueggemann, From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. Thomas Merton, Dialogues with Silence Barbara A. Holmes, Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church Episode 79: Silence and the Prophetic Imagination: A Conversation with Walter Brueggemann (Part One) Hosted by: Cassidy Hall With: Carl McColman, Kevin Johnson Guest: Walter Brueggemann Date Recorded: October 14, 2019

The Rev. Dr. Walter Brueggemann is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Columbia Theological Seminary. He is widely regarded as one of the world's leading Christian interpreters of the Old Testament and is the author of numerous books, including The Prophetic Imagination, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now, From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets, and his most recent book, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. He recently joined us via Skype to talk about his understanding of both the challenge and the possibilities associated with silence,  especially the importance of interrupting coercive or repressive silence and the status quo in this world of chaos and oppression. In his latest book, he writes: "Silence is a complex matter. It can refer to awe before unutterable holiness, but it can also refer to coercion where some voices are silence in the interest of control by the dominant voices.” ― Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. Some other quotations to ponder: “Multitasking is the drive to be more than we are, to control more than we do, to extend our power and our effectiveness. Such practice yields a divided self, with full attention given to nothing.” ―Walter Brueggemann, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now “No establishment figure wants to tolerate affrontive poetry that exposes the failure of the totalizing system and claims it contradicts God’s will.” ― Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. “We have seen in our own day in so many liberation struggles that the first cry for mercy does not succeed. The silencers are powerful and determined. Among us the silencers are the powerful, who have a stake in the status quo and do not mind some poverty-stricken disability, and those who collude with the powerful, often unwittingly. The work of silencing, like that of this crowd, is variously by slogan, by intimidation, by deception, or by restrictive legislation. Emancipation does not succeed most often in a one-shot effort. More is required.” ― Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. This is part one of a two part episode; to listen to part two, click here. Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Walter Brueggemann, The Prophetic Imagination Walter Brueggemann, Sabbath as Resistance: Saying No to the Culture of Now Walter Brueggemann, Celebrating Abundance: Devotions for Advent Walter Brueggemann, A Way Other Than Our Own: Devotions for Lent Walter Brueggemann, Journey to the Common Good Walter Brueggemann, From Judgment to Hope: A Study on the Prophets Walter Brueggemann, Interrupting Silence: God's Command to Speak Out. Thomas Merton, Dialogues with Silence Barbara A. Holmes, Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church Episode 79: Silence and the Prophetic Imagination: A Conversation with Walter Brueggemann (Part One) Hosted by: Cassidy Hall With: Carl McColman, Kevin Johnson Guest: Walter Brueggemann Date Recorded: October 14, 2019

For our final episode of 2018 — the first full year of our podcast, which debuted on December 6, 2017 — the three co-hosts of Encountering Silence sat down for a brief chat in which we reflected on the year just past, and shared some hopes for the podcast in the year to come. This time a year ago, we had only released four episodes and had yet to interview our first guest (who would be Patrick Shen, in episode 7). We were still trying to figure this whole podcasting thing out. Kevin had managed to get some grant money for the recording and mixing equipment, and we all split the costs of the website, the URL and the podcasting hosting fees. We were operating on a shoestring, driven by faith and our shared love for silence (and, as we were soon to discover, poetry). This time a year ago we had no idea that we would soon be interviewing a wide array of truly interesting and insightful guests who spoke about silence from a variety of perspectives. (If you're new to the podcast, here's a partial list of the folks we've spoken to over the past year): James Martin, SJ Barbara A. Holmes Richard Rohr, OFM Kathleen Norris Parker J. Palmer Leah Weiss Jim Forest Mirabai Starr Over the course of the year, several themes emerged, some of which we were mindful of when we began the podcast, but others which arose out of the various conversations over the year. Some of those themes included these thoughts: Silence matters; silence is an "endangered species" in our hyper-connected, entertainment-drenched world; silence is essential not only for spiritual well-being but for mental and physical wellness also; silence is essential for creativity; different kinds of people embrace and encounter silence in different ways; not all "silences" are created equal, and not all expressions of silence are good — there is such a thing as "toxic" silence; and the list could go on. After thirteen months, all three of the co-hosts are awed and humbled and amazed at the richness of the conversation, as well as the emerging web of new friendships and connections that we see on social media, as well as in "real life," of people who are drawn to this podcast — and each other — by a shared recognition that silence matters. So — now, where do we go from here? Looking ahead, naturally we are eager to expand the conversation as we invite some new dialogue partners onto the podcast (and perhaps welcome a few of our previous guests back for new episodes). We are eager to explore more deeply both the social dimension of silence (how silence relates to religion, to art, to social justice, and to the problem of social and economic privilege) as well as the personal dimension of silence (how to be more silent in the middle of stress, during times of vulnerability or suffering, and in the midst of life's ordinary chaos). We believe silence makes a difference, and — except for its toxic form, which we would argue is actually a betrayal of true silence) — that difference is universally positive, yielding physical, mental and spiritual benefits. So we also want to talk more about how to spread the "good news" of silence and help others to access silence in both personal and communal ways. It's amazing how such a quiet topic (pardon the pun) can yield such a rich and nuanced conversation. We feel like the conversation is just getting started. Please stay tuned — we value your companionship as we make this journey, deeper and deeper into the mystery of silence! Finally, one last point to observe about both the year just ended and the year to come. As of this writing, 42 people have committed to support the podcast financially through a monthly pledge on Patreon (we've had several other donors make one-time contributions as well). All three of us find it's awkward to ask for money,

