Fall Retreat Follow-Up
- Guest Post
- Oct 8
- 2 min read
Dear Incarnation,
I hope you all were able to receive what Holy Spirit had for you last weekend. It was my honor and joy to be able to play a role, along with the Great Cloud of Witnesses, in our time together. A few of you asked so I’m passing along my sources and some resources for you to look into further.
Mentioned in the Saturday morning session:
Becoming Earth: Experimental Theology, By Robin Wall Kimmerer
Armchair Mystic: How Contemplative Prayer can Lead you Closer to God, By Mark E. Thibodeaux.
The quote I referenced below is from pages 47-48.
“The human condition is such that I spend my life struggling to be my own master and lord. I cling to the illusion that I am the god of my own life, and I go to any lengths to keep that illusion alive… so what do I do to stop this craziness? How do I put God at the center of my life? Even these simple questions reveal the depth and potency of the human condition…they assume there is something I can do to fix the problem…The truth is…I do not have the ability to place God at the center of my life. God will have to place himself there…The saints are those who give up! They are the ones who admit and accept their failure to be holy and allow God to do holy things within them. They do not 'achieve' sainthood, they receive it.”
Centering Prayer Resources:
This is the organization begun by Fr. Thomas Keating. There’s lots here about Centering Prayer, the Active Prayer, and more. There is also an app available to use as a timer on the App Store or Google Play.
This book digs into a bit of neuroscience confirming contemplative practice.
Labyrinths
There are labyrinths available to walk throughout our area. Here is a labyrinth locator. There are a handful in Arlington/Alexandria, Takoma Park and DC. Brian Bussey reminded me that there is a world labyrinth day on May 2nd. Maybe we should all walk together or make one?
If you want to use one regularly and there isn’t one around or enough room to make one in your yard, finger labyrinths are also embodied prayer tools. You can print one from here or if you’re up for something more crafty you can use clay or yarn to make one.
Every practice is a tool to engage with God. The goal is communion, not doing the practice or doing “right." I pray that you find moments of your day to attend to how Holy Spirit is drawing your to attention to what your soul is longing.
Warmly,
Lauren Shea Little
Spiritual Director
Listening Darkly — reflections on the interior life, part prayer, part dreaming, and part practice
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