Awake in Mindful Silence | Phileena Heuertz

by Swanson

“Phileena writes here with such simple clarity—and easy readability—because she knows she does not need to prove, convict, or defend anything. Mindful Silence contains not just her wisdom but the spiritual wisdom of the ages that is again standing the test of time and showing itself in the fruits of incarnational holiness. It is the great tradition of action and contemplation again showing itself.”

-Richard Rohr, OFM

Eleven years ago I was a work intern at the Center for Action and Contemplation. A season of life that would unknowingly tether me to the contemplative journey. As a work intern, I lived in community with 6 other interns. If that weren’t enough, we were also the guest house for retreatants. One evening as we were settling into our dinner, there was a knock on our door. I hustled over to welcome our unknown guest, who happened to be Phileena Heuertz. Over the course of the meal we would come to learn about Phileena’s work with folks living in poverty and on the margins. She had just completed the pilgrimage, Camino de Santiago, and regaled us with stories of that experience. It was over the course of that meal that I first recognized the depth of Phileena’s being and presence.

I’m grateful for my friendship with Phileena and the ways our paths have crossed over the years. Phileena has written a book that will surely find its place in the new contemplative canon, Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation. In Mindful Silence she weaves her story, contemplative themes and teachers alongside practices, with the invitation always at hand to take another step into greater healing and wholeness by embodying the contemplative way. In our conversation we sink into the themes of Mindful Silence, how her dog Basil has been a contemplative guide, the passing of one of her mentors Fr. Thomas Keating, and how on a pilgrimage to Assisi, Italy Phileena had an unexpected experience that continues to impart wisdom into her journey.

Phileena is a founding partner alongside her husband Chris of Gravity: A Center for Contemplative Activism. A spiritual director, retreat leader, writer, yoga teacher and exactly the type of person you want to find yourself in conversation with. Head over to mindfulsilence.org to learn about Phileena’s book. Get a copy for yourself and a friend. This is the type of book that is resonates when read alone and relished when read alongside fellow travelers.

You can learn more about Phileena Heuertz’s work at mindfulsilence.org, gravitycenter.com and phileena.com

You can follow Phileena on social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

 


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EPISODE SHOW NOTES

Resources by Phileena Heuertz

Resources Mentioned

People

  • Thomas Keating
  • St. Ignatius
  • Jesuits
  • St. Francis of Assisi
  • St. Clare of Assisi
  • Mother Teresa
  • Missionaries of Charity
  • Chris Heuertz

Drink Pairing

  • Bourbon

Highlights

  • Where do I find you today?
  • This podcast focuses on the contemplative posture by kindling the examined life. When you hear the word “contemplative”, how does that moniker relate to you or work, if you think it does at all?
  • If someone were going to teach a class on the formation of Phileena Heuertz what 3 works that formed you would definitely be on that syllabus?
  • The world just lost one of its most beloved contemplative teachers, Fr. Thomas Keating. Personal teacher of yours and his influence is all over your book. Can you roll back to your first meeting with him, what was it about him and his work that drew you to him?
  • A lot of folks listening to this are likely thinking about vocation or how they uniquely participate in the world. In your book, you focus a chapter on discernment. A practice I appreciate. How has your practice of discernment shifted or grown over time?
  • Tell me about Basil and his contemplative impact on your life?
  • Each chapter is paired with a practice, I must confess, I usually find this annoying. But your pairings are so deeply intertwined with the chapter that it puts skin on your words. Why was it important to you to connect each chapter to a contemplative practice?
  • I love the way you describe the difference and complementary natures of Clare and Francis of Assisi…I couldn’t help but think of you and Chris. Can you share your story of pilgrimage to Assisi and how has being on a path of committed relationship been a contemplative thread in your life?
  • We always pair an episode with a drink, what drink of choice goes best with this conversation?

 

Photo credit: GravityCenter.com