For our final episode of 2018 — the first full year of our podcast, which debuted on December 6, 2017 — the three co-hosts of Encountering Silence sat down for a brief chat in which we reflected on the year just past, and shared some hopes for the podcast in the year to come. This time a year ago, we had only released four episodes and had yet to interview our first guest (who would be Patrick Shen, in episode 7). We were still trying to figure this whole podcasting thing out. Kevin had managed to get some grant money for the recording and mixing equipment, and we all split the costs of the website, the URL and the podcasting hosting fees. We were operating on a shoestring, driven by faith and our shared love for silence (and, as we were soon to discover, poetry). This time a year ago we had no idea that we would soon be interviewing a wide array of truly interesting and insightful guests who spoke about silence from a variety of perspectives. (If you're new to the podcast, here's a partial list of the folks we've spoken to over the past year): James Martin, SJ Barbara A. Holmes Richard Rohr, OFM Kathleen Norris Parker J. Palmer Leah Weiss Jim Forest Mirabai Starr Over the course of the year, several themes emerged, some of which we were mindful of when we began the podcast, but others which arose out of the various conversations over the year. Some of those themes included these thoughts: Silence matters; silence is an "endangered species" in our hyper-connected, entertainment-drenched world; silence is essential not only for spiritual well-being but for mental and physical wellness also; silence is essential for creativity; different kinds of people embrace and encounter silence in different ways; not all "silences" are created equal, and not all expressions of silence are good — there is such a thing as "toxic" silence; and the list could go on. After thirteen months, all three of the co-hosts are awed and humbled and amazed at the richness of the conversation, as well as the emerging web of new friendships and connections that we see on social media, as well as in "real life," of people who are drawn to this podcast — and each other — by a shared recognition that silence matters. So — now, where do we go from here? Looking ahead, naturally we are eager to expand the conversation as we invite some new dialogue partners onto the podcast (and perhaps welcome a few of our previous guests back for new episodes). We are eager to explore more deeply both the social dimension of silence (how silence relates to religion, to art, to social justice, and to the problem of social and economic privilege) as well as the personal dimension of silence (how to be more silent in the middle of stress, during times of vulnerability or suffering, and in the midst of life's ordinary chaos). We believe silence makes a difference, and — except for its toxic form, which we would argue is actually a betrayal of true silence) — that difference is universally positive, yielding physical, mental and spiritual benefits. So we also want to talk more about how to spread the "good news" of silence and help others to access silence in both personal and communal ways. It's amazing how such a quiet topic (pardon the pun) can yield such a rich and nuanced conversation. We feel like the conversation is just getting started. Please stay tuned — we value your companionship as we make this journey, deeper and deeper into the mystery of silence! Finally, one last point to observe about both the year just ended and the year to come. As of this writing, 42 people have committed to support the podcast financially through a monthly pledge on Patreon (we've had several other donors make one-time contributions as well). All three of us find it's awkward to ask for money, but podcasting is both a time-intensive task and a form of media based on free access — anyone can listen for free (and we like it that way),

