by Robert F. Tredray

Repeatedly, the Scriptures assure us that God will exalt the humble. St. James says, “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and God will lift you up.” St. Peter says, “humble yourselves, therefore ... that God may lift you up in due time.” But if we “humble ourselves” in order to be lifted up, is that really humility at all? Is it not rather a subtle form of arrogance?

Perhaps I am imagining a difficulty where none exists, but I think this is a real danger. I doubt that we can be humble if our attention is fixed on the expectation of future exaltation. I would ask, “What does it mean to 'humble oneself'?” Is that something we can do, an action we can take? I think not. Isaiah says that the Lord “looks with favor” on “those who are humble and contrite in spirit.” And Jesus says, “I am gentle and humble in heart” [emphases added].

So I think that humility is an attitude, not a behavior; it is not an action, but a state of being. If so, then following a set of rules—St. Benedict's or anyone else's—is not in itself humility. What matters is where we focus our attention; it must not be focused on ourselves. Following the rule (or any other behavior) may be conducive to the development of a humble state of mind—or, better, of heart. In the same way, Centering Prayer is not in itself Contemplation, but may be conducive to the contemplative state. The author of The Cloud of Unknowing tells us that Contemplation can only be had by means of Grace. Can we say the same of humility? And can we not go further, and say that neither humility nor contemplation is Salvation, but both may be conducive to our receiving Salvation by Grace?

"Periods of unloading and purification of the unconscious ... can be redeeming not just for ourselves, but for others. In other words, as we get well, everybody else in the Mystical Body is going to get better, too. In other words, if we can stop pouring the negative energies of our false self into the universe, the universe is going to improve."

Father Thomas Keating, "The Process of Centering Prayer," from his book Consenting to God as God Is.

Did you miss Minnesota Contemplative Outreach’s annual fall retreat at Christ the King Retreat House in Buffalo, October 14-16? Forty-seven of us gathered in the autumn beauty of Buffalo Lake for extended periods of centering prayer and the expert guidance of Dr. Shawn Kafader. Shawn offered us four conferences on the topic Humility and Our Basic Core of Goodness. During the retreat I grew in understanding that our basic core of goodness is really our humble self. As our humble self expands our unhumble self (or false self) diminishes and we grow in freedom.

Fifteen hundred years ago St. Benedict offered a twelve rung ladder of humility as a guide. For each rung on the ladder, Shawn offered us a set of affirmations as positive practices for the spiritual journey. Let me give three affirmations that are calling to me right now.

I will seek God’s way and not my own. This will take time, but a similar nudge has been pushing at me for a while—seeking God’s way or plan in little things, instead of pushing so hard for what I want or what I think should happen. I anticipate that I might be able to even relax a little if I am serving God’s plan because it WILL happen. I won’t have to scheme and beat my head against the wall. This affirmation has an attraction to it, but I know it will take dedication and grace to live it.

I will live my life as a loved-sinner and see others as the same. At first, I did not like this affirmation. (That was a clue that I should work with it.) During the quiet time following that conference, I looked for a way to try out this affirmation. After a while, it occurred to me to put it together with something I read from Richard Rohr. My adapted saying became “I have nothing to prove and nothing to protect. I am who I am—a beloved-sinner—and that is enough.” I think I can grow into this version.

I will learn to listen before sharing my opinion. Shawn told us about a 96 year old man who told his therapist intern that she was the first person who had ever listened to him. Giving someone my undivided attention, listening with my whole being is something I can do. As we practiced it in groups of three during the last session of the retreat, I experienced the warmth and joy of loving and being loved.

It might be wiser start with just one of these affirmations, but I can’t choose which one, so I am going with all three to see what happens. There are at least 40 more affirmations where these came from, and then another retreat next fall....

Based upon The Twelve Degrees of Humility, The Rule of St. Benedict
Posted with permission by Dr. Shawn Kafader, LCPC

Movement One: Our Authentic Search for God

1. The discovery that God is always with us and within us.
“The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.” ~Psalm 46:7 and 11
•    God is my constant companion.
•    All is sacred – God is in all.
•    I cannot gain more of God – I have all of God present within me.
•    I have no more of God than my neighbor – my neighbor has no more of God than me.
•    God is with me – God is within me – God is with us!

