Strategy

            The Institute for Contemplative Living distinguishes itself from other programs and institutes for contemplative studies in a number of ways. 

            The ICL teaches a large variety of contemplative practices culled from Eastern Christianity, Roman philosophy, and critical theory.  Our developing catalogue of contemplative practices will cover far more and more diverse practices than have been known or studied in the West. 

            The ICL also emphasizes the creation of what we call a contemplative ecology, a total system of living and thinking contemplatively for individuals and groups.  Our research and ministry has shown us that contemplation is not simply a set of practices, but an holistic way of experiencing life and living and of conceptualizing the world; in short, an entire contemplative ecology. 

            The ICL also promulgates contemplation practiced in the midst of an active and engaged life.  We teach practices and ways of thinking that may be applied throughout a normal and active life.  These active and engaged contemplative practices may be applied tactically as the circumstances demand.  These practices constitute a tactical contemplation, our signature system of contemplation. 

            The ICL further investigates and creates contemplative practices appropriate to today from unusual sources: the Eastern Christian contemplative tradition that promoted persistent struggle to contemplate in the midst of daily living; the very active and engaged ancient Roman philosophical tradition in which contemplative practice occurred in public and normal social engagement; and postmodern critical theory that studies ways of understanding identity formation, the modulation of personal and social power, and the manner of retrieving and refracting ancient beliefs and practices.  These sources open new avenues for exploring active and engaged contemplative practices.

            Finally, the ICL seeks to serve both individuals and groups in their efforts to create a healthy and fulfilled life.  For the ICL, contemplation must also serve the common good.  We seek to enable people and communities to achieve a level of personal and corporate flourishing, a capacity to live life fully integrated with spiritual, moral, and physical well-being.  The ICL has a particular vocation not only to serve religious organizations, but also to serve at-risk populations, those people whose resources, and personal and social circumstances deny them access to the leisure and recollection associated with current contemplative traditions.

            Other contemplative institutes and organizations exist, to be sure, but their focus is more limited.  They tend to teach one, or perhaps at most, two specific practices such as centering prayer or a particular form of meditation such as lectio divina, the meditative reading of scripture.  Or they promulgate one religious system's contemplative practice, such as the Buddhist compassion meditation or yoga.  Some organizations exist to promulgate contemplative practices for good health, especially among patients with cardio-vascular problems and psychological depression.  Still other organizations seek to apply contemplative practices to at-risk populations, especially elementary school children in problematic circumstances.  All of these other institutes and organizations teach contemplative practices that require withdrawal from active living as well as a level of economic resources and personal leisure to engage in contemplation.  But none of these organizations attempt to provide such a wide-scale and far-reaching comprehensive and diverse set of practices as the ICL, nor do they attempt to develop contemplative practices for tactical application in an active and engaged life, especially for the at-risk under-privileged.