Our good friend Phileena Heuertz is back with a new book, Mindful Silence! She joins us to talk about centering prayer and the role that things like solitude, silence, and stillness play in our callings to social action.Things we mention in this episode/other resources:- Phileena’s last appearance on CXMH: episode 51 - Pilgrimage of a Soul- Obviously, the book we talk about in this episode! Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation- MindfulSilence.org, where you can learn all about the book.- Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church (2nd edition) by Barbara A. Holmes- Insight Timer, a meditation app (we have a CXMH group within Insight Timer, search for it and join us!)Connect with Phileena on her website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Or buy her books on Amazon!Quotes:- “Contemplative spirituality is anything that helps us wake up and see more clearly who we are and who God is.” (tweet)- “The capacity to see and to know who we are is fundamental to the Christian experience.” (tweet)- “How many of us are really living into the reality of being a child of the divine? Someone with divine DNA?” (tweet)- “Contemplative prayer & social action must go hand in hand for effective social change.” (tweet)- “As we give ourselves to contemplative prayer we grow in discernment, hearing ‘this is yours to do, this is not.’” (tweet)- “We don’t practice presence very well.” (tweet)Connect with Robert on his website, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.Connect with Holly on her website or Twitter.Connect more with CXMH on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest.Ways to support CXMH:- make a pledge on Patreon and get rewards like an exclusive Facebook group, a mug, sticker, t-shirt, or more!- give a one-time gift using PayPal- Do your Amazon shopping through this link- Leave us a rating & review on iTunes or Google Play- Check out our CXMH merchandise to show off your support- Listen to the Cxmhunity Spotify playlist here- Check out other episodes and find your favorites guests on our website.Intro/Outro music for this episode is ‘Fall Down’ by Rivers & Robots.

How does the encounter with silence usher us into mystery? And how is our relationship with silence shaped by, or challenged by, the challenges and dynamics of social difference and privilege? What is the relationship between contemplation and community, and how is community actually essential to authentic contemplation? How are tears, and moaning, and dancing, and lament, essential to contemplation — especially among those persons and communities who experience oppression? “Silence has power, positively, it’s life-giving... and it also can be a hiding place for people of the dominant culture.” — Dr. Barbara A. Holmes These are just a few of the questions we explore in today’s episode, a conversation with scholar and contemplative the Reverend Dr. Barbara A. Holmes. Dr. Holmes is the author of Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church, and has emerged as a leading voice calling for affirming and celebrating contemplation as it emerges in the lives of all people, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or religious affiliation. “The women in my family were the ones who really seeded contemplation into my very being. I watched them — I saw that mysticism didn’t have to be weird. It was very weird, but you could still make biscuits! You didn’t have to go berserk; you could do your normal life, be loving,  kind, help others, and still host these magical moments, wondrous moments, awe-inducing moments, and still do ordinary things like meet your kids at the stop on the school bus.” — Dr. Barbara A. Holmes Her thoughtful and insightful reflection on silence and contemplation is grounded in her family of origin — coming from the Gullah people of the SC/GA low country — and her work which explores the intersection between spirituality, stillness, and social justice. “Silence isn’t the word that I often use. Just simply because of the problem for people of color, and women, who have been silenced... I tend to use the language of stillness, of centering, and of embodied ineffability.” — Dr. Barbara A. Holmes Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Barbara A. Holmes, Joy Unspeakable Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos Barbara A. Holmes, Dreaming Audre Lorde, Your Silence Will Not Protect You Jane Elliott, A Collar in My Pocket: The Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander Thomas Merton, Echoing Silence Margaret Barker, Temple Mysticism The Desert Mothers and Fathers, Early Christian Wisdom Sayings Janet McKenzie, Holiness and the Feminine Spirit: The Art of Janet McKenzie Matthew Fox, Creativity Beyoncé, Dangerously in Love Kendrick Lamar, Revolution Music John Coltrane, A Love Supreme Jimi Hendrix, The Best of Jimi Hendrix: Experience Hendrix Taizé, Chants for Peace and Serenity June Jordan, Directed by Desire: The Collected Poems of June Jordan John Stewart Bell, Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics James A. Noel, “Being, Nothingness and the Signification of Silence in African-American Religious Consciousness” in Black Religion and the Imagination of Matter in the Atlantic World Stacy M. Floyd-Thomas, Deeper Shades of Purple: Womanism in Religion and Society Kelly Brown Douglas, Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist Perspective Katie Cannon, Black Womanist Ethics Howard Thurman, Essential Writings Barbara Ransby, Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement  “The willingness to listen, on both sides, is the beginning of reconciliation.” — Dr. Barbara A. Holmes Episode 26: Silence as Unspeakable Joy: A Conversation with Dr. Barbara A. Holmes Hosted by: Cassidy Hall With: Kevin Johnson,