2. The discovery that God’s will is best for us.
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” ~Mathew 6:10
•    I will seek God’s way, not my own.
•    God is good and seeks good for my life.
•    I will trust God, who created me and blesses me.
•    I will abandon my self to God’s plan.
•    I will pray, “Thy will be done.”

3. The discovery that obedience to God results in our highest potential.
“He became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” ~Philippians 2:8
•    My obedience is an expression of my love for God.
•    I will openly listen to God’s Word and the words of others.
•    I will honestly receive spiritual guidance.
•    I recognize that I do not have all of the answers.
•    I am willing to admit that I know I do not know.
•    I am aware that I have a false self and desire to live out of my true self.

4. The discovery that life’s difficulties are our greatest teachers.
 “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” ~Psalm 30:5
•    I believe that God will honor my spiritual perseverance.
•    I know and accept the truth the life is difficult.
•    I am willing to endure life’s journey without seeking escape.
•    I believe that life’s journey has a refining quality for me.
•    I embrace the dark night as a part of my spiritual journey.


Movement Two: Our Attentiveness and Obedience to God

1. The deceptions of our false-self must be faced.
“Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature – put on the true self, which is being renewed in the image of its Creator.”  ~Colossians 3:5 and 10.
•    When I confess my sins, God offers me a fresh beginning.
•    There is freedom in sharing with a good confessor.
•   I commit myself to the life-long process of dismantling my false self, allowing my true self to emerge.

2. Our status in life must be abandoned.
“If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” ~Mark 9:35
•    I will be content with the lowest and most menial treatment.
•    I give up my desire for the best of things.
•    I give up my desire for privileged treatment.
•    I do not expect to be served.
•    I will be satisfied with what I am offered in life.

3. Our defense of self and criticism of others must be put aside.
“Be merciful, as God is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned.”  ~Luke 6:36-37
•    I am willing to assume an inferior status in life.
•    I will begin to hear the insightful criticism of my life.
•    I am willing to know that I do not know.
•    I am willing to see my life through the lenses of God’s mercy.
•    I will live my life as a loved-sinner, and see others as the same.

4. The rule of our community must be accepted, refreshed and practiced.
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” ~Psalm 24:1
•    I am willing to renew my traditions in fresh ways.
•    I am willing to learn the wisdom of my community.
•    I am willing to engage in and be formed by spiritual disciplines.
•    I will work for the common good of others and all creation.
•    I will work for justice for all of God’s children.
•    I will live my life out of a generous hospitality.


Movement Three: Our Life-long Response to God’s Presence

1. Be quick to listen and slow to speak.
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” ~James 1:19
•    I will control my tongue, my speech, my comments and my responses to others.
•    I learn to listen before sharing my opinion.
•    I will listen for the voice of God in all things.
•    I will observe the practice of silence.

2. Be slow to join in laughter.
“A fool raises his voice when he laughs, but the wise smile quietly.” ~Sirach 21:20
•    I can have fun in life without making fun of others.
•    I can find joy in life, without taking away the joy of others.
•    I will live an authentic life, giving up the path of foolishness.
•    I will be a fool for my faith.

3. Be gentle in speech.
“In your teaching show integrity, so that your speech cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about you.”  ~Titus 2:7-8
•    I will speak words of peace.
•    I will choose my words carefully.
•    I will speak the truth in love.

4. Be true to your true self.
“For we know that our old self was crucified with Christ – we have been freed from sin.”  ~Romans 6:6-7
•    I will be patient with myself as my true self emerges.
•    I will walk through life with a humble attitude.
•    I will seek a simple, quiet and serene lifestyle.
•    I will seek my unique place within the universe.

Books cited by Shawn Kafader

Matthew Fox - Original Blessing
John Philip Newell - The Rebirthing of God
Joan Chittister - The Monastery of the Heart
Ilia Dileo - The Humility of God
Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove - The Rule of Saint Benedict
Thomas Keating - Intimacy with God
Thomas Keating - The Invitation to Love
Mother Teresa - Come Be My Light

Helpful clarification about what Welcoming Prayer is, and isn't, from Father Carl Arico from Contemplative Outreach:

"Just a reminder of the movements of the Welcoming Prayer - sink into and feel the sensation or inner response located in your body, welcome the Indwelling Presence, then affirm the letting go statements.

We are not being asked to let go of security, affection and control. We are being asked to let go of the desire for, the attachment to or even the addictive character that has encrusted around these natural and necessary energies."

