Mystical Hope Book Circle Chapter Reflections
Across the years of hosting our Wisdom Practice Book Circles, Wisdom Waypoints has curated a rich collection of writings from Book Circle participants and leaders reflecting on Cynthia Bourgeault’s Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God. We invite you to enjoy these pieces as a compliment to a Book Circle you may be participating in or as a stand-alone companion while reading the book.
2020 Mystical Hope Reflections
Mystical Hope Book Circle | Chapter 1: Awakening in the Body on the Journey to the Wellsprings
Contributed by Laura Ruth Enjoy the Mystical Hope audio recording at the bottom of this reflection. “Come, are you ready to set out?” The first chapter of Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God ends with that question. Cynthia extends her hand, welcoming all who want to travel on a path to the wellsprings. She speaks…
Mystical Hope Book Circle | Chapter 2 & 3: Mercy, Meditation and Hope
Contributed by Jeanine Siler Jones In the Fall of 2020 I wrote about these potent chapters in Mystical Hope, just as the offering of regular Book Circles was stabilizing and as we were still deep into COVID-19 conditions. Northeast Wisdom was transitioning to a global Wisdom Waypoints. Many things have changed, and we have all…
Mystical Hope Book Circle | Chapter 4 & 5: The “Kernel of Gold” at the Center of You
Contributed by Laura Ruth In the middle of winter I discovered in myself an invincible summer.~ Albert Camus This quote is the epigraph for “Dying Before You Die,” the fourth chapter of Mystical Hope: Trusting in the Mercy of God, by Cynthia Bourgeault. I like to sit with these words that were chosen for this…
2022 Mystical Hope Reflections
Mystical Hope Book Circle | Chapter 1
Contributed by Alan Krema “We awaken in Christ’s body,As Christ awakens our bodiesThere I look down and my poor hand is Christ,Christ enters my foot and is infinitely me.I move my hand and wonderfullyMy hand becomes Christ,Becomes all of Christ.I move my foot and at onceChrist appears in a flash of lightning.Do my words seem…
Mystical Hope Book Circle | Chapter 2 & 3
Contributed by Beth O’Neil It is all that keeps us going at times? A cry of, ‘Lord have Mercy’ or ‘help, is there anyone out there?” I am grateful to this pint-sized, potent book. Chapter two has one of my most loved quotes of Cynthia’s (quoted below). You will often find me singing “we swim…
Mystical Hope Book Circle | Chapter 4
Contributed by Laura Ruth The day is breaking over perhaps the peak of the autumn color: gold, peach, deep red, various greens from yellow to black forest glowing in the early morning light. Each day contains so many moments, so many moods. Unknowns. It is dawn quiet; I have a puppy who needed a little…
Mystical Hope Book Circle | Chapter 5
Contributed by Paula Pryce The River of Mystical Hope The nature of the wellspring is to spring forth. – Cynthia Bourgeault, Mystical Hope When I was small, I would sit in silent conversation with the river. Those were the days when a six- or seven-year-old could do such things: step out of the house unnoticed…