Articles by Scott Owings at Heartlight

Exercising the Spirit: Rule of Life

Sun, 28 Jan 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Is there anything I can do to make myself spiritual?
As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning?
Then of what use are the spiritual exercises you prescribe?
To make sure you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise.

(Anthony de Mello)

Over the past year, I have written about various spiritual exercises (see the links below) that have been practiced by believers through the ages. These articles were not intended to produce guilt or to insinuate that doing them is the secret key or requirement for spirituality. Rather, like the story above suggests, spiritual disciplines are important for they make space in our busy lives, awakening us to the Presence who is active and living and constantly inviting us to "become partakers of the divine nature." (2 Peter 1:4)

The Spiritual Disciplines (and there are many more besides the ones I have written about) not only train and discipline us for love and good works, they provide nourishment and delight for our hungry souls. As the Psalmist proclaimed, so we, too, can come to enjoy the rich feast that God provides for our souls.

My soul is satisfied as with a rich feast,
and my mouth praises you with joyful lips
when I think of you on my bed,
and meditate on you in the watches of the night. (Psalm 63:5-6)

While spiritual practices such as centering prayer, silence, and hospitality can strengthen our spirit and provide food for our souls, the reality is most of us can profit from having a "Rule of Life" to keep us regular and accountable. Having such a "rule" can hold us accountable in either avoiding the spiritual disciplines or overindulging. The key is balance that is enhanced by a graciously ordered "rule." In Marjorie Thompson's excellent book, "Soul Feast," she states:

Athletes, musicians, writers, scientists, and others progress in their fields because they are well-disciplined people. Unfortunately, there is the tendency to think that in matters of faith we should pray, meditate, and engage in other spiritual disciplines only when we feel like it.

As this year and series of articles comes to a close, I want to encourage you to write your own "Rule of Life" for the coming year, using the suggestions below as a guide.

Plan a few hours (or even a day) away from home in order to discern your "Rule of Life" for the coming year.

Spend an ample amount of time in silence, Lectio Divina, and prayer. A few suggested passages for reflection are Psalm 63, Matthew 5:3-12, and 2 Peter 1:3-11.

Reflect on and write down your honest evaluation of how well you practiced the spiritual disciplines this past year. You might want to ask, which spiritual practice energized you the most? Which one did you find enticing but couldn't seem to get around to doing? Which one(s) repel or scared you?

There is nothing wrong with exercising in ways that feel comfortable to you. However, seek to discern why some spiritual practices resonate with you and why others do not.

An important question to ask is, in what area of my life do I believe God wants me to grow? After identifying this, spend some reflecting on what practice(s) might make room for growth.

Consider and write down what exercises you want to commit to for this year. This is not to limit you or make you feel "stuck." Rather, listing the handful of spiritual practices that you want to commit to can encourage you to stay regular and disciplined in your walk with the Lord.

Write down your "Rule". (Some have found it helpful to organize one's "Rule" by plans for the day, week, and month, quarter, and year.

After you write your "Rule," (remembering that "less is often more"), be sure to share your plan with a trusted friend or spiritual guide. You might ask this person, based on what you know about my personality, stage in life, and surroundings, how feasible and advisable do you believe this rule is?"

Introduction to Exercising the Spirit

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Exercising the Spirit: Silence

Exercising the Spirit: Meditation

Exercising the Spirit: Breath Prayer

Got Your Spiritual Trainer?

Exercising the Spirit: Generosity

Exercising the Spirit: Fasting

Witnessing

Exercising the Spirit: Witnessing

Sun, 19 Nov 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Little Johnny was trying out for a part in the school play. His mother knew that he had set his heart on it but she feared he would not be chosen. On the day the parts were given out, Johnny, back from school, rushed into his mother's arms, bursting with pride and excitement. "Mother," he shouted, guess what! I've been chosen to clap and cheer."

(Anthony de Mello)

As the story above indicates, it is essential for disciples of Jesus to rethink our role in the great story of God -- prepared at any moment to give our applause to God. The Apostle Peter encourages his readers with these helpful words that have much to say about how we give our applause:

Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is within you; yet, do so with gentleness and respect (1 Peter. 3.15).

Be prepared:
The time will come when you will be asked (whether by friend or foe) to give an answer for what "makes you tick." Like an athlete, you must prepare for "game time"—that critical moment when someone notices how you are living and asks for an explanation. Of course, that doesn't mean you should never take the initiative to share your faith. What it does mean is that your witness will likely be more effective if you live in such a humble yet magnanimous way that others ask about your life. And when that time comes, you must be prepared to answer!

