Reflective Moments from Hearts on Fire
These days, many people I encounter seem to be feeling overwhelmed, demoralized, anxious, confused, almost hopeless. Maybe that is your experience as well.
As we are called to listen deeply – to ourselves as well as others – how do we receive all this stuff and these feelings in a healthy and productive and healing way?
Maybe we need to take a break, stop, pause – to remember our need for sabbath, to reengage with our intentional spiritual practices.
Here are a few brief meditations/practices to try – or that may spark others:
* Light a candle, some incense, or sit before an icon, your altar, or a view of nature. Be still and aware of your inner and outer landscapes.
* Connect with your breath. Take a deep breath in (silently count to 4) and release the breath (silently count to 4). Do this ten times.
For a deeper sense of letting go, or to more deeply relax, or as you are going to bed, change to an in breath of 4 and an out breath of 8.
Allow your breath to serve you and your wholeness and sense of well being.
* Pay attention to your body. What is it telling you? Notice how you are feeling physically, and when you experience changes. What brought about the change(s)? How can you allow your body to guide your self-understanding and your responses to things going on – within and around you? Practice some meditative walking, body prayer, gardening, cooking, or other physical activity. Appreciate your body and the many ways it can help you pay attention, as well as the many ways it serves your moving through the world.
* Scripture for prayer or formational practice.
“Let anyone who has an ear listen to what … Spirit is saying .…
I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17
You may want to hold a white (or other) stone as you ponder the new name the Holy One has given you, or is bestowing upon you. If you wish, decorate the stone or write the name on the stone. Keep it on your altar as a reminder of your calling from God.
Or pull out a scripture of your choice to ponder, to sit with. Maybe it’s a passage that reminds you of a time of healing, strength, liberation, hope, .… Allow this passage or verse to re-member you.
* Pull out some art supplies – whatever you have available. Spend some time in silence with God, working with color, images, thoughts, feelings. See what emerges. You may be surprised at what God reveals to you through this simple act of creativity.
* Connect with others. This is still challenging, due to covid, but thanks to technology, it is readily available. There are many affordable online groups/small groups/retreats/prayer, etc. that can be accessed. Be intentional about taking time for conversation with deep friends – yes, schedule a time and put it on your calendar! We are wired for connection, not isolation. Remember – and reach out.
* Gratitude – be intentional about finding and naming things for which you are grateful. Go deeper with this, and be specific. For example: instead of “I am grateful for my family” reflect on the things for which you are specifically grateful. Maybe it is the way they give you space for what is important to you, the way they make you laugh, the inside jokes you enjoy, the shared activities, the ways they help you grow [etc].
This year I am practicing gratitude with a gratitude jar. Every week I write down something for which I am grateful, fold it up and place it in the jar. As this year ends and the new one begins, I will engage in a practice of going through the jar and reading all the “gratitudes” I have noted for 2022.
* Music – listen, sing along, play an instrument, write your own song – Notice your feelings, your energy, if there is an inner shift. Enjoy!
* Reconnect to a deep practice of your own. Do your own thing. One size doesn’t fit all. You may want to share these on our Facebook page. Click below to access that page.
Rev. Glynden Bode, Board of Directors, Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders: Hearts on Fire. These reflections represent the view of the author..