Tonight I found a guided Prayer of Examen that I had used a few years ago so I tried it again. The process of slowing down and reflecting on the past 24 hours, looking for the movement of God served to be an important reminder of the need for me to more actively explore different types of meditations.
I haven’t done the Prayer of Examen in quite a long time. I truly did enjoy and benefit from it in the past. It helped calm my mind front the busyness of the day when I did these evening prayers. I have used the Pray As You Go podcast (they also have an app) quite regularly for years, but I’ve typically used their Daily Prayer meditation in the mornings. They also have a few different options for Prayer of Examen … I am going to try out one of these during the evenings.
I used the Centering Prayer guided meditation from Dr. Chanequa. It was so healing and helpful. I have struggled with engaging with the Bible in the last few years, partly because when I read it I mostly hear echos of the “try harder, you’re a terrible person and will never be enough” lies I was taught when I was growing up. But this practice helped me connect with God’s love and how it is expressed in the Bible.
Katie …. I too struggled with Bible readings in the past because of the spiritually abuse and guilt-inducing interpretations of scripture to which I was repeatedly exposed. I like Lectio Divina specifically because there is no imposed “so-called correct” interpretation of what the Bible passage is saying.
One of my contemplative practices including reading a quote that spoke to me, and focusing in on what is it saying to me. I would like to offer this one for us today as I reflect on contemplation. “As often happens on the spiritual journey, we have arrived at the heart of a paradox: each time a door closes, the rest of the world opens up. All we need to do is stop pounding on the door that just closed, turn around-which puts the door behind us-and welcome the largeness of life that now lies open to our souls. The door that closed kept its from entering a room, but what now lies before its is the rest of reality.”
― Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation
I'm learning through this self-care journey to shut the door on my past ways of taking care of everything and everybody else, and instead walk in the doors of quietness for myself!!
For me, Lectio Divina or Visio Divina are always my "go to" contemplation practices that help my godly centering. I think I do it while I am paddle boarding, hence the need to be away from people's voices.
I facilitated a women's retreat and we delved into Mary & Martha through Luke 10 & John 11. Later, as I reflected on my day, I turned to an Examen practice. It was good.
Colleen, The retreat I facilitated over the weekend was transformative for everyone. The Holy Spirit ws touching many hearts. I am still reflecting on it.
It is so beautiful to be part of a group when the Holy Spirit touches many hearts at the same time…. Those moments are so good for the soul. They are also good for the Body of Christ
I’ve used all of Dr. Chanequa’s podcasts for meditation (including her Lectio Divina) several times in the past few months, and they are all wonderful!!! Dr. Chanequa’s guidance through all these practices is just amazing …. Her voice is calming and centering (Dr. Chanequa, I swear your voice in and of itself is an antidote to stress and chaos).
I got a day behind with this series, so I did this on Sunday (instead of Saturday).
Because I’ve only ever used a Lectio Divina practice in Ordinary Time, I wanted to see what it’s like to base this passage on a Palm Sunday theme. I used the Discerning Hearts Daily Lectio Divina podcast for Palm Sunday. It was lovely … what stood out to me was how the people improved to create a makeshift version of “rolling out the red carpet” to welcome Jesus. It wasn’t fancy, but it was heartfelt. It reminded me to “do what I can with what I have” to honor Jesus.
Colleen, I have missed some days in this Lenten study, and like you, I have caught up as I can. I feel that this community and Dr. Chanequa offer grace. We do what we can at the pace we can.
I didn’t use the guided meditations (one of my kids unusually woke up super early and was hanging out in my usual space of quiet and solitude 😅) but spent time reading Psalm 86 lectio divina-style and a phrase from verse 11, “unite my heart [to fear your name]” is what stood out to me. This spoke to me about integration and wholeness, where my goals and desires are unified with God’s best for me and the world.
John 15:4 has been my refrain these past couple of days. As we enter this special week leading to Resurrection Sunday, I delve into this verse.. "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (NIV)
"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me."(Message Version)
Tonight I found a guided Prayer of Examen that I had used a few years ago so I tried it again. The process of slowing down and reflecting on the past 24 hours, looking for the movement of God served to be an important reminder of the need for me to more actively explore different types of meditations.
