New Camaldoli Hermitage LENT/EASTER 2020 TRANSFORMATION There is a natural movement from the illumination of baptism to the unitive self-gift or oblation of eucharist, and from light to fire, from manifestation to transformation, illumination to union. The movement is from faith to obedience, and through remaining in the obedience of faith to bearing the fruit of love. Bruno Barnhart, Second Simplicity 62475 Highway 1, Big Sur, CA 93920 • 831 667 2456 • www.contemplation.com TRANSFORMATION Thoughts from the Editor Lisa Benner, Oblate, OSB Cam. In this newsletter, we explore the theme of “transformation.” In This Issue The church seasons of Lent and Easter seem appropriate to dig a little deeper into this broad topic. What does it mean for 2 Thoughts from the Editor each of us? How do we do it? Lisa Benner, Oblate, OSB Cam. In my work as a therapist, I have the privilege of accompany- 3 A New Consciousness in an Epoch of Change Prior Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam. ing people as they change and transform into who they want to be. This always requires hard work and commitment, but 4 The Real, Invisible Transformers the outcome is worth it. Pico Iyer The six weeks of Lent can be a time of reflection and hopefully 6 Diving Deep Into Lent growth. In a homily years ago, a parish priest said to us, “Lent Miguel Perez-Gibson, Oblate, OSB Cam. is hard work.” I suppose that can be true, but I like to think of it more as rewarding work. To ponder our lives, to review 7 Risotto—or How to Fall Apart and Become Something Amazing where changes might need to be made, can be a good start. Lorienne Schwenk Then with diligence and integrity, the transformation begins, often slowly and at times painfully. But if we use Jesus as our 8 The Beautiful Changes archetype for transformation and rely on his love and support, Andrew Nguyen our own transformation becomes blessed and holy. 9 A Celebration of Therese Prior Cyprian delves into a pivotal writing from St. Paul which Lynne Clarkin emphasizes the mind of Christ. In his essay we are reminded 11 Personal Transformation in Agape of the changing times in our world and that if we remain in Fr. Steve Coffey, OSB Cam. Christ consciousness, then transformation can occur as we choose renewal instead of conformity. 12 Transformation: New Camaldoli Bookstore Jill Gisselere A visit to the Hermitage, as so many will agree, is soothing for body, mind and spirit. Pico Iyer shares in his lovely essay about 14 Preached Retreats for 2020 a visit to that sacred place and how silence is “the greatest 15 Activities and Visitors transformer.” Silence, for him, provoked a cleansing of vision and a clarity of heart. 15 What the Monks Are Reading I had the pleasure of being present for the oblation of Miguel Perez-Gibson, that in and of itself was a special transforma- tion for him. In his essay, he shares his thoughts on embrac- ing transformation. He urges us to recognize that change is inevitable and being open and ready to embrace all that shows up along the way can be done with the grace and peace of God. Lorienne Schwenk joyfully shares how through the making of a scrumptious risotto, she has a new appreciation for the transformations we go through. She reminds us to remain focused on the Holy Spirit during trying times and in doing so, resilience prevails! Lent is to Easter as death is to resurrection—great examples of triumphant transformation. Andrew Nguyen eloquently details his experiences with dying and death through his work as a hospice chaplain. He shares how watching and witnessing this ending process in others has transformed him within—to remain steadfast and appreciate each moment. May your transformations be blessed and holy. May your Lent be peaceful and profound. May your Easter be beautiful, hopeful and full of joy! 2 ~ New Camaldoli Hermitage contemplation.com ~ 3 as Christians, Catholics, Camaldolese Benedictines, a rich A New Consciousness in an Epoch patrimony of which we are both the recipients and guardians. of Change We are, however, also charged to imbue that heritage with “a new ardor, new methods, and new expressions,” as Pope Prior Cyprian Consiglio, OSB Cam. St. John Paul II said of the new evangelization. And we are There is a famous saying of Albert Einstein that comes not going to be able to accomplish that without a new con- to my mind often these days: “No problem can be solved sciousness, without a transformation of our consciousness. from the same consciousness that created it.” And this ap- plies directly, especially, to the issues we are facing in our If the word “consciousness” sounds too humanistic, recall day and age—everything from climate change to the polar- the words of Saint Paul in the Letter to the Romans: Do not ization in our nation and international relations. (As I wrote be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renew- this, Australia was on fire and ing of your minds, so that you the US was poised to go to may discern what is the will of war with Iran, for instance.) God—what is good and accept- The problems we face today able and perfect.1 We need to be are not going to be solved by transformed by the renewing the same consciousness that of our minds, a transformation created them. of our consciousness, because the problems we face today I was taught a marvelous les- are not going to be solved with son that has served me very the same consciousness that well in my years as prior dur- created them. This is where I ing this change of epoch: the agree with much of modern difference between a techni- thinking—evolutionary scientists cal solution and an adaptive and transpersonal psycholo- challenge. A technical solution gists particularly. What I think is what you apply to blocked the spiritual traditions in general plumbing, for instance, or an and contemplative Christian- IT issue, perhaps some health ity in particular have to offer problems—call a plumber, the discussion, however, which contact your IT tech, take a pill science and psychology do not or get an operation. An adap- offer and may not accept, is this tive challenge, on the other piece of wisdom: the real agent hand, is a situation where of said transformation is the something is growing and Spirit and the spiritual. changing, or even dying, and applying a technical solution What does this have to do with is simply not going to work. (I Lent and Easter? The answer would hazard to say many of is embedded in the famous our health problems actually kenosis hymn from Paul’s Letter call for adaptive solutions like to the Philippians, which again lifestyle changes rather than “Christ on the Cross with the Virgin and St John,” Michelangelo speaks of the mind and con- technical solutions, but that is Buonarroti (1531–32) sciousness. As a matter of fact, a whole other subject.) Living things change and grow, whenever the topic of “Christ Consciousness” comes up, evolve, and even have their moment to die. It is quite a this is the same passage I turn to. Let the same mind be in discernment to figure out what we should simply repair you that was in Christ Jesus, Paul says, who, until it is up and running again, and when we ourselves are supposed to grow, change, and evolve with a situation. though he was in the form of God, In other words, transform. did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, Pope Francis has declared our age to be not an epoch but emptied himself, of change but a change of epoch. And in this epoch of taking the form of a slave, change we are not going to be able to solve the problems being born in human likeness. we are facing by applying technical solutions that come And being found in human form, from the same consciousness that got us into the prob- he humbled himself lems to begin with. We need to face the adaptive chal- and became obedient to the point of death— lenge of a new environment with new knowledge and new even death on a cross. extenuating circumstances. Obviously there are perennial Therefore God also highly exalted him truths enshrined and embedded in our spiritual heritage and gave him the name. that is above every name.2 contemplation.com ~ 3 Our Lenten observance, indeed all of our ascetical life, has The Real, Invisible Transformers this proximate goal: to empty ourselves—“and sit wait- Pico Iyer ing,” Holy Father Romuald would add, “content with the grace of God.” We hope that if we do, God will make us alive I pull onto the freeway for the four-hour trip, along a series together with Christ and raise us up with him and seat us with of winding turns, to my secret home, and my mind, as ever, him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages is crowded and agitated as Times Square on the eve of a to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace new year. How could that editor ever have messed with my in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.3 This will be our own immortal sentence? What was I thinking—not thinking— Easter, resurrection following death, new life springing up when I entrusted myself to that kind-seeming rogue who’s where all seemed dead, fullness where all seemed empty, fleecing us even now? What will my poor mother do now with the mind of Christ.