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Posted: January 7th, 2008 at 1:26am By: Rev. Kristi Denham
There are three things I plan to do more often in this new year: meditate, pray and journal. All three are so intimately woven together in my spiritual practice that it is difficult to talk about one without mentioning the others.
Meditate: spending time in silence, listening, letting go of my agenda, my plans, my "To Do" list, long enough to notice what flows under the surface of my busy-ness; to feel my feelings, whatever they may be, and release them without trying to improve or fix myself; to allow myself to rest in the arms of God just long enough to breathe more deeply, to relax. This simple practice done daily in the morning as I prepare to face my day, and then throughout my day for a moment or a few minutes when I realize I need to re-center myself in the presence of the sacred which is always everywhere all the time, can only improve the quality and effectiveness of my work.
Pray: If meditation is listening to God, then prayer might be talking; except they cannot be divided and distinguished in that way. Meditation is prayer, and when I pray I meditate. I listen. I remember my needs, my hopes, my concerns for others and for the world as they float to the surface of my mind. I imagine myself held in the arms of the Holy, like Mary held the baby Jesus. I allow myself to feel that deep sense of comfort and safety, and then I imagine each specific person, place or concern to be held in those same loving arms expanding around them, bringing comfort, healing power, courage and peace. I let God's love expand within me and beyond me to include our whole blue-green marble world.
Journal: And as I pray, I often journal. Writing my thoughts and feelings on paper allows me to focus my awareness on the miracle of the present moment of being alive. So journaling is also meditation for me. And prayer.
I keep a prayer journal in which I name my specific concerns, some of which are checked off because they have been answered. I skim the pages prayerfully to hold each request in my heart and to return them to the heart of God.
I write my life in candid detail because, for me, the simple act of naming my experience helps me to step back and know I am learning, I am growing. And heh, if the reality can be put into vaguely logical sentences, I can't be entirely crazy, right?
In my journal I sometimes argue with God. Like Jacob wrestled with an angel of the Lord, I refuse to let go until I sense some comfort, some resolution to my struggle. There are those who will tell me this is dangerous, and I suppose it is. I am forced to test the Spirit of the answer I receive. Is it just? Is it kind? Does it come from compassion? Does it encourage wisdom? And humility? Does it allow me to live my life with courage and integrity?
Cool. I trust it.
Over the years I've come to trust my relationship with a caring God to always be there, always guide me, always give me the strength I need to live my best life.
These three things make me a better person, I think. I recommend them. Happy New Year!
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2008 by Kristi Denham.
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There are three things I plan to do more often in this new year: meditate, pray and journal. All three are so intimately woven together in my spiritual practice that it is difficult to talk about one without mentioning the others.
Meditate: spending time in silence, listening, letting go of my agenda, my plans, my "To Do" list, long enough to notice what flows under the surface of my busy-ness; to feel my feelings, whatever they may be, and release them without trying to improve or fix myself; to allow myself to rest in the arms of God just long enough to breathe more deeply, to relax. This simple practice done daily in the morning as I prepare to face my day, and then throughout my day for a moment or a few minutes when I realize I need to re-center myself in the presence of the sacred which is always everywhere all the time, can only improve the quality and effectiveness of my work.
Pray: If meditation is listening to God, then prayer might be talking; except they cannot be divided and distinguished in that way. Meditation is prayer, and when I pray I meditate. I listen. I remember my needs, my hopes, my concerns for others and for the world as they float to the surface of my mind. I imagine myself held in the arms of the Holy, like Mary held the baby Jesus. I allow myself to feel that deep sense of comfort and safety, and then I imagine each specific person, place or concern to be held in those same loving arms expanding around them, bringing comfort, healing power, courage and peace. I let God's love expand within me and beyond me to include our whole blue-green marble world.
Journal: And as I pray, I often journal. Writing my thoughts and feelings on paper allows me to focus my awareness on the miracle of the present moment of being alive. So journaling is also meditation for me. And prayer.
I keep a prayer journal in which I name my specific concerns, some of which are checked off because they have been answered. I skim the pages prayerfully to hold each request in my heart and to return them to the heart of God.
I write my life in candid detail because, for me, the simple act of naming my experience helps me to step back and know I am learning, I am growing. And heh, if the reality can be put into vaguely logical sentences, I can't be entirely crazy, right?
In my journal I sometimes argue with God. Like Jacob wrestled with an angel of the Lord, I refuse to let go until I sense some comfort, some resolution to my struggle. There are those who will tell me this is dangerous, and I suppose it is. I am forced to test the Spirit of the answer I receive. Is it just? Is it kind? Does it come from compassion? Does it encourage wisdom? And humility? Does it allow me to live my life with courage and integrity?
Cool. I trust it.
Over the years I've come to trust my relationship with a caring God to always be there, always guide me, always give me the strength I need to live my best life.
These three things make me a better person, I think. I recommend them. Happy New Year!
— — —
Rev. Kristi Denham is pastor of the Congregational Church of Belmont, California (United Church of Christ). Her email address is {email RevKristi@aol.com}RevKristi@aol.com{/email}. © Copyright 2008 by Kristi Denham.
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