Being Present
Posted on 27. Jun, 2013, in Church Teachings, Spirituality1 Comment
Dr. Michael Sullivan SJ, Director of the MA in Applied Christian Spirituality in All Hallows College and author, spoke with Pat Coyle about Authentic Self Presence and Liberation Theology and the links between them. Pat Coyle put it to him that those involved in Liberation Theology were often critical of things like “Authentic Self Presence” which they saw as introspective, individualistic spiritual practices. But having worked extensively with both, Dr. Michael Sullivan says the two can inform each other. He talks of the huge interest in the Thich Nhat Hanh conference on ‘Mindfulness’ in Dublin last year and that our culture is starting to recognise the need to live in a very present, attentive, aware and sensitive way.
I really like the new language that Michael presents here. I agree so much with him that presence to self is an essential factor in the renewal of society. It brings us to a different place, the place where, as Mary Oliver says, “another voice may speak.”