Be honest:
In our media-driven, Hollywood-crazed culture, banality reigns supreme. "I just want the 'real deal'", people often lament. Therefore, when asked what makes your life different, it is essential that you speak honestly and openly, remembering out loud what your life used to be like before Christ set you free from the gods of this world, including your own selfish ambition and pride.

Be decent:
In the passage above, Peter admonishes his readers to answer others with "gentleness and respect." This is crucial and must not be overlooked. Sure, we must be bold and, of course, our testimony must be accurate. However, we must also be decent, remembering what our mothers always told us: "It's not what you say; it's how you say it." Or to paraphrase Paul, "if I know the right answers to all of life's questions, and can witness eloquently to my salvation but have not love, it counts for nothing."

Like the other spiritual disciplines, witnessing is a spiritual practice that takes intentionality, not to mention the guidance of the Spirit and the accountability of fellow believers. Here are a few exercises that might help to prepare you in the important work of a witness.

Prepare your response. Towards the aim of being ready to witness, write down on one page or less, "Why you are a Christian." As you prepare, you might contrast how you once lived (or what your "thought life" was like) with now. Remember, when asked about your hope, others are not wanting a long sermon full of platitudes or clichés but a personal, honest story.

Practice with a friend. Like any exercise—spiritual or physical—the practice of witnessing can be enhanced by a spiritual friend or guide. Therefore, you might want to ask someone you respect to listen to or read your testimony and give you honest feedback about whether it sounds authentic, compelling, and applauds Jesus.

Seek to be gentle and respectful. One way to work on this is be present to those that God places in your path on a regular basis—especially with your family. As this old adage goes, "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

Pray. Ask the Lord to give you opportunities to witness, to have eyes to see the people he is bringing into your midst, and to speak with compassion. As you go through the day, you might try praying (silently and with eyes opened wide) the prayer of Teresa of Avila, "Lord, love the world through me."

See previous exercises:

Introduction to Exercising the Spirit

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Exercising the Spirit: Silence

Exercising the Spirit: Meditation

Exercising the Spirit: Breath Prayer

Got Your Spiritual Trainer?

Exercising the Spirit: Generosity

Exercising the Spirit: Fasting

Exercising the Spirit: Fasting

Sun, 15 Oct 2006 00:00:00 -0500

A bear paced up and down the twenty feet that was the length of his cage. When, after five years, the cage was removed, the bear continued to pace up and down those twenty feet as if the cage were there. It was. For him!

(Anthony de Mello)

Milan Kundera, the brilliant Czech author, poignantly describes in his novel "Slowness," how the western world demands and is enamored by speed -- think about our culture's insatiable desire for faster computers, faster athletes, and fast food. And while speed and efficiency are not inherently bad, the consequence has been an ever-increasing sluggish, forgetful, and imprisoned spirit. This is true among Christians as well. William Wordsworth, in prophetic fashion, said it this way:

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and Spending we lay waste our powers.

As followers of Christ, it is no small task to avoid the "getting and spending" frenzy that Wordsworth critiques, much less to live contemplatively. However, if we follow our culture's current trajectory, choosing to follow the fast course of this world, we run the risk of losing a great deal -- the mind of Christ, the awareness of Father -- God's presence, and freedom in the Spirit.

So, if the problem is "the world is too much with us," what are we to do? Simply put, we need less, not more. One practice or exercise to slow us down and awaken our spirit is the ancient discipline of fasting.

Fasting is a practice that has gained some traction in our health-crazed, therapeutic culture. And while there are physical and emotional benefits to going without food for a period of time, the real motive and blessing is spiritual. As we learn from those who have gone before us -- like Elijah, Jesus, and the early Church -- fasting is an exercise that awakens our spiritual senses and humbles us before Almighty God. Like the other disciplines, fasting is not easy and may be painful, especially at first. However, exercising our spirit by abstaining from what we so often take for granted will remind us of the source of every good and perfect gift.

While fasting from food is the norm, there are other things from which we can fast. Practices or activities such as reading, shopping, music, TV, even talking or sex (1 Corinthians 7:5), can be abstained for a few hours, or even days. The focus is not to punish the body, much less to call attention to our fast (Matthew 6:16-18). Rather, the point is to go without something we need or desire, namely food, so that we can remember the One from whom all blessings come.

Here are some thoughts to remember if you feel led to spend a day, or part of day, in a fast from food.

Choose a time to abstain from food for the sole purpose of humbling yourself before God. (If you are a nursing mother or ill, it is highly recommended that you not fast from food.)

Do not eat a large meal before you fast thinking, "I'll stock up for the fast." Rather, eat a light meal.

