“Everyone … has been living through a time of mounting political, economic, ecological and climate peril – the turning point that we all share. Without exaggeration, it has been described as both ‘unthinkable’, and ‘like no other in human history’. We mislead ourselves to think of this as only the background or context of our lives -an external condition that needs to be fixed so we can then continue with life as before.”
The last couple of years have left their mark on us all in numerous ways. For some of us our prayer life and spiritual practices have been a source of comfort, or these practices have faced new challenges, or they have fallen short in what we would want to expect from them. Now is a good time to reflect on our spiritual practices, to reevaluate them, to renew or refresh them, or to open to new spiritual practices. This is important to address, as it is in our spiritual practices and prayer life that we can find grounding and support for how we face the challenges of this current point in human history and live our lives in response and not reaction.
For those of you who have (or have not) been meditating, doing mindfulness practice or another Buddhist practice or Centering Prayer or the Orthodox Jesus Prayer or any other form of sitting in silence with the intention of openness to the Holy, and for those who would like to learn how to meditate, I am offering a way to engage this spiritual practice.
Starting this Sunday, November 13, at 4:00 PM at West Central Abby, 1832 W Dean Ave, Spokane:
Advent Countercultural Meditation for the Busy Christmas Season
This class will explore the spiritual practice of meditation through short times of sitting together in silence and discussion about:
· what meditation is
· why meditate
· ways to meditate
· how meditation is a subversive sabotage of the prevailing culture
· how sitting still and doing nothing accomplishes so much
Our time together of sharing personal experiences of meditation is sacred and respected for each one participating while providing opportunity for loving personal growth and growth as a compassionate faith community.
It's not about continuing life as it was before.
