Center For Action and Contemplation

My daughter and son took me on a trip to Albuquerque, NM, as it has been a wish for me to visit this site for many years. It was a peaceful, spiritual experience. There is a sign by the front door that says "All are welcome". We were able to choose a book and spend time relaxing and contemplating our own spiritualities. I am so thankful they took me, and I now realize how it has definitely helped me on my journey,

I was introduced to Father Richard Rohr, his teachings/writings, and Center for Action and Contemplation (#CAC) through Richard Groves and Sacred Art of Living Center (#SALC). Both are incredible integrated thinkers and founders of their respective centers. In conclusion of SALC’s 2022 New Mexico pilgrimage, a handful of us visited CAC to walk it’s labyrinth and sit in tranquil contemplation in it’s garden.

In the gardens is a majestic 125-year old cotton wood tree. Father Richard named it Trinity Tree. I read about it the night before our visit. When I woke up the morning of our visit and until the guide at CAC reiterated the origin of the name and name itself, I firmly recalled and believed that the tree was named Shiloh. I immediately looked up the word, a biblical name meaning heavenly peace and messiah. Needless to say, synchronicity was not lost on me, realization and tranquil time there was meaningful and sacred.

I’m incredibly grateful to have found myself in New Mexico, where the local sober community introduced me to Richard Rohr’s teachings. I grew up in a household that wasn’t anti-religious but also knew no faith and I became a fabulous example of self-will run riot. I also had many interactions with religious folks who detracted me from their punitive, judgmental, oppressive interpretation of God. My spiritual path started out of sheer urgent necessity with Eckhart Tolle, Tara Brach, and other non-denominational teachers but has been increasingly expanding to include the Bhagavad Gita and other spiritual texts. Richard’s teachings have expanded this even more to include the truth of Jesus’s teachings and furthermore explain how so many have weaponized the Bible in a way that has turned so many, such as myself, away. I was so excited to visit the center and was given the warmest of welcomes today, and enjoyed hours under the beautiful cottonwood tree. I purchased a few audio CDs for my upcoming road trip moving permanently here from NY and was graciously gifted “Following the Mystics Through the Narrow Gate”. I look forward to continued guidance in turning my will and my life over to the care of God; a loving God as I’m coming to understand ❤️

Peaceful place to sit and reflect. Love the labyrinth for mindful meditation and the visitors center holds a treasure trove of resources for spiritual enlightenment.