In issue 36 of Dialogue and Encounter magazine (now available for download in our library), we delved into the topic of women in the Church. For this reason, we had the honor of interviewing Alodia Cabañas.
Alodia Cabañas is a mother of a family, with a degree in economics and business sciences who, leaving the exercise of her professional career and after further specializations, is dedicated to giving Retreats, Spiritual Exercises, meditation courses, life project and personal and spiritual growth.
Collaborates at the University of Deusto, Bilbao. He belongs to the group of facilitators of the Way of Contemplation coordinated by Javier Melloni sj.
DYE: What is your commitment to evangelization and what motivated you?
My commitment to evangelization, as part of my mission and vocation, I live it by accompanying people in their personal and spiritual growth processes.
I understand evangelization as a way of making Christian spirituality present in today’s world, especially in a context characterized by the search for meaning, inner peace and connection with the transcendent.
This commitment is concretized through the spirituality of silence, in bringing people closer to contemplative meditation.
Contemplative meditation invites a personal and direct experience of God’s presence, beyond words and actions. In this space of silence and recollection, an intimate relationship with God develops, which in turn generates an inner transformation. It is an experiential experience that fosters self-knowledge and openness to the transcendent.
Contemplative meditation is a way of praying in silence that can lead us to an encounter with ourselves, to a profound union with God, to an authentic relationship with others and with all of creation. It is an experience of intimacy that gives meaning and coherence to one’s life. This type of prayer has allowed me to deepen my understanding of the Mystery and, from this experience, I have been able to live the Gospel in a more authentic way. I have experienced that meditating is not reduced to an individual practice, but invites to an integral transformation of the person that impacts on the relationship with others.
My fundamental work consists of facilitating an environment of openness and trust in which people can reconnect with their own inner resources through which they can discover themselves and deepen their living relationship with God.
The main motivation for my commitment to evangelization through contemplation lies in the immense gratitude I feel for my personal experience of faith lived in silence. The relationship with God is an essential driving force in my life, filling it with meaning, coherence and serenity. This relationship is sustained and nourished in silence. From there I deeply feel the call to be a witness and to share with others this transforming encounter that is gestated in silence and that radiates to all areas of life.
DYE: How do men and women respond to this offer of spirituality that you encourage as a woman?
In general, women tend to be more receptive to the contemplative spirituality proposals that I facilitate, which is reflected in a greater number of women than men. But I do notice that men are increasingly attracted to more contemplative spiritual approaches that cultivate values such as welcoming, caring, compassion, attention and inner listening. Although these qualities have traditionally been associated with the feminine world, many men are now responding positively to this style of spirituality, committing themselves to grow in sensitivity.
Progressively, both men and women tend to respond more openly to spirituality based on contemplative meditation. In these spaces, gender roles are more blurred and spirituality is seen as a shared space where both men and women can participate and lead.
The practice of contemplative meditation offers a space for personal transformation that goes beyond gender stereotypes; an inclusive space in which to share the experience and accompany each other.
DYE: Have you ever suffered any kind of discrimination in your job because you are a woman?
I have not felt any kind of discrimination because I am a woman. In all the environments in which I have moved I have always been well received, welcomed and I have been provided with everything I need to be able to carry out my work.
I have not encountered a difficult environment, which does not mean that there are. I usually offer my proposals in those spaces where I feel that the proposals fit and will be well received.
I believe that we should not force anything, that the opening is taking place at its own pace, that it is a matter of making us aware, of opening ourselves to it, of making ourselves available and offering ourselves with trust and kindness, so that from there we can contribute to building bridges of union that allow us to walk together, accompanying each other, complementing each other, walking in communion.
DYE: What does it mean for your work, doing it in a network, together with other people?
Contemplative prayer is based on five supports: attention to the body posture, attention to the breath, the concrete posture of the hands, listening to the sacred word or mantra and the strength of the group. As we go deeper into the contemplative path, we experience that the fifth support, the group or community, is the most significant, it sustains us. Shared silence facilitates the opening to the Presence, making it more palpable.
Meditating in a group creates a sense of communion and connection. The collective energy and support that arises when several people join together to pray promotes a deeper experience of unity or connection with the transcendent. It also strengthens motivation and fosters personal commitment. This is especially important when seeking to maintain a regular practice.
The group, the network, enhances and enriches the individual processes. The presence of several people can generate a joint energetic field that helps to deepen the individual practice. The state of presence of the participants can amplify and sustain each other. A collective synergy is created.
Interaction with others in a meditative environment also facilitates a higher level of attention and surrender to the present moment.
I can perceive all this in a palpable way among the participants when I accompany retreats or group meetings. And I also experience it very strongly on a personal level when I walk together with the companions of “Camino de Contemplación”. Sharing this deep longing for silence with others and feeling that you are part of a praying community strengthens faith. That is why I feel so much gratitude. And this is the strength from which my commitment to the contemplative path is born.
DYE: Are new women emerging to accompany spirituality processes?
It seems that in recent years there has been a strengthening of the role of women in the field of spirituality, with an increasing number of women accompanying spiritual processes, not only in traditional religious contexts, but also in other spaces.
This interview is part of issue #36 of Dialogue and Encounter magazine, dedicated to the topic of women in the Church. It can be downloaded and read in its entirety here:
We remind you that in May 2025 we will publish our new edition of the magazine, where we will explore the theme of peace. We invite you to stay tuned and to continue reflecting with us on these fundamental issues!