Begin your fast with Scripture, silence, and prayer, speaking to the Lord about your desire to learn and to grow.

You might want to keep a journal through your fast, noting, for example, what questions or decisions you are facing, how you are reminded that the world is too much with you, and how the hunger pangs affect you.

Be sure to drink lots of liquids during your time of fasting!

When you have hunger pangs, speak to the Lord about what you are experiencing.

Pay attention to what the Lord may be showing you. Remember: it is when we are weak that we often notice how strong he is.

End your fast with a light meal, thanking the Lord for what you have experienced.

See previous exercises:

Introduction to Exercising the Spirit

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Exercising the Spirit: Silence

Exercising the Spirit: Meditation

Exercising the Spirit: Breath Prayer

Got Your Spiritual Trainer?

Exercising the Spirit: Generosity

Exercising the Spirit: Hospitality

Sun, 27 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0500

To a disciple who was attempting forms of spirituality that bordered on the bizarre the Teacher was heard to say, "Holiness is a mysterious thing: The greater it is, the less it is noticed."

(Anthony de Mello)

An 18th century icon of the Holy Trinity was painted by the Russian artist Andrei Rublev. It was inspired by the mysterious but wonderful story of hospitality found in the Torah (Genesis 18). As you may recall, three strangers appear at the home of Abraham and Sarah and are treated royally, as if they were God himself. And that, in fact, is what the Genesis narrative and Rublev's painting wants us to see.

Hospitality, as practiced by Abraham and Sarah, blesses God and in turn brings a surprise blessing to us!

Hospitality is indeed a lost art, practice, and virtue. Our lives are busy -- full of noise, crowded with appointments, ballgames, deadlines, and numerous church activities. Hospitality takes time and an unhurried presence, something few, if any of us, have these days. Tragically, when hospitality is eliminated or neglected, the Trinity's presence is missed!

The good news is that hospitality can, and must, be reclaimed. Call it what you will, but we must slow down, creating "down time," "family time," and "unhurried leisure" so that hospitality becomes possible. This will not be easy and will likely require a reprioritizing of our busy calendars. While hospitality takes great intentionality and can be costly, the rewards are without measure-far greater than we can ever imagine! Consider what the Hebrew writer said when he wrote:

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2 NRS)

This passage confirms what the Genesis 18 story highlights: when we welcome guests or strangers into our midst and treat them with kindness, we are blessing God. Seldom will we recognize with our physical eyes a guest as the face of God; however, in a very real sense this is reality, the meaning behind the sacred symbol of hospitality.

The story of Abraham and Sarah declares another mystery about hospitality. That is, as we show hospitality to others and seek to bless them, we are in turn blessed by God. Make no mistake: I am not saying we practice hospitality so that we might benefit. However, God is present in each person -- even in the least and the last ... perhaps more so! Unexpectedly, God also uses the guest to become in a sense the host -- that is, the one who often brings the greater blessing. This happens in Genesis 18 as the Three not only are served, but serve, bringing laughter into the home by the long-awaited promise of a child.

Like all the disciplines, hospitality is a spiritual exercise and one that takes effort and practice. But, hospitality is more than worth any effort we might exert, for not only will it strengthen our spiritual muscles, it will also bring a delightful blessing to God, others, and ourselves.

In closing, here a few concrete exercises you might want to try as a means by which you can grow in the grace of hospitality.

Look for a guest at church and invite them to lunch, asking them to tell their story and share yours as well. As Eugene Peterson points out in his fascinating book Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places, "Stories are verbal acts of hospitality."

Have an Ice Cream party in your neighborhood, asking each person to bring their favorite flavor.

Be a mentor for a youth.

Volunteer to be a guide for recently arrived foreigners in your city.

Host an exchange student or volunteer to take an exchange student on a tour of your favorite site.

Invite someone that you don't know well into your home for a meal or dessert.

Last-but certainly not least-seek to "be present" to each person you encounter. Simply being aware of others, looking them in the eye, and welcoming a stranger into your space may be the most important and neglected hospitable practice of all!

See previous exercises:

The Spirit of Generosity

Got Your Spiritual Trainer?

Introduction to Exercising the Spirit

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Exercising the Spirit: Silence

Exercising the Spirit: Meditation

Exercising the Spirit: Breath Prayer

Exercising the Spirit: Generosity

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0500

One day Nasrudin asked a wealthy man for some money.

"What do you want it for?"

"To buy an elephant."

"If you have no money, you will not be able to maintain the elephant."

"I asked for money," said Nasrudin, "not advice."

