If I had to say who my favorite author is today, I would enthusiastically put forth the Cistercian monk of the Tarrawarra Abbey in Victoria, Australia–Michael Casey.

I urge you, if you have time, read anything this wonderful man writes. It’s all gold. His is about the most insightful, poignant, and meditation-provoking writing I’ve yet encountered. His understanding of the human condition is off the charts.

I’m slowly working my way through his masterful work Fully Human Fully Divine for the second time, and I just wanted to share this excerpt from it with you today. I have found this so foundational and representative of The Ripple Effect core:

The act of contemplation, although it occurs within a spatio-temporal shell, is not of this world. It is like a glimpse into eternity.

It is, as we have already remarked, too easy to reduce Christian existence to its cognitive and ethical components. These are important because they provide the kindling and fuel by which the fire of devotion is initiated and sustained; but it is the flame that is the irreplaceable heart of religion. Without ongoing access to the invisible world where God dwells, all the other aspects of Christian discipleship lose their savor. Contrary arguments seem more convincing and the attractions of loose living more powerful. Rebellion seethes. Without personal experience of the divine, there is a danger that our spiritual life will become mere semblance without substance, keeping up appearances.