Radical Amazement: Contemplative Lessons from Black Holes, Supernovas, And Other Wonders of the Universe

Judy Cannato (1949-2011) wrote a facinating book connecting the Divine to scientific inquiry about people and the Cosmos. Her book is interesting for those who are learned in science, especially astronomy, and even for those who do not study astronomy. Mrs. Cannoto demonstrated that the artificial arguement that a conflict between religion and science is trite at best. As readers may know, many scientific and mathematical achievements were the result of Catholic priests, nuns, friars, and serious Catholic lay people.Mrs. Cannoto began her book with an interesting introduction about the vastness of the universe. Her treatment of the speed of light which travels at 186,000 miles per second puts the vastness in perspective. Aside from the sun, the star called Prioxima Centauri is approximately 4.35 light years from the earth, and the light emitted from this star take 4.35 years to reach the earth. In other words, people view this star as it was 4.35 years ago. The sun's light reaches the earth in 8.2 minutes, and people on the earth view the sun as it was 8.2 minutes ago.Mrs. Cannoto then compared the solar system and the Milky Way Galaxy, and the solar system is simply "a dot" on the outer edges of the Milky Way Galaxy which is very small compared to an expanding universe. To use the expression, "The earth is a dot on another dot, which is on another dot." Mrs. Cannoto was well informed on the expanding knowledge of the universe which she connected to the Divine. What Mrs. Cannoto attempted to do is to explain to readers that the Divine cannot be constrained by some literal interpreatation. In fact, biblical imagery alludes to an almost incomprehensive God who cannot be limited to narrow minded thinking. Or as Karl Rahner called the concept, "inconprehensible Holy Mystery. Mrs. Cannoto asked Ultimate Questions of Who are We, Where are We, and Where are We Going. She connected these questions with astronomy, other sciences, and religious implications.The above views re astronomy were unknown until Father Le Maitre, S.J.(1894-1966) developed a mathematical model of an expanding universe, and Edwin Hubble (1889-1953) published his findings of an expanding universe and literally billions of galaxies. Mrs. Cannoto reported that in 1998 astronomers made known that not only is the universe expanding, the universe is expanding at faster rates of speed. As noted in the book, this knowledge confounds those who want to "contain God" and refuse to understand that Creation and knowledge are not confined by limited thinking. Or as Mrs. Cannoto noted in page 45, "If we do not cultivate attentive awareness we will miss the divine presence springing forth all around us in unrestrained beauty and power." Mrs. Cannoto used biblical imagery re the Divine Creator and a changing universe.As noted above, the book talks about light years, and Mrs. Cannoto wrote a section on light and wave She cited Max Planck's (1858-1947) work about electromangnetic energy and Einstein's (1879-1955) theory based on the equation of E=MC squared. Mrs. Cannoto tried to connect these phenomena with the imagery of light that is often mentioned in biblical literature. Whether or not she succeeded is for readers to decide. Agree or not, she made some interesting inferences.The above comments about religion and science were embellished by the late Blessed Pope John Paul II (1978-2005) who remarked that information gathered by science is not inconsistent with the long-held theological truths. People who oppose evolution would be well advised that study of viruses and the development of medicine to save lives from viruses is based on the theory of evolution. Readers should remember that the next time they get medical attention.Mrs. Cannoto briefly dealt with the problem of good vs. evil. The view that our decisions are based on "psychobabble," behaviorism, and materialism which mitigate evil or achievement is underminded in this book. Mrs. Cannato gave a good detailed description of human anatomy and the capacity to think and make choices. This reviewer remembers a university history professor's comments about B. F. Skinner's nonsense about behaviorism. The professor remarked that Skinner "had been too conditioned by the rats he was studying." Mrs. Cannoto wrote that people have the capacity to become better.The Cosmos can be very destructive. Yet, Mrs. Cannoto wrote that catastrophic events can lead to creative results which can include super novas and "black holes." The concept of a changing universe can evoke a sense of awe or even fear. Yet, changes can provide men and women a sense of "Radical Amazement" and serious reflection. Men and women can think and learn if they so desire. As noted on page 135, "This radical amazement, as Dorothee Soelle suggests, tears apart the veil of triviality, revealing the significance and magnificence at the heart of even the most ordinary aspects of life." In other words, men and women should not contain God nor ourselves.As noted in this reviwer's introduction, this is a facinating book. Readers can learn astronomy and serious philosophical reflection. In a economic, materialistic world, the book demonstrates that men and women need serious reflection and contemplation to be truly human. Readers can also learn so much history of science and scientific achievements. Only very dull people cannot appreiate this book.James E. EgolfOctober 22,2014