(Anthony de Mello)

In our culture of "zero sum gain," where the bottom line is the bottom line, the story above sounds like foolishness. After all, who hasn't heard the adage, "Give a man a fish and he'll be hungry tomorrow; teach him to fish and he'll never grow hungry" While pragmatic advise, it simply is not the gospel.

Jesus said it this way, building on the Old Testament plea to be generous.

"Give to those who ask, and don't turn away from those who want to borrow" (Matthew 5:42).

"Be generous and lend them [the poor] whatever they need" (Deuteronomy 15:8).

When Jesus (and Moses) uttered these words they were likely shocking. After all, the economic culture of first century Palestine was made up of, primarily, working class peasants with very little expendable income. So, when Jesus said, "Give to those who ask," they wouldn't have been thinking, "Will this effect my 401-k?" but rather about the next meal on the table. Nonetheless, Jesus' call—then and now—was to be generous, regardless of how the recipient might use the gift or how much we might have in the bank.

And the reason for such counter-cultural, strange advice?

The gracious generosity of God, seen most beautifully in the Incarnation!

It is simply amazing to think that God gave the greatest gift of all, his very nature, with the possibility of eternal life forever, and many—far too many—would refuse or squander it. And yet, such is the nature of radical-no-strings-attached generosity!

That's not to say God wants his generosity to be spurned or not appreciated. And of course when we seek to be generous, we desire in our heart of hearts that nothing be wasted. The real bottom line, however, is we are to be generous, not expecting anything in return, simply because it's part of what it means to be a child of God. As we seek to put on this virtue of generosity, not expecting any immediate reward or even to be thanked, we give the Spirit space to conform us into Christ's generous identity, to the glory and praise of Father-God.

So, how can we foster a more generous way of life? Like the other disciplines, it takes practice—that is, a willingness to start where we are with hopes that, through time, grace, and experience, generosity will become a way of life. Here are a few practical suggestions that you might try on for size.

Pack a few non-perishable snack-bags, keeping them in your car and looking for opportunities to give them to those in need. (See Heartlight's article on care bags and also the recommendations of our readers for things to put in them.)

Start a missions envelope, putting in, for example, 10% of any unexpected income (i.e., bonuses, tax refund, birthday gift, etc.). Then, every six months (and/or when opportunities arise for spontaneous giving) make an anonymous gift to the missionary of your choice.

Make a list of your blessings, thanking God for the experiences, people, and things that are tangible reminders of God's generosity in your life. The idea here is, as we remember how generous God has been with us, we can't help but look for ways to show our generosity to others!

It could be said that generosity gives birth to simplicity and simplicity makes generosity possible. One practice that can foster both is this: when you receive a new shirt, or dress, or book, give one away. Not only can this be a blessing to others but it can be a tangible, though perhaps small, step of not accumulating more.

Invite someone to lunch, coffee, or over to your home for a light snack. It doesn't have to be extravagant or expensive. Remember, it's the [generous] thought that counts!

See previous exercises:

Got Your Spiritual Trainer?

Introduction to Exercising the Spirit

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Exercising the Spirit: Silence

Exercising the Spirit: Meditation

Exercising the Spirit: Breath Prayer

Got Your Spiritual Trainer?

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Said a disappointed disciple, "Why has my life yielded no fruit?" "Could it be that you lacked the courage to shake the tree?" said the Trainer benignly.
(Anthony deMello)

In our health-crazed and image-driven society, having a "fitness trainer" has picked up momentum. The idea seems to be that if you want to have a fit and firm "bod," a tough but caring guide is needed to provide a training regimen -- to encourage, and to hold accountable.

While there is profit in physical training (and in having a fitness trainer), as Paul writes to Timothy, spiritual fitness should be the top priority of a Christian (1 Timothy 4:8). And just as some have found it helpful to have a physical trainer, those who desire to grow spiritually, may find it beneficial to have a Spiritual Trainer.

Having a Spiritual Trainer is actually not new. Joshua had Moses. Elisha had Elijah. Naomi had Ruth. Timothy had Paul. And, of course, the Apostles had Jesus. The truth is we all need help; we all need the guidance, friendship and, yes, sometimes tough love from someone who has been around the block a time or two. The sad, reality, however, is that in our individualistic, "pull yourself up by your own bootstraps" mentality, very few of us have a Spiritual Trainer (also known as a Soul Friend, Guide, or, by the classical term, Spiritual Director).

Unfortunately, many Christians are too proud to ask for help; to seek out a wise and seasoned guide to aid on the journey. Equally troublesome, those who should be able to serve in the role as a Spiritual Trainer are either too busy, or immature, or have seldom had a Trainer either. Also problematic is that expectations of such a relationship are often unrealistic. That is, those wanting a Trainer can have naive expectations; often wanting an immediate "fix" and/or thinking one's Guide has all the answers. Also, those who are willing to serve as a Trainer can sometimes assume their role is to be "Answer Man" or the one able to fix all the problems.

