The Pocket Contemplative

I’d been saved from a very bad time by stumbling into centering prayer by way of Cynthia Bourgeault, Richard Rohr, and others, but had lapsed pretty badly when outside forces put more demands on my time. My daily contemplative prayer was almost impossible to wedge into a significant schedule change at work (lunch was no longer my own time, which had previously allowed me a daily thirty minutes without work or parenting obligations), and my practice stagnated and felt like a struggle - though the sessions had become natural, I was suddenly having to strain against way more invasive thoughts. After fighting it for a few days, I gave it up as something I couldn’t do anymore. This podcast brought me back around, and things fell into a more natural flow than ever before. So, with some 90 of them already recorded, it’s become my go-to “pep talk” for the morning commute, and they carry me well through the day. I do recommend a bit of background in contemplative practice before beginning here. Brian Russell’s Centering Prayer is a good primer, though many others also can do the job.

I have been listening and participating in the online groups for two years. It’s really hard to overstate what this podcast and the group has meant to me, especially in such a tumultuous time. I feel new synergy with my partner and with God, when my circumstances should have led me otherwise. I’ve found perseverance in important causes and new strength of voice. New caverns of self awareness have opened up. I’ve made really intriguing and loving friends from far away. Jesus doesn’t feel so far and I feel new awareness of ways I and the world are being supported, even through suffering. Very grateful.

Dave is a gifted and blessed speaker able to intelligently and spiritually guide the listener beyond religon into the beginnigs of a meaningful relationship with God. He exposes the failure of a rules dogma life that ultimatley leads to misery, and invites us to step out of our confined comfort zone into a spiritual adventure that leads to fullfillment and purpose.. Using his own real experiences and broad, non-generic examples from our world, Dave reveals the warmth and love of God within our worst experinces, while leaving us with practial tools to keep walking in faith.

Packed full of deep and profound content each episode, yet Dave somehow makes every one fun and accessible. I always come away encouraged, happy and hopeful. More, please!