Category: Catholic Psychology
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Yearning for the Yoke: Theosis, Self-Realization, and the Sacred Yes
Yearning for Your yokeDeep soul seeks light from your graceSpirit whispers Yes! ~Thomas Maples The Anatomy of Yearning: Why We Crave More Than the World Can Offer During the COVID-19 lockdown, I found myself wanting more than my vocation required. I felt as though I was carrying an invisible yoke, a weight on my shoulders.…
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To Witness God’s Work: A Guide to the Spirit’s Gift of Wonder and Wisdom
To Witness Your WorkWonder and Wisdom Lead MeSpring of Spirit’s Gift ~Thomas C. Maples Cultivating Holy Wonder: The Psychology of Spiritual Awe “We shall not cease from exploration / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time.” — T.S. Eliot,…
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Unity Unbound: Agape (Love) as Beacon of Hope
Unity as the Unbound Beacon Love is a beaconBeautifully set aboundOne note… Unity ~Thomas C. Maples Unity is more elusive than ever, distracted by endless noise. How can we intentionally focus on unity and find genuine peace amid modern chaos? A woman, once known as the life of the party, was surrounded by 5,000 close…
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The Alchemy of the Restless Soul: Turning Psychological Static into Divine Understanding
Understanding LoveIn Psyche. Let Spirit riseCalls the Sacred Heart ~Thomas C. Maples The Restless Soul: Psyche at Play Beyond Knowledge: The Shadow-Work of Insight Understanding. How many people truly have it? No, not knowledge—not facts or data—but true insight into that which we experience. It is the “knowing” that lies in the shadows behind the…
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Temperance: Finding Peace in the Age of Excess
Temperance to groundFaith unlocks the yearning heart. Pure Spirit to Spring~ Thomas C. Maples Temperance: The Sacred Architecture of Restraint For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. ~2 Timothy 1:7 Temperance; can you sense its presence? If you listen to the inspirational gurus on…
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The Rhythm of Redemption: Life as a Practice of Return
Seeking redemption Inner voice calls upon me Grace springing within ~ Thomas C. Maples Redemption in the Integrated Self Have you ever felt that life is a practice? As I ponder this, it runs counter to my experience, which screams that people seek perfection. But sometimes, the true value in life comes from moments of…
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Piety and Peace: A Lullaby for the Restless Soul
Piety calls meInner peace to be my guideSoul springs to His voice.~ Dr. Thomas Maples Piety: A Lullaby for the Restless Soul Shh. Listen. Can you hear the noise around you? It’s everywhere. In moments like these, finding a sense of piety can offer profound inner peace, calming the listless Soul. Every morning, I start…
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Obedience and the Blessed Heart: A Catholic Perspective on Love, Will, and Offering
Obedience and will—where does it begin? One of my favorite subjects to write about is happiness. It is a cornerstone of the entire industry that supports my livelihood: the practice of psychotherapy. People yearn for happiness, but when they focus their will solely on that end, they fail to realize they are setting their psyche…
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Nurturing Grace: The Divine Equation of Love
Soul Eat’s Living Bread,Strong Spirit gives gentle rest,Grace falls upon me.~Thomas C. Maples The Divine Equation: From Vertical Ascent to Inner Wellspring When Christ gave us the Great Commandment, He established the divine equation for love, proclaiming the ultimate truth—a truth that can be closely related to Nuturing Grace in our daily lives. Embracing and practicing…
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Seeds of Mercy: A Gift Once Given, Twice Received
Seed of Mercy Sewn The darkest hour now breaks Fall light will guide me ~Dr. Thomas Maples A Seed of Mercy Sewn Have you ever done something that caused you profound guilt or shame? In those moments, seeking mercy can bring comfort and hope. This is a uniquely human experience. We possess a conscience built…
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Love: The Essence of God’s Plan
I’ll Follow Your Call Libations of LoveLike a Fall Dew ReflectionI’ll Follow Your Call Love and the Alphabet of Virtues In the alphabet of virtues, this is the one I most looked forward to writing: Love. What a gift we have been given. For it is in the very act of loving that the gift of giving is as…
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Embracing Kindness: A Source of Hope
To Spring darkness fadesKindness falls on open heartFaith will guide the way~Dr. Thomas Maples Miracles are possible in a world where kindness is the primary focus. Acts of kindness can bring about positive change, but only if we cultivate their presence individually. It is only then that we can lay the foundation for truly miraculous…