As we celebrate the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, I offer this spiritual reflection.
St. Francis of Assisi (1181–1226) stands as one of the most luminous figures in Christian history—not merely for his sainthood, but for his radical embodiment of simplicity, compassion, and mystical union. His life offers a living bridge between Christian devotion, Buddhist-like detachment, and the universal mysticism that Zentheism seeks to honor.
Why Francis Matters
- Radical Simplicity: Francis renounced wealth and status to live in poverty—not as deprivation, but as liberation. This echoes the Zentheist principle of purgation, shedding ego and attachment to awaken to deeper truth.
- Kinship with Creation: He saw all beings—birds, wolves, sun, moon—as siblings. This mirrors the Zentheist view of interconnectedness, where all forms reflect the Ground of Being. His love for nature earned him the title Patron Saint of Ecology.
- Mystical Union: In receiving the stigmata, Francis entered into profound identification with Christ—not doctrinally, but experientially. This parallels the Zentheist stage of union, where the mystic dissolves into the divine presence.
- Peace and Dialogue: During the Fifth Crusade, Francis crossed enemy lines to meet Sultan Malik al-Kamil, seeking peace through dialogue rather than violence. His courage and compassion reflect the Zentheist ethic of reconciliation and spiritual autonomy.
- Joyful Spirit: Despite his asceticism, Francis radiated joy and gratitude. His spirituality was not grim—it was celebratory. Zentheism, too, affirms joy as a fruit of awakening, not a denial of suffering.
Francis and Zentheism: A Converging Path
While Francis remained within the Catholic Church, his life transcended institutional boundaries. He lived as a hermit in the heart of the world—solitary in spirit, yet radically connected. This paradox is central to Zentheism: Walking the Way with Buddha, Christ, and the Mystics.
He did not preach theology—he lived poetry. He did not seek power—he embraced presence. He did not escape the world—he sanctified it.
Why Launch on October 4?
To launch Zentheism website on the Feast of St. Francis is to honor a lineage of contemplative courage. It is to say: This path is not new—it is perennial. It is the spiral walked by mystics across traditions. And Francis, barefoot and luminous, walks beside us still.
Jay N. Forrest
Rev. Dr. Jay N. Forrest, D.Min., is the founder of Zentheism and an ordained Interfaith minister with over forty years of spiritual leadership. A certified meditation teacher with deep theological training and decades of ministry experience, he is deeply rooted in Christianity and Buddhism, drawing also on the mystical wisdom of Daoism, Stoicism, Neoplatonism, and Advaita Vedānta. Zentheism is a synthesis of these traditions, blending meditative awareness with theistic devotion and inviting seekers into union with God.