Common Era is a seven-part series produced by Passionists where theologian, musician and author David Benjamin Blower sits down with Passionist priest Nicholas Postlethwaite for an exploration of spirituality between different traditions: what might be coming to an end, and what might be coming into life. A conversation on power, anxiety, being changed by those on the margins, and much more besides.
What does our current era of change mean for the future of spiritual communities? How are our spiritual 'homes' changing? Why are old traditions finding traction with post-church audiences? What does a monastery look like without walls?
Theologian, musician and author David Benjamin Blower sits down with Passionist priest Nicholas Postlethwaite for an exploration of spirituality between different traditions: what might be coming to an end, and what might be coming into life. A seven-part series on power, anxiety, being changed by those on the margins, and much more besides.
Common Era is produced by the Passionists in England and Wales, part of a worldwide movement within the Catholic church, dedicating themselves to radical solidarity with the suffering of the world. Find out more about the Passionists at passionists.org.uk
David Benjamin Blower is 6-string writer, poet, theologian and podcaster from Birmingham in the UK. His latest collection of songs is Hymns for Nomads, Vol. 2 and you can find more of his reflections and songs as part of his work with Nomad Podcast.
What does this current time of change mean for spiritual communities? How are the traditions that we call 'home' changing, along with our relationships to those traditions? David and Nicholas talk about their current spiritual worlds, the relationship between faith traditions and power, and what might happen when communities put that power aside.
Is there a bigger story to be found behind the sense of decline felt by some faith traditions? What positive visions of the future could we find in place of those anxieties? David and Nicholas talk about the narratives of decline in the traditions they grew up with, the idea of giving away your 'treasures' without asking for membership, and how to take up the roles of undertaker and midwife: not only allowing change to happen, but taking part in ushering it in to the world.
We're in an era where different faith groups are drawing on one another's wisdom and traditions. In some places there seems to be less suspicion and more openness between these groups than ever before. David and Nicholas talk about this flow of influences, how it's affected them, and conversely, the search for belonging or 'home' in a fixed spiritual tradition.
The last few years have seen a surge of interest in monasticism, rules of life, liturgies, and other orthodox practices - in many unexpected circles. At the same time, the daily life of Catholic Orders are little known to outsiders. David and Nicholas talk about the history behind them, the rise of 'new monasticism', and the tensions between hierarchy and autonomy that lie behind the whole concept.
Pope Francis would be one of the influential Catholic voices in recent years reiterating the need to step outside our known world, and reframe it through the eyes of those on the margins of society. Nicholas and David talk about the places they've lived and their attempts to adopt a new narrative, where they themselves are not at the centre; as well as discussing the politics involved in self-awareness, privilege and ideology.
What does it feel like to be on the threshold of change - at significant moments in time? What's the feeling of being caught between the pressures of the past and the demands of the future? Nicholas and David discuss the challenges of creating space and authentic conversation in those moments, and they share their own experiences of that place, where change is occurring and relationships are put under pressure.
What exactly is coming to an end at this time? And how do we feel about those things ending? Perhaps we need to learn to hold healthy funerals, so that change can be acknowledged and mourned, rather than creating bitterness and division. David and Nicholas share what they think might be dying in this time, and how we might learn to be good undertakers of that process, alongside being midwives of the new things coming to life.