Black Lives & Contemplation

Black Lives & Contemplation cultivates a vibrant community where individuals explore the depths of their being through the lens of Black experiences. Through engagement in contemplative practices rooted in Blackness we hope to foster a deeper understanding of the Black diasporic contemplative tradition. By delving into rich texts, honoring the African Diaspora, and fostering a shared practice, we empower personal growth and collective healing.

Black contemplation, to us, is a non-dual, embodied experience that integrates the richness of Black culture, including its artistic expressions. It empowers Black individuals to deeply connect with their inner selves, recognize their inherent transformative power, and cultivate a spiritual connection on their own terms, free from external constraints. This requires cultivating safe spaces, fostering justice, and breaking down barriers to spiritual understanding. Black contemplation honors the unique spirit of the Black lived experience and aims for liberation. To cultivate this practice, we must center Black Wisdom in all its forms, from rich texts and diverse traditions to the historical honor of Black wisdom. As a communal practice, centered on the Black experience, it fosters a shared understanding of the challenging yet joyful work ahead, crucial for the ongoing development of this unique form of prayer.

Our approach is inclusive, communal in nature, and grounded in the Diasporic experience of Blackness. It engages the whole person, emphasizing somatic practices like rhythm and movement. It centers Blackness as the source of spiritual wisdom, acknowledging the richness and diversity of the Black self. The "Black Lives" lens recognizes the unique and vibrant expressions of all people who are racialized as Black. This approach fosters contemplation, healing, and dialogue, creating a space for individuals to locate themselves from diverse perspectives. It is ecumenical and acknowledges that Black Lives are not derivative but possess their own unique and vibrant expressions.

We envision a world where contemplative practices are accessible and transformative for all people, rooted in the wisdom and resilience of the Black experience.

Read some of our writing exploring Blackness & Contemplation

Love as the Leading Ethic for Black Contemplatives

James Baldwin, The Contemplative

Can Hip Hop be a Contemplative Form of Music?

On retreat with Brother Lawrence and J Dilla

An Interview with Dr. E. Trey Clark about Black Contemplative Preaching