Be Present, be aware, be open

Numerous books have been written on Contemplative practices. Not just for the Eastern faith traditions, the Judean - Christian faith also has a long history of contemplative practices. The purpose of these practices are slightly different in their focus. In the Eastern traditions, the main focus is on Enlightenment for an individual. Every person is responsible for their spiritual journey. Whereas the emphasis in the Judean - Christian religion the purpose is union with the Divine. In my understanding, the Christian perspective is universal and reaches further than just the individual.

 

Meditation is an ancient practice that is still relevant today. Maybe not as a religious practice, it surely has found merit in healthcare and well-being. The positive sides of meditation are the ability to calm the mind and reduce stress, with an increase of self- awareness. These benefits are, in general, not the reason spiritual people engage with these practices.

 

Unfortunately, there is no clear definition for Christian contemplative prayer or Christian meditation. The earliest Christian writings that talk about contemplative prayer come from John Cassian, a 4th- Century monk.

 

Contemplation and meditation are closely related. Let me try to explain the different terms. Contemplation, for most people, refers to thinking and reflecting. In a Christian religious context, contemplation refers to 'seeing beyond the intellect'. It is about the inner vision or experience. A contemplative person is someone whose life is devoted to prayer, and although initially referred to those living in a monastery/convent; nowadays, a contemplative person can live in the world and engage in contemplative practices like mediation, prayer, yoga etc. 

Whereas, meditation is understood to be the practice of concentration. The word meditation comes from the Latin meditari, which means to concentrate, or reflect. 

 

The contemplative practices, as we know them, could be categorised either as meditation practice or as a contemplative practice.  In my understanding, we can distinguish between two main types or streams of meditation. 

 

The first stream use the focused method. Focused meditation, involves the use of any of the senses or simply breathing. Sometimes people use a combination of these tools. The use of prayer beads in conjunction with prayer/mantra or 'sacred word', is quite common, in both the Eastern and Western traditions. 

 

The second stream is about the use of movement. Yoga, walking meditation, or Qui Gong, to name a few. Again the use of breath helps the practise as they follow the breath in movement.

 

Over the years, I have engaged in a variety of meditation practices. My journey has included yoga, Tai Chi, and meditation inspired by the Christian tradition. They were disjointed for quite some time, because initially my practice started for health reasons. As I have developed my spiritual practice, I use some form of meditation to enter into contemplation. Which means that, I light my candle and focus on my breath; sometimes counting the 'in' and 'out' breath. If my mind is wandering a lot, I also use a sacred word to remain focused on the Divine Presence.

 

River

The river of divine Grace flows around our feet, no matter where we are.

It is about being open and willing to take off our shoes and dip our toes into the fresh sparkling streaming water, to sense the presence of the Divine and listen to her voice. A voice, so soft, I can hear in the rippling of the water.

I don't know what your river looks like; maybe it is it full of rocks, fish or plants. We all have a variety of expectations.  Some sense the divine Grace in the middle of town, talking to friends over a coffee or a wine. While others need silence or birdsong, listening to waves rolling onto a beach or maybe when they are high in the mountains.

The river of Grace is always present to us if only we pause in our busy lives to explore it. Most of us need time out from the obligations and expectations of the world, making time for spiritual fulfilment. Personally, the river of Grace can flow better and is more accessible if I pay attention to my daily rhythm of prayer and meditation.  Taking the time to process and journal will help that too. 

After all these years, I know when I sense the river is running dry or the weeds are taking over, it is due to lack of me making time to stop and take stock.

Like healthy eating and exercise, spiritual well-being requires some self-discipline!

For me, the beach holds the secret of connection. When I have had a stressful day, nothing is more soothing than 'getting my feet wet'. Walking through the water, sand between my toes, and all my stress and concerns wash away.

When I am at the beach, with my feet in the sea, I can connect with what I call the Divine Spirit.

Big problems become manageable because I take the time to ponder and wonder.

               

Flowing in the river of Divine Grace is about finding our inner connection, and there is no need to travel far.

God is with us wherever we are. If only we paid attention.

Diet

Most people are interested in health and diets; Fad diets, healthy eating, Paleo, low fat and intermittent fasting. You name it, and there is some research to show the reason why it should make us feel better.  We will be slimmer, more beautiful, fitter and have loads more energy.

The food pyramid, which originated in Sweden, in 1974 gives a clear indication around a healthy eating plan. I wonder if that applies to a spiritual diet too? What would a mixed banquet, with taste bud teasers, full of colour, textures and excitement look like for each person?

Prayer forms the base of my Spiritual pyramid. Prayer is communication with God, listening and responding. Prayer is about relationship, inner stillness and reflection to guide us into the intimacy with God. Communication here is listening and responding to the small voice of the Divine. There are numerous forms of prayer and prayer preferences. To introduce new flavours or ways may 'tease the taste buds'. To step out of the comfort zone of the home kitchen, while leaving space for the mystical experience.

How we build our personal spiritual pyramid depends on individual temperaments. Extraverts and introverts have a different way of engaging with personal and spiritual matters. Silence may be an essential aspect in one pyramid, where some others may need a community aspect for their spiritual well-being.

In the various ways of gazing upon the Divine, there are a plethora of choices available to those seeking nourishment on their spiritual journey.
The concern for a spiritual director, is the directee's choice between a balanced diet and an unhealthy focus on a single food choice. Should spiritual directors reflect on the possibility (both negative and positive) of spiritual addiction or spiritual malnourishment? What would that look like?

For example, what if a directee so engrossed in their meditation practice that they ignore work and family? What about the directee who takes every opportunity to find new ways, but doesn't seem to find peace in anything?

In the end, it is up to each individual to find their way into the stillness. A spiritual director can walk alongside helping the directee notice where God is active in their lives.

Hungry

People are hungry.
Even if we don't know for what we are hungry.
We want something - but can't name it.

I think people are hungry for wholeness and God, the Divine Spirit, or whatever term for the Divine is right for them. We are hungry for what the mystics call the 'union with God'. The Oneness that makes us whole.

When the directee is ready to embark on this journey of (self)discovery, they talk about all sorts of issues. The topics range from family life to work-related concerns, general relationship challenges, grief and many more, before they embark on matters of spirituality.
The initial conversations are often more about general problems before we come to a place of trust, where we can unpack spiritual issues.
Spiritual matters are profoundly personal and intimate. To bare your soul to a spiritual mentor or companion, takes courage and time. To share your deepest thoughts and religious experiences is difficult. Difficult, because we often don't have the words to describe how we feel, or there may be a sense of shame, guilt or anger. 

In the world of today, we have uncovered most taboos. Somehow faith-related issues are no longer part of our day-to-day conversations, and there are a multitude of people who have been hurt by the 'Church'. Or to be more specific by people in a church community. Others have left because the dogma, rules and regulations no longer spoke to them. It is not God/their faith that they have left behind, but a faith community.

This site may be a starting point where you can dip your toes into the river of Divine Grace to nurture your soul.

As rivers have their source in some far fountain,

So the human spirit has its source.

To find this fountain of spirit

is to learn the secret of heaven and earth.

In this fountain of mystery,

spirit is eternally present in endless supply.

Tao