Despite these and other potential pitfalls, the discipline of having a Spiritual Trainer or Director may well be the most needed, and perhaps neglected, spiritual exercise of all. Of course, the Spirit of Christ is ultimately the one who trains, directs, and provides the growth. All good trainers who are worth their salt know this innately. However, we just can't underestimate how crucial it is to have someone ask us questions about our spiritual life (e.g., How's your prayer life really going? How are you treating your wife/husband?), as well as the gentle reminder of what we may be missing, either the fruits or delusions.

How does one go about finding a Spiritual Trainer?

Ask
Ask the Spirit to open your eyes to someone you know -- or perhaps a friend of a friend -- who might help you in your spiritual journey.

Seek
Don't become discouraged or give up if no one comes to mind or even if the person you'd like to companion you says, "No." It may be that, for whatever reason, there is other work you need to attend to first and/or that God has someone else in mind. In addition to praying, you might want to ask a respected, older person if they know of someone who could be a Spiritual Trainer for you. If this proves unsuccessful, you might contact another church or nearby monastery.

Find
God is good to provide the person you need, when you need it. If the person is a trained Director, they will know what to do, how often to meet, etc. If they have never served in this role, set out some mutual expectations. For example, most have found it helpful to meet monthly for one hour. For more information on what should happen in a Spiritual Training session, you might want to read Trustworthy Companions.

And what actually should a Spiritual Trainer do?

Some of you who are reading this article may already be functioning in this role, whether formally or informally. Here are a few things you can do if you sense a prompting that you are (or could be) a Trainer for others.

Ask
Ask the Lord if there is someone who might need you to be their Spiritual Trainer and tell him you want to be ready, if that is his will. There are people longing for someone to approach them and say, "I see Christ at work in you and if you need me, or just want someone to talk with, I'm here to listen and pray for you." If that seems too pushy, you might consider spending a season of prayer about this, asking the Lord to bring to you someone who could profit from your guidance. This is dangerous and risky, so watch out if you choose this approach!

Seek
If and when you meet with someone in this capacity, you might want to begin by seeking out what the other person wants or needs. If you don't think you can help, or feel that someone else would be better, say so! You are neither the Savior nor the Ultimate Trainer; Christ is! What you might say is, "While we meet, you can talk about anything and I will listen-not only to what you are saying but to what the Spirit may be saying. That is, I'm not here to fix you but rather to seek Christ with you, realizing he is always in our midst." It may become apparent that you are not the one to help or that there is psychological or physical assistance that is needed. If that is the case, do not hesitate to speak about this.

Find
It should go without saying but no one should serve in the role as Spiritual Trainer or Director who does not have their own wise Guide. We all have blind spots and are in need of guidance and training, especially if in roles of leadership. We remember the admonition, "He who thinks he stands, take heed, lest he fall." As you meet with your Trainee (and usually once a month for an hour is adequate), a big part of your role is to find, and point out, those places of grace, or self-deception, that may be overlooked.

Without doubt, the call is to grow up into Christ and this involves not only grace but intentional, disciplined living that can be enhanced by a spiritual trainer.

See previous exercises:

Introduction to Exercising the Spirit

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Exercising the Spirit: Silence

Exercising the Spirit: Meditation

Exercising the Spirit: Breath Prayer

Exercising the Spirit: Breath Prayer

Sun, 28 May 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Said one traveler to another:

"I have come a great distance to listen to the words of the Teacher, but I find his words quite ordinary."

"Don't listen to his words. Listen to his message."

"How does one do that?"

"Take hold of a sentence that he says. Shake it well till all the words drop off. What is left will set your heart on fire."

Anthony deMello

When it comes to the spiritual life, few would deny that prayer is an essential discipline. But what, actually, is prayer and how does one practice it? In simple terms, prayer is communication with God that is carried on through words, thoughts, and images. How one prays is another question, for as Lee Anne Payne wisely states, "prayer is the school from which no one graduates."

While prayer is a profound mystery and often feels like hard work, I'd like to suggest that our prayer lives can be enriched (and unburdened) by comparing it to breathing. In fact, this analogy has been suggested for centuries by our brothers in the Greek and Russian Orthodox churches in a prayer exercise known simply as "Breath Prayer." It derives this name because the words for breath and Sprit are very similar in the biblical languages. More importantly, the practice of this kind of prayer enables us in a very real, though perhaps mystical, way to experience what Paul had in mind when he says the Spirit prays in us (Romans 8:26-27).

