Resting

Ministerial intern Tim House shared a story about the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Sunday. He told about a time when King was under great duress, receiving death threats daily. He feared not only for his own safety, but for the lives of his wife and children.

One night, sitting at his kitchen table, he received a phone call. It was another death threat. In that moment of fear, King prayed. It was what he knew to do when fear, doubt and pain invaded his consciousness. In his prayer, he felt deep assurance that he was not alone. His companion on his journey for justice was Jesus. And that sense of companionship was a source of courage and steadfastness for him the rest of his life.

I am thinking this morning about a woman I knew who was facing the last weeks of her life after a long struggle with cancer. She was sad to be leaving her life and family. And she was troubled. For a long time, she said, she had tried to believe in God. But no matter how she came at her struggle, she could not feel a sense of assurance or companionship. As her ability to concentrate enough to read or write diminished, she spent long nights thinking about her future, trying to will herself to a belief in something "more."

Ginna was poet and a swimmer. We talked about the sheer joy and release she found in swimming, in moving through the water, feeling upheld as she turned onto her back, floating, and looking at the summer sky. One of her favorite places to swim was a spring-fed pond near her house. Swimming across the familiar pond, she knew the spots where the water turned suddenly cool--the spots where the springs were entering the larger body.

One late summer afternoon, when she was no longer able to leave her bed, I offered her a guided meditation that had her imagine herself back in her pond, swimming, floating, looking up at the summer sky. Appealing to the poet in her, I invited her to consider the water in which she floated, found rest and joy. Imagine, I suggested, that the water is the love that surrounds you, the love you feel from your beloved husband, children and friends. The joy and awe you feel in nature. Feel it support you and comfort you as you rest in that body of Love. Now, consider what feeds that Love, what is the Source of the Love that holds you so gently...Like the springs that feed the pond, imagine there is an invisibile but perceivable Source of Love that eternally feeds the love in your life...Trust that there is a Source of Love...Feel it support you, hold you, comfort you. Rest in it...

When the meditation was over, she opened her eyes and they were brilliant. Perhaps I imagined it, but a look of peace and happiness suffused her face. Her words confirmed her countenance. She had found an access point, a metaphor, a way in to something that comforted her and gave her peace. She discovered a source of courage and comfort that was with her for the remaining days of her life.

At critical times in our lives, we ache for something or someone to lean on. Some unchanging truth that will be our companion, our guide, our comfort or restoration to joy and peace. But we need not--and should not--wait until a crisis arises to learn how to pray or name what holds us. Taking up a spiritual practice, learning to pray or meditate now, will help us be skillful in meeting the difficult days of our lives.

I invite you to join us for Monday evening practice periods through February at 7:10-7:30 or 7:40-8:00 pm in the chapel at First Church in Boston to noursih your spiritual practice. If you want to talk about your spiritual practice, I will have four 15-minute interview sessions on Mondays from 8:00-9:00. Just add you name to the sign-up sheet on Mondays, or email me for an appointment: rosemary@firstchurchboston.org

Thanks for reading this morning's post. I wish you well as you endeavor to integrate a spiritual practice in your life.

Beginning Again

So, all the good intentions are in place. Now what happens?

Choosing a spiritual practice is a little like perusing the beautiful fresh vegetables and fruits piled high in the market: there are plenty of healthy things to choose from, so pick something that appeals to you. Once you prepare and bite into it, you may find it is not quite right for you and you can choose again. My hope is that you may discover it is just what you were hungering for...

Ministerial colleague Scott Alexander defines a spiritual practice as "any activity or attitude in which you can regularly and intentionally engage, [emphasis added] and which significantly deepens the quality of your relationship with the miracle of life both within and beyond you" (Everyday Spiritual Practice, Skinner House Books, 1999). He distinguishes everyday spiritual practice from something like a hobby that you love and do from time to time when you feel like it. The difference? Intentionality, regularity, and depth.

I'm not a master at spiritual practice. But I know that I long to incorporate a way to quiet my mind and energy enough to listen for what I would call the truer voice of my heart to speak. When I put off my practice because I'd rather sleep 20 minutes later, I lose. I lose the space that is created around my heart during mindfulness meditation or morning prayer. I need that heart space to unclench from the anxiety that can bear down from a busy schedule, a hurtful remark, or the daily news. When I engage in regular spiritual practice, I have more room in which to live my life with balance and compassion. I would wish this expansion of balance and compassion for everyone.

To support your incorporating spiritual practice regularly into your life, we are making a quiet space available in the chapel at First Church in Boston on Mondays from 7-8:00 pm between January 19 and February 23, roughly a 40-day period in which to begin, renew, or deepen your practice in community. Here's how it will work:

• The chapel will be set up with tables and chairs facing the wall for writing or reading. Please bring your own journal and pen. There will be a selection of reading materials available or you may bring your own.

• There will be cushions on the floor as well as chairs for those who wish to sit for silent prayer or meditation.

• Doors will open at 7:00. There will be two 20-minute practice periods.

• At 7:10, the first 20-minute practice period will begin. At 7:30 a bell will sound, indicating the end to the first practice period. At that time, you may leave or take a break and return for the second 20-minute practice period, which will run from 7:40-8:00. Those who cannot make the 7:10 start of the first period may join at 7:40.

• The doors will be closed during the practice period, and you may not enter once the practice period has begun. You may leave quietly at any time during the period, making every effort not to disturb others.

So that's what I've been thinking about this morning. Thanks for reading along. If you have thoughts in response, you can post comments here or email me at rosemary@firstchurchboston.org

Winter Feast for the Soul

I don't recall how I first heard about Winter Feast for the Soul, but I do know the idea caught my attention and held it. Hmm, I thought, what a great framework for supporting one another in doing our spiritual practice--whatever form that practice takes.

It's early enough in the New Year to still be thinking about what you want to manifest in 2009...Two of my "let's try this again" thoughts each new year are: get in better shape and deepen my spiritual practice. So, once again, I'm committing to go to the gym at least three times a week. I use the context of a gym because I know I need to be in an environment that will support my doing the hard, sweaty work of building cardiovascular and muscle strength and endurance. It's pretty much the same for me when it comes to spiritual practice.

If you find you need support and an environment in which to fulfill your commitment to a practice, then this Winter Feast period may be helpful. Here's what I'm imagining:

* In my sermon on Sunday, January 11th, I'll be speaking about what is a spiritual practice, what are the challenges that might arise in practice, and what are the gifts available in practice.

* After the service, Zen teacher Josh Bartok (who leads sitting mediation at First Church Boston every Tuesday night at 6:00) will join me to answer your questions about starting or strengthening your meditation practice. We will also talk about other forms of spiritual practice, including prayer, journaling, reading, walking, and more.

* Every Monday evening during the Winter Feast period there will be a space open at First Church where you can come spend 40 minutes meditating, praying or journaling together with others who are dedicating this time to their practice. The practice period will run from 7:10 to 7:50 (please arrive early so we may begin on time). Then, from 8-9:00, I will meet with those who have signed up for one of four 15-minute interview sessions available each Monday. These interviews are times when you can talk about how your practice is going and to ask questions that may have arisen for you.

* On Monday, February 23rd, we will come together for a closing ceremony. If I can figure out the technology (help is welcome!) we will tune in to the "official" Winter Feast closing ceremony that will be broadcast on the web. The time and further details will be posted in a later blog. But, right now, I'm thinking pot luck could be part of this event....

So, that's what I've been thinking about. Thanks for reading along. If you have thoughts in response, you can post comments here or email me at rosemary@firstchurchboston.org

Looking forward to sharing this Winter Feast for the Soul with you,

Rosemary