The Spiritual Practice of Paying Attention with Bethaney Wilkinson

In this episode of Teaology, Maya sits down with author and spiritual director Bethaney Wilkinson for a conversation about contemplative spirituality, Christian formation, community, and the call to care for our neighbors and the world around us. Bethaney explains what contemplative spirituality actually is and challenges the idea that contemplation is simply about becoming more peaceful or turning inward. Together, Maya and Bethaney explore how practices of presence, attention, and communion with God can form us to become more attentive to our neighbors, our communities, and the needs of creation. Bethaney also shares about her own spiritual journey from New Age spirituality to orthodox Christianity, including what drew her toward Christian faith and how her understanding of spirituality has been transformed along the way. The conversation also explores creation care and environmental stewardship, asking what it means for Christians to see caring for the earth as part of loving God and loving our neighbors. This episode is a conversation about contemplative Christianity, spiritual formation, Christian community, spirituality, creation care, environmental stewardship, and learning to become people who are more present to God and more available to our neighbors. Follow Bethaney here! Order her book, A More Beautiful Way To Live Our culture is constantly changing around us. A new story, new song, or new idea is being tweeted, posted or published every other minute. As the world changes rapidly around us, how do we respond? How do we stay rooted in our faith amidst a myriad of conversations? How do we stay grounded in truth when so much in the media is manipulated? How do we talk about our beliefs in a culture that may not feel the same way? Conversations about faith and culture meet right here on Teaology, the podcast. Teaology is all about communities coming together through conversation. We find common ground when we communicate well. Credits Written, Edited and Produced by Maya Wilson Theme Song: On My Vegan by JXXIII, produced by Kahlil Franklin Copyright 2026 All Rights Reserved Find Maya's poetry here Purchase Maya's Third Poetry Collection, Before I Was Your Mother For more of Maya’s writing, follow her on Substack teaologypod.substack.com Follow the podcast on socials! Instagram: @teaologypodcast Tiktok: @teaologypod 📌Copyright Statement: All the videos, songs, images, and graphics used in the video belong to their respective owners. I or this channel does not claim any right over them. Disclaimer of Copyright Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act of 1976, “fair use” is permitted for activities like criticism, commentary, education, and research. The term “fair use” refers to the use that the copyright law permits but might otherwise be illegal. Along with this channel, I make no claims to ownership of any of the graphics, images, or music used in this video. The respective copyright holders reserve all rights.