Read more of The Welcoming Prayer and "letting go of the desire for security, affection, and control" at Contemplative Outreach.

by Jody Johnson

"I will lead you into the desert, and there I will speak to your heart." –Hosea 2:16

I've come to the desert seeking silence, or seeking to enter into it more fully. I practice contemplative prayer but, if as Thomas Keating says, twenty minutes of silence is "a brief vacation from oneself," I need an extended stay! I've been restless, anxious, caught up in the busyness of activity for too long. Like many people, I juggle half-commitments, leaving early from one event to arrive late to the next, then wonder why life feels unsatisfying.

"The desert offers timeless space to discover, engage, and wrestle with restlessness," says Father Tom Picton, director of the Desert House of Prayer in Tucson where I am retreating; "The discovery of what is on the other side of the restlessness is the quest! It requires silence, stillness, waiting, and the suffering of ‘not knowing'." This rings true for me; I long for this stillness, yet the prospect of having so much of it brings its own anxiety: "What will I do with all this time?" "What will God say to me?" "What if I discover things I don't want to know?" Worries have become my constant companions. As with guests who have overstayed their welcome, it becomes more and more awkward to ask them to leave. Or perhaps they are like old clothes I've outgrown but not yet replaced. What will be my new gear, my new habit? I can't very well walk around naked!

Some guidelines provided by the retreat center are reassuring: "Trust how you are being led. Your journey will likely open up to you as you listen for what is inviting your attention." It is about being open, aware, and receptive. The daily schedule of silent prayer periods provides the structure and practice to support this awareness. I've also brought Francis de Sales and St. Jane de Chantal to guide me on my journey. Though they never visited the desert that we know of, I feel their contemplative spirits at home here. Francis reminds me to get out of the way: "While I am seeking to find out what is God's desire, I am not employed in keeping myself close to Him in peace and in calm repose, which is certainly His present desire, since He has set me nothing else to do." Francis also gives very practical advice to gently redirect my intention (and attention) toward God throughout the day. He would have agreed with the last sentence of the guidelines in the retreat center's brochure: "Be gentle with yourself, relax, and enjoy your time away."

Jody Johnson is an oblate and formation director at Visitation Monastery in Minneapolis. She wrote her "In The Desert" series while on a two week study and prayer sabbatical. Jody also teaches contemplative practice and spiritual formation at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. This article is cross-posted from Jody's blog, with her permission.

For In the Desert, Part 2: Out of the Stillness, click here.

by Jody Johnson

"Lord, what else hast thou said to me by placing me in this holy monastery, but 'My daughter, walk always in my presence, think of me in all thy ways, and I will direct thy steps?'" –St. Jane de Chantal

Out of the stillness, time unfurls herself before me like a red carpet, and I am royalty, the Beloved. I walk through a garden of delights. As I practice letting go of thoughts by tuning into my sensory experience, the sounds, smells, and sights of the desert open themselves to me: the lush green of the plants and trees after rain, the smell of the creosote bushes, the trill of birdsong. I observe the constant shifting of light and shadow.

"In calm all becomes sensible and my soul is desirous of experiencing even the lightest breath of Thy grace." –St. Francis de Sales

At silent meals, it is a pleasure to taste my food again. For months I've been eating hurriedly and distractedly, reading the newspaper or, worse, checking my cellphone for messages. I've come to anticipate the next bite before I've finished the one in my mouth. The Buddhists say, "When you're eating, eat." So I pause, enjoying the flavor, noting the texture, chewing fully before swallowing. When I do this, I know which kinds of food I need more of, which less of, and when to stop eating.

Could this be a way of living? Jesus says, "Yes!" "I have come that you may have life and have it abundantly." The kingdom of heaven is compared to a great banquet because it is realized through the lived, embodied experience that begins with our senses. In stillness, we open to the present moment, the only place we can meet God. There is joy. And, we can trust that, if we are fully present and anchored in God in this moment, this event, this decision, then the next will take care of itself.

Jody Johnson is an oblate and formation director at Visitation Monastery in Minneapolis. She wrote her "In The Desert" series while on a two week study and prayer sabbatical. Jody also teaches contemplative practice and spiritual formation at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. This article is cross-posted from Jody's blog, with her permission.

For In the Desert, Part 3: Be Still and Know, click here.