As Marjorie Thompson points out in her excellent book, "Soul Feast," the oldest and most practiced breath prayer combines Jesus' teaching about prayer in Luke 18 with the earliest confession of the church:

"Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."

The thought behind the so-called "Jesus Prayer" is that as one recites this prayer, the very depth of our being is penetrated and authentic Christ-like transformation takes place. Here are a few practical suggestions that some have found helpful in easing into this type of prayer.

Begin by asking for help from the Holy Spirit, remembering that it is only by the work of the Spirit that we can proclaim, "Jesus is Lord."

Next, become aware of your breathing for several deep breaths in and out. You might want to quietly give thanks to God for the breath of life, even though you are mostly unaware of this life-giving gift.

Silently say the first part of the prayer as you breathe in: "Lord Jesus Christ."

Do this several times, imagining that you are breathing in the love, joy, and peace of the Lord Jesus.

After this, become aware of your breathing out and as you do so, silently say, "Have mercy on me." Imagine all the impurities, fears, sins that you are putting in the way of God's holy presence.

For those who are visually oriented, some suggest that this type of prayer can be enhanced by gazing at a picture of Christ like the one to the right -- a recreation based upon the shroud of Turin image.

The great thing about Breath Prayer is that you can do it anywhere, anytime, and in any posture. (By the way, where did we get off thinking that the only posture for prayer was bowed heads and closed eyes ... but that is the topic for another time!) As we practice this important exercise, not only will our hearts be refreshed and our spiritual eyes opened, we may find that Paul's admonition to "pray at all times in the Spirit" is not impossible but rather a life-giving joy!

See previous exercises:

Introduction to Exercising the Spirit

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Exercising the Spirit: Silence

Exercising the Spirit: Meditation

Exercising the Spirit: Meditation

Sun, 23 Apr 2006 00:00:00 -0500

Most westerners tend to associate happiness with money, sex, or power -- preferably all three! And while each of these is not inherently bad, in fact they are gifts from God, portions of Scripture, the life of Jesus, and a strange lot of so-called mystics point to another source of happiness -- meditation!

As with the other classical spiritual disciplines, meditation cuts against the grain of living in the material world and may seem like a waste of time. But those who are trained in meditation will reap a harvest of happiness -- of peace, joy, and love -- that will be a blessing to many.

What is meditation? Quite simply, meditation is an intentional act of simplicity. It's not hard to understand why this is seldom practiced. Most of us live scattered lives, pulled in numerous directions by forces of work, family, church, recreation, friends, and so on. In addition, most people -- Christians included -- are always thinking ... thinking ... thinking. And while thinking is a good, God-given trait, too much of it -- whether replaying tapes from past conversations, planning tomorrow's activities, or day dreaming about the future -- often leads to a complicated and unhappy life. Thus the need for the simple act of meditation!

Meditation is not a panacea to our cultural or personal search for meaning. Meditation is certainly more than a theoretical admonition to simplicity. However, meditation is practical, easy, and, best of all, a means to happiness, a life with and for God.

There are numerous things to say about meditation and Psalm 1 provides some practical and pertinent counsel:

And on his law they mediate day and night. (Psalm 1:2)

Meditate on the Teachings of God

When it comes to meditation, it is important to remember, "less is more." In other words, you might consider easing into meditation by reading a short narrative from the gospel. When meditating, it is best to read slowly, perhaps pausing after each sentence. Don't be afraid to sit in silence for a few minutes, asking the Lord to help you to absorb it all. Using your imagination to fill out the picture can also be helpful -- e.g., from the story in Luke 5:1-11 you might ask, "What might Jesus have been teaching the crowds? What might it smelled like, felt like, to be in the water or in the boat with Jesus?" After allowing yourself to enter the story by using as many of your senses as possible, many have found it helpful to quietly repeat one of Jesus' sayings -- e.g., his admonition to Peter: "Do not be afraid." As you repeat this phrase and allow each word to seep in, not only can we enter the story but we likely will find ourselves being challenged as well.

The point is, the teachings from Scripture are a treasure-house of material on which to meditate. As we "eat the scroll" as the angel admonished John (Revelation 19:18), the Spirit calms and simplifies our spirit, leading to a real sense of God's presence, the source of true happiness.