I haven’t done the Prayer of Examen in quite a long time. I truly did enjoy and benefit from it in the past. It helped calm my mind front the busyness of the day when I did these evening prayers. I have used the Pray As You Go podcast (they also have an app) quite regularly for years, but I’ve typically used their Daily Prayer meditation in the mornings. They also have a few different options for Prayer of Examen … I am going to try out one of these during the evenings.
I used the Centering Prayer guided meditation from Dr. Chanequa. It was so healing and helpful. I have struggled with engaging with the Bible in the last few years, partly because when I read it I mostly hear echos of the “try harder, you’re a terrible person and will never be enough” lies I was taught when I was growing up. But this practice helped me connect with God’s love and how it is expressed in the Bible.
Katie …. I too struggled with Bible readings in the past because of the spiritually abuse and guilt-inducing interpretations of scripture to which I was repeatedly exposed. I like Lectio Divina specifically because there is no imposed “so-called correct” interpretation of what the Bible passage is saying.
One of my contemplative practices including reading a quote that spoke to me, and focusing in on what is it saying to me. I would like to offer this one for us today as I reflect on contemplation. “As often happens on the spiritual journey, we have arrived at the heart of a paradox: each time a door closes, the rest of the world opens up. All we need to do is stop pounding on the door that just closed, turn around-which puts the door behind us-and welcome the largeness of life that now lies open to our souls. The door that closed kept its from entering a room, but what now lies before its is the rest of reality.”
― Parker J. Palmer, Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation
I'm learning through this self-care journey to shut the door on my past ways of taking care of everything and everybody else, and instead walk in the doors of quietness for myself!!
Thank you Tiffany for this reminder of Parker Palmer's quote "each time a door closes, the rest of the world opens up"
Such a true statement..We may be missing blessings because we spend too much time at the door that has closed.
What a beautiful quote!!!! Thank you so much for sharing it, Dr. Tiffany! There is profound truth in this statement
Also Dr. Tiffany: what lovely imagery to apply this quote for closing the door to past ways of neglecting self-care
For me, Lectio Divina or Visio Divina are always my "go to" contemplation practices that help my godly centering. I think I do it while I am paddle boarding, hence the need to be away from people's voices.
I facilitated a women's retreat and we delved into Mary & Martha through Luke 10 & John 11. Later, as I reflected on my day, I turned to an Examen practice. It was good.
Sandra … this retreat sounds like it would be so transformative
Colleen, The retreat I facilitated over the weekend was transformative for everyone. The Holy Spirit ws touching many hearts. I am still reflecting on it.
It is so beautiful to be part of a group when the Holy Spirit touches many hearts at the same time…. Those moments are so good for the soul. They are also good for the Body of Christ
Amen..So true
I’ve used all of Dr. Chanequa’s podcasts for meditation (including her Lectio Divina) several times in the past few months, and they are all wonderful!!! Dr. Chanequa’s guidance through all these practices is just amazing …. Her voice is calming and centering (Dr. Chanequa, I swear your voice in and of itself is an antidote to stress and chaos).
I got a day behind with this series, so I did this on Sunday (instead of Saturday).
Because I’ve only ever used a Lectio Divina practice in Ordinary Time, I wanted to see what it’s like to base this passage on a Palm Sunday theme. I used the Discerning Hearts Daily Lectio Divina podcast for Palm Sunday. It was lovely … what stood out to me was how the people improved to create a makeshift version of “rolling out the red carpet” to welcome Jesus. It wasn’t fancy, but it was heartfelt. It reminded me to “do what I can with what I have” to honor Jesus.
Colleen, I have missed some days in this Lenten study, and like you, I have caught up as I can. I feel that this community and Dr. Chanequa offer grace. We do what we can at the pace we can.
I didn’t use the guided meditations (one of my kids unusually woke up super early and was hanging out in my usual space of quiet and solitude 😅) but spent time reading Psalm 86 lectio divina-style and a phrase from verse 11, “unite my heart [to fear your name]” is what stood out to me. This spoke to me about integration and wholeness, where my goals and desires are unified with God’s best for me and the world.
John 15:4 has been my refrain these past couple of days. As we enter this special week leading to Resurrection Sunday, I delve into this verse.. "Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." (NIV)
"Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you. In the same way that a branch can’t bear grapes by itself but only by being joined to the vine, you can’t bear fruit unless you are joined with me."(Message Version)