Latter-day Contemplation

Episode 85: Mack Stirling on René Girard’s mimetic theory

Mack Stirling on René Girard’s mimetic theory

Episode 84: René Girard's Mimetic Theory

Christopher and Riley are always searching out new theories and hermeneutics through which to interpret ideas, scripture, literature, or human experience.  Recently, they embarked on a concerted study of René Girard’s mimetic theory and let’s just say it has been fruitful and paradigm shifting.  They would love for others to join them in a study of this brilliant, Christian anthropologist’s ideas.  Girard provides the faithful student a path for understanding the Christian message that doesn’t dilute it as “just another myth”, or worse, a derivative of other myths with nothing unique to offer. They believe you’ll never see scripture, society, or human relationships the same.

Episode 83: How it's Going

We recorded this follow up episode a few weeks after recording Episode #82, Where to Begin, as a follow up to report on our experiences with some contemplative practices we wanted to continue or inaugurate.

Episode 82: Where to Begin

In this shorter episode Christopher and Riley discuss the most frequent question we receive from those new to contemplative practice - Where do I begin?  We offer some basic ideas, which can be implemented incrementally or all at once to put yourself on the path to becoming a contemplative.  The core of contemplation is always stillness.  To sit in silence, and preferably, solitude will do more to reveal the benefits of contemplation than anything else you will learn, and yet, there is much more to this lifestyle.  We hope you enjoy the episode and will reach out to us with your feedback, ideas, and reports.  We’ll follow up with some reports of our own in the next episode.

Episode 81: The Hero's Journey

In this episode Christopher and Riley discuss Joseph Campbell’s well-known model of mythology, The Hero’s Journey, and how it can be used as a model for personal transformation.  Joseph Campbell was a renowned author and professor whose groundbreaking work in The Hero With a Thousand Faces did more than describe a pattern in cosmological storytelling, but unlocked a way of looking at our lives that gives us context for our ups and downs, helps us appreciate adversity, and, ultimately discover the elixir], or meaning, of life.  Adopting the pattern, taking on challenges, and leaning into our difficulties as part of the journey lead to a more fulfilling life.