this is the way this amazing book begins:"All of life-every bit and particle of experiencein every arena we inhabit and at every level of awareness-invites us into the experience of radical amazementthat is the doorway to the divine..."Radical amazement, then, isthe stance in which we are invited to live,a cultivated way of life filled withattentiveness and vision."...spiritual themes are perennially in need of being re-imagined orthese become dimmed thru familiarity and overhearing.such is what judy offers us with her wonder-inducing prose:she releases fresh awe bygrafting new metaphors from science unto well-known scriptureand the result is cognitive wonder and fresh insight.near the end she writes this,which makes for a most fitting precis of the book:"Emergence implies the unfolding of thatwhich has never yet existed.It requires great trust in the Spirit,for there are no maps to guide us as we ventureinto the unknown."We are ready to change directions when necessaryand take risks when required.Safety and security take back seats to creativity and courage."Uncertain about where the journey will take us,but sure that we must press on,we participate in the emergence of a new era for humankind,one that embraces all of life."An expanded commitment to emerge asks us to beopen and patient with the newthat is evolving within us as well,acknowledging that Mystery speaksas powerfully in darkness as in light."...judy's writing lures us into the mystic,where all fresh beginnings are birthed!.

Here is a contemporary cosmology that invites us to experience the Christian understanding of that God through the new cosmological lens. It is written in a way that the reader doesn’t have to be a scientist to understand the profound message.

I found this book by accident while looking through some books on astronomy. It quickly caught my attention and I ordered it. It's a small book but definitely exactly as the extended part of the title says, 'Contemplative'. The author is Christian but writes in a very mystical way. I'm Pagan and I really enjoyed this book! Everyone can learn something from this book--it is a new way to look at things.Each chapter touches on some of the most extraordinary things in the universe, and then passages are given as to how those things relate to us--indeed, how they are at the center of our very Being. The end of each chapter includes a meditation and prayer.This book strongly focuses on the interconnectedness of all things, and the Universe (and all in it) as an expression of itself, a desire, to express itself, to Become. We are it, and it, is us. Coming to and living in a constant state of self-transcendence and awareness can transform in endless ways.Whatever your spiritual path, this book is invaluable.

I read this book many years ago and it was excellent. I lent my copy to someone to read and never got it back. I was speaking to someone to whom I had recommended this book and she was telling me how wonderful she thought it was. So I decided to get a copy on my kindle so that I cannot lose it again. It is a book I will read and re-read many times. From the spiritual side it was excellent and the increase of my knowledge of the Lord's great cosmos was most informative

Someone had to do this but that does not mean it's easy going.My amazement has been truly radicalised and I need to read it all a second time.

For those seriously questioning the impact of the new universe story on Christianity, this is a huge step forward. Written prior to her second book (Field of Compassion), the author is enabling us all to slowly fit our faith puzzle together with integrity. Her solid reflections on the big question: without a three tier universe, what shape does our faith move into? She writes clearly, and summarizes just when you feel you need it. Her passion is palpable and I regret immensely that she has passed away.

This book is well written and explores Judy Cannato's views on God's creation. I enjoyed it. I will read the next one

Wonderful read