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Labels: Catholicism, Christianity, Emerging Church, Spiritual Formation
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At 2/21/2008 02:39:00 PM, 
Tammy
As a Mom to two very small children, the most recent spiritual discipline I've discovered is none other than sleep. Me and my sleep-deprived self find it perfectly impossible to be calm and consistent and sometimes even kind. So it's back to the basics for me. Working to find more time to rest (including a sabbath which is incredibly hard with little ones) has definitely made my heart more open to God speaking. And hearing Him through the demands of a busy day.
Another that really has saved my day has been a short, simple prayer before I even get up in the morning. "Lord, make me a blessing today" followed by "Your Will Be Done".
And the chocolate thing... I might just have to add that one.
I recently finished the book Eat, Pray, Love just before traveling to India. If you read the book, it's organized into 108 short segments based on a string of 108 beads called japa malas. They have been used for centuries to assist devout Hindus in staying focused during prayerful meditation. As they are praying, they touch each bead and repeat their mantras. There is a lot of significance to the number 108 that I won't get into to, but in addition - each string of beads also has a 109th bead that sticks out from the rest of them. it's intended to cause the person to stop and thank God for their teachers.
Anyway, while I was in India I purchased a set of these beads for myself (gasp! - what kind of Christian am I? :)) I've been experimenting with praying with them since being home and I am finding it to be SO helpful. Sometimes, I'll go through and pray for one person per bead. Other times, each bead will represent my own cries out to God. Beads are not new to Christianity (Catholics have figured this out long ago), but I've found that having something physical in my hands like this really helps me stay focused. And when I get to the 109th bead, I thank God for everything and finish my prayer.
At 2/24/2008 04:23:00 PM, LisaColónDeLay
Beads or knotted cord can be helpful to keep our minds from wandering. I have found this to be true too, but never tried it as a non Catholic.
SLEEP! Care for the Body is very much a discipline. you bet 'cha!
all very interesting.
Ruth Barton's book was excellent to get into thinking of life differently. Especially to think of it rest and recuperation as much we it REALLY needs it. Our culture just simply isn't very organic (vs. mechanical) like that and gives proper respect to rest and solitude--getting away from noise and everything.
Foot washing. I don't know why not. It seem like it gets things into proper perspective. I like that attitude and I wish more people thought that way. Great one. Thank you.
I'm blessed to read these.
I'm currently saying a prayer as I start to cook to help me make dinner as a mindful spiritual practice. (I'm still looking for better words.)
I have just recently discovered the value of a spiritual examen conducted in a warm bath.
But my favorite spiritual discipline of all time is allowing a small piece of fair trade dark chocolate to melt on my tongue while I try to be grateful for all the blessings, mixed and straight-up, in my life.