Mediate in Community

In our narcisstic culture that encourages us to look out after number 1, we can easily overlook the benefit of community. The reality is, meditating with others -- whether with a group at church, with a spouse or a couple of friends -- can be one of the richest, unifying experiences we can do. Meditation in community can keep us awake, accountable, and encouraged as we share our "aha moments," questions, and doubts. That's not to say meditating on Scripture can't be done alone; rather, as we mediate and pray with others the truth of Jesus' promise rings true: "For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them." (Matthew 18:20 NRS)

Mediate through the Day

The Psalmist knew how fleeting happiness could be. Therefore, not only does he tell us to meditate on Scripture and tells us with whom to meditate, he also points to the reality that meditation is to be a way of life. In other words, meditation is much more than getting alone and being quiet each morning and evening in order to read our Bibles -- important as that is. Rather, the point seems to be that meditation, like all the spiritual exercises, is about cultivating a lifestyle of awareness to the reality of God in our midst.

Anthony de Mello tells of a conversation between a teacher and his student that serves as an important conclusion to why we meditate.

Student -- Is there anything I can do to make myself spiritual?

Teacher -- As little as you can do to make the sun rise in the morning.

Student -- Then of what use is meditation or the other spiritual exercises?

Teacher -- To make sure you are not asleep when the sun begins to rise.

See previous exercises:

Introduction to Exercising the Spirit

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Exercising the Spirit: Silence

Exercising the Spirit: Silence

Sun, 26 Mar 2006 00:00:00 -0600

Image courtesy RedGlow82

When a man whose marriage was in trouble sought his advice, the Master said, "You must learn to listen to your wife."

The man took his advice to heart and returned after a month to say that he had learned to listen to every word his wife was saying.

Said the Master with a smile, "Now go home and listen to every word she isn't saying."

by Anthony de Mellow

We live in a society that does not value or encourage silence. When is the last time you heard someone say, "Let's share some silence?" This kind of statement is rarely heard today, even in church settings or among the most intimate of friends or family.

There are a host of reasons why most Americans avoid silence at all costs. As the story above by Anthony de Mello indicates, most of us fail to realize how important listening and silence are until conflict or malaise surfaces in a relationship. If we are attentive, we can sense "things aren't just right" and get back to the important discipline of deep listening -- not only to what others say, but also to the resounding silence that exists between the words. Of course, we can easily "turn up the noise" -- watching more TV, keeping the iPod going while exercising, and staying ever busier at work -- doing anything to avoid being still and silent.

What is true in our relationship with others is even truer in our friendship with God. If we do not make time to respond to God's invitation to "be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10), then our relationship with him will drift; we'll become like two ships passing in the night.

Being silent is likely one of the most difficult spiritual exercises we can attempt, at least initially. However, those who are trained in the discipline and grace of silence will testify that not only does silence serve as a balm to wounded relationships, the practicing of silence does wonders to prevent spiritual sluggishness or apathy.

"For God alone my soul waits in silence ...." (Psalm 62:1 & Psalm 62:7)

In Psalm 62, David addresses the how's and why's of this important, but seldom practiced discipline. He actually addresses it twice, first in verse 1 and than again in verse 7. Let's take a look at these passages in reverse order.

"Wait in Silence"

One of the reasons why silence is often avoided is because we do not like to wait for anything! We value instant gratification and do everything we can to avoid or speed up waiting. We consider waiting time to actually be wasted time! How easily we can become frustrated, antsy, or downright angry if we must wait in traffic, in the grocery line, or, heaven forbid, for a church activity to finish! David at prayer, however, paints another picture. During seasons, or even moments, of waiting, we can be drawn to silence; and when drawn to silence, we just may be able hear the "still, small voice of God."

"My Soul"

Most developed cultures of today live increasingly more compartmentalized lives. We have our business life, church life, home life, exercise life, hobby life, and so on. And while each of these dimensions can be good, the norm is to live compartmentally and busily in each of these arenas, often with very little overlap between them. The result is our soul -- that central core of our being -- gets frazzled, dazed, and torn as we are pulled to the point of weariness in different directions. The Holy Spirit who longs to dwell within us points us through his servant David's words to another, albeit counter-cultural way of living and integrating our lives. This is the way of silence. The Spirit calls to our spirit to enter this silence so that we might live holistic, holy, and centered lives. As we practice this important discipline, slowly and gradually, we become increasingly aware of God's presence and grace. This presence and grace then calls us to love others.

"For God Alone"

Israel's most repeated sin was idolatry. (If I am honest with myself, I recognize this is my most repeated sin as well!) It's not that the people of God, then or now, stopped worshiping Yahweh. Rather, they worshipped him AND the other gods -- just to hedge their bets you might say. Before you discount this as primitive, consider how you may be tempted to do the same -- following Christ, no doubt, but also depending on mutual funds, family, and military might to provide peace, security, and happiness. Again, silence is invaluable in exposing our secret sins and lack of trust. As our soul waits in silence for God alone, many distracting thoughts, images, memories, and secret desires will surface to our conscious mind. However, if we will stay with the silence, allowing the Holy Spirit within us and our own impatient spirit to raise "our stuff" into our consciousness, it will eventually pass on by, like debris flowing down a river. As our soul waits on God alone, he will provide not only peace and joy and rest, but also the ever-increasing awareness of his presence.

