the sensation of life
There ain't no good thing ever dies I'm gonna take it with me when I go Tom Waits: Take It With Me I have often talked about 'repetition', as Ignatius of Loyola calls it, in these writings, e.g. "Where to start?", "The Kingdom of Heaven", and "Repetition". He invites us to revisit significant moments, "noting … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Revisiting a God moment
Christ is risen. Alleluia. This is my third offering of recorded prayer. It is a version from the post, “The only 3 prayers you need,” in which I suggested that presence, gratitude, and kindness comprise the three important prayers. This audio file is longer than the others. Here it is one complete recording. Presence - … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Presence, Gratitude, and Kindness
I have decided to start making some audio recordings of prayers, meditations, and reflective exercises. Sometimes, when I wake in the night, I wish there were some guided prayers I could listen to, to settle me, to connect me with God, to remind me that, beneath it all, all is well and I am safe. … Continue reading Audio Prayer: Simple opening to God’s presence
We are all meant to be mothers of God. What good is it to me if this eternal birth of the divine Son takes place unceasingly but does not take place within myself? And what good is it to me if Mary is full of grace if I am not also full of grace? What … Continue reading Annunciation
The other day the friend of a friend posted on Facebook. His wife is in remission from illness and he expressed gratitude for “prayer, pills, and positivity” – a nicely balanced message I thought. Amidst predominantly supportive responses, two comments got my goat: “Don’t forget to give the doctors and drugs some credit!!” and “Why not … Continue reading God’s fragile ego
There comes a time when God appears to change. This may happen many times in a life. It is not so much that God feels distant or absent, though this may also be the case. It is more that you look for God in the usual place, or you think of God in the usual … Continue reading When prayer stops working
Stop asking God for what you think you want. What God is waiting for is not a right conclusion to a matter but for our suppleness in falling into His hands for Him to work in us. Benedicta Ward, Discernment: A Rare Bird When I ask people what they say to God, they often tell … Continue reading Preemptive strikes upon the Divine
This year I have started out trying to live all my waking moments in conscious listening to the inner voice, asking without ceasing, “What, Father, do you desire said? What, Father, do you desire done this minute?” It is clear that this is what Jesus was doing all day every day. But it is not … Continue reading What shall we do?
I was lost – tired, overwhelmed, and angry. A wise woman once said to me that underneath anger is hurt or fear. I felt hurt. And frightened. I s(k)ulk through the night. In the early morning I leave resentment on the other side of the door. I find a way back to myself. I become my … Continue reading Finding depth
[See Parts 1, 2, 3, 4, inter-mission, & 5] Spiritual direction relocates authority from out there to in here. It’s about an authority that emerges from yielding not to an alien will but an affirming source … [We] are empowered, emancipated, to use the transforming energy we can exercise by acknowledging our dependence upon an unconditional source of affirmation.Rowan Williams: … Continue reading An affirming source (6): Empowered