Guiding Principles

The Center is inspired by and founded upon these principles:

1. We recognize daily practice of contemplative prayer is integral to a balanced Christian life, rooted in ancient monastic wisdom.
2. We affirm the value of silence as a portal for “luminous seeing.” We resist the impulse to force our spiritual learnings and explorations into “either-or” paradigms.
3. We privilege the radically consciousness-transforming teachings of Jesus.
4. We affirm the primacy of Scriptures, Tradition, and Reason as sources of theological Revelation, while seeking inspiration from diverse postcolonial and non-Christian voices.
5. We acknowledge that spiritual healing is important work (e.g., woundedness, addiction, recovery, and injustices), and we center the deep work of seeking union with the divine.
6. We embrace monastic models of prayer and action while teaching practices oriented to the world in which we live and to prepare for action.
7. While we acknowledge the suffering and complexity of the world, we are dedicated to cultivating joy and wonder in our experience together.