The “Tree of Contemplative Practices” – Is Your Church Practicing Some of These?

By L Putnam

Flee From the Tree of Contemplative Practices: Run From its Toxic Fruits!

The attractive Tree of Contemplative Practices is laden with enticing fruits for contemplative meditators to partake of. But, beware! For this is not a tree with fruits one should be snared into sampling, but rather this is a tree that is full of toxic fruits. To find out why please read on!

The Tree of Contemplative Practices: Designed

The TCP was designed by Maia Deurr, an ardent Buddhist, for the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society. “The center’s mission, ” writes Deurr, “is to integrate contemplative awareness into contemporary life in order to create a more just, compassionate, and reflective society.”
http://www.mindful.org/our-partners/the-center-for-contemplative-mind-in-society

Now, in order to understand the recent explosion of the exploration in society of all things contemplative the center initiated a “Contemplative Net Project” to research why this was happening. And in the course of this project Maia had the inspiration to use the image of a tree to convey the breath of practices that were being described by research participants. Maia describes this tree in detail in her paper: “A Powerful Silence” in the section titled: “The Tree of Contemplative Practices.” (pp. 37-42)

To learn even more about the TCP explore the web site of “The Center for Contemplative Mind in Society” clicking on “Contemplative Practices.” Further click on the TCP where below the tree you will learn about the various branches with their practices listed below each grouping. Click on an individual practice to find a full description of that practice as well as other links. (Updated tree) (Original tree)

The Tree of Contemplative Practices: Defined

The TCP can be defined as an overview of contemplative practices that one can explore and experi-ence. And as Maia Deurr, writes in “A Powerful Silence,” these practices are intended “to quiet the mind and to cultivate a personal capacity for deep concentration, presence, and awareness.” Deurr continues, “Ideally, the insights that arise from the mind, body, and heart in this contemplative state can be applied to one’s every day life.” Click here to continue reading.