A few "silent" exercises:

Five minute "sit" before (and/or after) reading Scripture. In this exercise, we are consciously stilling our soul so that we might hear the Word of God. If the silence is too distracting or "noisy," some have found it helpful to silently repeat one of the many names for God.

Silent walk. Whether during the day or at night, by oneself or with a friend, a silent walk can be a wonderful time of centering oneself on God an his presence with us. As a suggestion, if you walk with someone else, you could agree to walk for the first 30 minutes in complete silence, followed by a time of sharing what each "heard."

Fasting from noise - no radio, TV, movie. What would it be like to take one day off from external noise for the sake of listening to God?

Sharing silence in community. Many have found sharing silence some what easier and enhanced with others. What if worship leaders, preachers, teachers, small group leaders, pray-ers, prefaced or ended their words with the phrase, "Let's share a few minutes of silence together with each other and God"?

Weekend retreat to a monastery. For those who might want to explore being silent for an extended time (or just find it impossible to be still at home or church), a trip to a monastery can provide a dedicated place for silence, meditation, and prayer.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

See previous exercises:

Introduction to Exercising the Spirit

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Exercising the Spirit: Lectio

Thu, 09 Feb 2006 00:00:00 -0600

There was once a man seeking to understand the meaning of the Bible. He read and studied and consulted with learned scholars. Nothing seemed to satisfy his restless soul. Finally he journeyed to the desert to meet with a wise man, known for his keen Bible knowledge.

"Would you give me a word of wisdom on how to read and understand the Bible?" the man asked the Teacher.

The Teacher took a sheet of paper and wrote a single word on it: "Awareness."

The visitor was perplexed. "That's too brief. Would you please expand on it a bit?"

The Teacher took the paper and wrote: "Awareness, awareness, awareness."

"But what does that mean?" asked the traveler helplessly.

The Teacher reached for the paper and wrote, "Awareness, awareness, awareness means AWARENESS."

When it comes to spiritual growth, most people are aware of the importance of the Bible. After all, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17 NRS)

The difficulty we face is similar to the man in the story above, told by Anthony deMello. That is, many of us think if we just "knew" more about the Bible (more facts and figures, more doctrine and theology, a better understanding of history and grammar) or at least knew the right question to ask, we would have the secret key to unlock the door to spiritual growth.

But this misses the point, for Scripture is not something we must master in order gain its meaning; it is given to master, question, and train its readers! That's not to say the Bible can't be read to gain insight into history, theology, or church practice. Rather, its primary purpose is to wake us up, to make us more aware of the loving presence and holy otherness of God.

For centuries the most practiced spiritual discipline and most trusted tool in doing this was Lectio Divina. Literally, these two words mean "sacred reading." It's a slow, contemplative way of reading which enables the Bible to become a means of union with God -- a means by which its readers are made aware.

Of course to listen, to really hear, means we must become silent. The problem is we live in a noisy world and cannot hear quiet sounds very well. Lectio Divina requires that we quiet down in order to become aware of God's still, small voice.

Here are a couple of examples of using Lectio Divina personally and also in a small group setting.

Individual Lectio:

Read a passage or short paragraph from Scripture (two to three times—at a normal rate, slowly, and preferably from another translation).
Choose a word or phrase or symbol from your reading that 'connects' with you. Sit in silence for 5-10 minutes, turning this word or phrase or image over in your mind. The image of the camel chewing its cud has been a symbol of the believer pondering the word of God. We quietly chew on this word, repeating it, allowing it to interact with our thoughts, hopes, memories, and desires.
Speak to the Lord, thanking him for his Word and/or asking for his guidance to live out its message.

Group Lectio (3-4 people):

Begin with 3-5 minutes of silence.
Read a short text out loud, asking the group to listen for the word or phrase that touches the heart.
Sit together in silence for 3-5 minutes. Meditate on the word or phrase, repeating it silently as it makes its way from your head to your heart.
Share the word with the group.
Read the text again, ideally by another person and in another translation.
Sit together in silence, pondering this question: How is Christ the Word touching your own experience/life?
Share what you have seen or heard.
Read the text a 3rd time.
Sit in silence, asking yourself this question: What is Christ calling you to do or become this week?
Share with the group.

Pray for person on the right.

© Scott Owings