Dualism, Evil and Rising from the Ashes

Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox Week of 6/2-7/2025: Dualism, Evil, and Rising from the Ashes

6/08/2025 Greetings, dear readers. This week marks a new beginning. From now on, the Daily Meditations will be shared equally between Matthew Fox and Gianluigi Gugliermetto. Matthew will write the meditations for Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday (and will continue to offer a video each Monday) and GG will write the meditations for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Enjoy! June 2, 2025: Matthew’s Return (by MF) Matthew announces that he’s back from his sabbatical during which he was working on his next book. He thanks the entire Daily Meditation Team for keeping things going so smoothly as Gianlugi Gugliermetto graced us with his wisdom, knowledge, and inspiration. Matthew also announced a new schedule (above) in which he and GG will share writing duties. In addition, there will be a powerful upcoming 6-month immersion course (with The Shift Network) called The Path of Christ Consciousness. Matthew has invited several spiritual luminaries to share the teaching with him, including: Neil Douglas-Klotz on the Aramaic Jesus; Bruce Chilton author of the book Rabbi Jesus; John Philip Newell on the Celtic Jesus; Mirabai Starr on Teresa of Avila; Rabbi David Zaslow, author of Jesus: First-Century Rabbis; and Christena Cleveland, PhD, author of God Is a Black Woman. And GG will be helping students to process what they are learning. You can register for the course by clicking HERE. “The Path of Christ Consciousness” begins June 10, 2025. Register HERE. June 3, 2025: St. Hildegard on Senator Ernst’s & MAGA’s “Big, Beautiful Bill” (by MF) The hard-heartedness of the MAGA forces is becoming more and more obvious. In a recent townhall meeting, a constituent told her senator that the proposed so-called “big, beautiful bill” would actually end people’s lives sooner by expelling them from Medicaid. Senator Ernst had the audacity to respond with “We are all going to die sometime.” Hildegard of Bingen named hard-heartedness in unambiguous language: evil. Hildegard comments on a vision she had on the Antichrist. Nothing restrains a hard-hearted person. There is only firm, evil wickedness in hard-heartedness…. It spares no one and shows no mercy. June 4, 2025: Overcoming Dualism (by GG) GG says that one of the most important things he learned from Matthew is that spiritual growth is realized through overcoming dualism. But overcoming dualism is not simple. On the contrary, overcoming even one single dualism is always a complex affair, both for the individual and for society as a whole. As Matthew observed decades ago, the energy of dualism is underpinned and abetted by competition, which was prevalent in the 1970s, and is certainly no better today. Matthew teaches the following: I believe that the truly adult spiritual journey is precisely this: a journey from dualism to dialectic. From Either/Or to Both/And. Until people can make such a journey they are incapable of compassion. The Real Cost of Losing Immigrant Workers “They Hate Immigrants, But Can’t Live Without Them” Immigrant Paths June 5, 2025: The American Empire and Spirituality (by GG) GG says that he lived in the United States for about 20 years and was surprised by how deeply ingrained in our society is the military industrial complex. Everyone, it seemed was either actively serving in the military, had relatives who were veterans or currently serving, or were working on or invested in weapons development or manufacturing. And this militarism supports an American empire which does, in fact, dominate much of the world. So, in addition to the divide between conservatives and progressives, there is also a contrast between affluent societies and impoverished societies. June 6, 2025: The American Chasm (by GG) There is a deep chasm today between those who fight for justice and those who support the current POTUS. Many suffer as a result of this great duality. And many fall into the trap of hating those who have such contrasting political views. It is likely that this polarization will continue even after Trump falls from power. On the other hand, we must resist sentimentalizing the concept of unity when the divide is very real. How to narrow the political divide with family and friends “How to narrow the political divide with family and friends.” Though this was broadcast right after the November 2024 election, it still feels relevant today. WCCO – CBS Minnesota June 7, 2025: Rising from the Ashes of Severe Loss: A Current Story from Andrew Harvey (by MF) For those who may know Andrew Harvey, a mystic par excellence and spiritual warrior in his own right, recently when he left his apartment in Chicago to take a break from his writing, the entire structure burned. He lost everything except for his computer, including his very beloved cat. But, Matthew tells us, he is walking his talk and deeply mindful of what matters. In fact, he is feeling lighter, and even feeling blessed. Andrew wrote recently, Despite everything and through the love and work of my team, I find myself in the greatest peace and joy I have ever known, surrendered and resolute to continue to give everything I am and have to you. For those who may feel moved to contribute to a Go Fund Me campaign for him organized by the Shift Network, click HERE. SIGN THE PLEDGE: Boycott pro-Trump corporations. Faithful America. EngageForDemocracy offers curated trustworthy reporting, educational resources, and action campaigns to hold government accountable to the Constitution and democratic norms. Banner image: “Phoenix rising from the ashes.” A wonderfully creative entry in a driftwood competition in Hokitika, New Zealand. Photo by Jonathan Wilson on Flickr.