How does the encounter with silence usher us into mystery? And how is our relationship with silence shaped by, or challenged by, the challenges and dynamics of social difference and privilege? What is the relationship between contemplation and community, and how is community actually essential to authentic contemplation? How are tears, and moaning, and dancing, and lament, essential to contemplation — especially among those persons and communities who experience oppression? “Silence has power, positively, it’s life-giving... and it also can be a hiding place for people of the dominant culture.” — Dr. Barbara A. Holmes These are just a few of the questions we explore in today’s episode, a conversation with scholar and contemplative the Reverend Dr. Barbara A. Holmes. Dr. Holmes is the author of Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church, and has emerged as a leading voice calling for affirming and celebrating contemplation as it emerges in the lives of all people, regardless of ethnicity, gender, or religious affiliation. “The women in my family were the ones who really seeded contemplation into my very being. I watched them — I saw that mysticism didn’t have to be weird. It was very weird, but you could still make biscuits! You didn’t have to go berserk; you could do your normal life, be loving,  kind, help others, and still host these magical moments, wondrous moments, awe-inducing moments, and still do ordinary things like meet your kids at the stop on the school bus.” — Dr. Barbara A. Holmes Her thoughtful and insightful reflection on silence and contemplation is grounded in her family of origin — coming from the Gullah people of the SC/GA low country — and her work which explores the intersection between spirituality, stillness, and social justice. “Silence isn’t the word that I often use. Just simply because of the problem for people of color, and women, who have been silenced... I tend to use the language of stillness, of centering, and of embodied ineffability.” — Dr. Barbara A. Holmes Some of the resources and authors we mention in this episode: Barbara A. Holmes, Joy Unspeakable Barbara A. Holmes, Race and the Cosmos Barbara A. Holmes, Dreaming Audre Lorde, Your Silence Will Not Protect You Jane Elliott, A Collar in My Pocket: The Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes Exercise Thomas Merton, Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander Thomas Merton, Echoing Silence Margaret Barker, Temple Mysticism The Desert Mothers and Fathers, Early Christian Wisdom Sayings Janet McKenzie, Holiness and the Feminine Spirit: The Art of Janet McKenzie Matthew Fox, Creativity Beyoncé, Dangerously in Love Kendrick Lamar, Revolution Music John Coltrane, A Love Supreme Jimi Hendrix, The Best of Jimi Hendrix: Experience Hendrix Taizé, Chants for Peace and Serenity June Jordan, Directed by Desire: The Collected Poems of June Jordan John Stewart Bell, Speakable and Unspeakable in Quantum Mechanics James A. Noel, “Being, Nothingness and the Signification of Silence in African-American Religious Consciousness” in Black Religion and the Imagination of Matter in the Atlantic World Stacy M. Floyd-Thomas, Deeper Shades of Purple: Womanism in Religion and Society Kelly Brown Douglas, Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist Perspective Katie Cannon, Black Womanist Ethics Howard Thurman, Essential Writings Barbara Ransby, Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement  “The willingness to listen, on both sides, is the beginning of reconciliation.” — Dr. Barbara A. Holmes Episode 26: Silence as Unspeakable Joy: A Conversation with Dr. Barbara A. Holmes Hosted by: Cassidy Hall With: Kevin Johnson, Carl McColman Guest: Barbara Holmes Date Recorded: May 24, 2018

Barbara Holmes served as president of United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, as well as professor of ethics and African American religious studies. She was ordained in the Latter Rain Apostolic Holiness Church in Dallas, Texas, and has privilege of call in the United Church of Christ and recognition of ministerial standing in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). In addition to her work with law firms, Holmes has worked with homeless missions, HIV/AIDS ministries, and international ministries in Kenya (the Presbyterian Church of East Africa) and Japan. The author of five books and numerous articles, her most recent publications include: Dreaming (Fortress Press, 2012), Liberation and the Cosmos: Conversations with the Elders (Fortress Press, 2008), and Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church (Augsburg Fortress, 2004). Holmes earned an MS from Southern Connecticut University, an MDiv from Columbia Theological Seminary, a PhD from Vanderbilt University, and a JD from Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University. (adapted from The Association of Theological Schools' website) In this episode, Barbara shares about her own contemplative lineage, reflections on the contemplative aspects of the Black Lives Matter movement, the contemplative and social impact of Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce,  and her sense of hope in the next generation.