Journey of the Soul Blog
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The Indwelling of God…Discovering the God Within
Most of us Christians, as children, were taught about the Incarnation - God breaking into the human story, being born to the Virgin Mary, and taking on human form. Then we, in turn, receive God through the sacraments, as we’re baptized, as we’re given Holy Communion or the Eucharist, and when we receive the Holy Spirit during confirmation - at least that’s how many of us have understood it. But, interestingly, according to the early Church, the word sacrament literally meant something sacred that’s been concealed. So, what is it that’s sacred, yet hidden from view? Might it be the “Indwelling of God”?
Why Everyone Needs a Prayer Chair
As the title of Anne Lamotte’s wonderful book “Help, Thanks, Wow” suggests, we humans, in the ordinariness of life, naturally gravitate toward prayer. When something bad happens, when we’re surprised by unexpected good fortune, or suddenly recognize God in the beauty of creation, prayers spontaneously arise in us. And we can build on this proclivity to give God a shout-out, and consciously cultivate a more intentional practice of prayer. There are many, many forms of prayer, and scores of books written about each of them. This article is more of a suggestion for deepening whatever type of prayer you choose. You can think of this piece as a promo for a special accessory that can enhance your prayer life. The accessory I’m going to promote is the “Prayer Chair.”
Prayer Beads - A New Approach
Across the ages, there has clearly been some mystical power imbued in the soothing sensation of running one’s fingers over a string of small beads. The derivation of the word “bead” comes from the Anglo-Saxon “bede” which translates to “prayer.”
The Healing Art of Forgiveness
We’ve all heard about the benefits associated with forgiveness - everything from lowered blood pressure, reduced levels of stress hormones in the blood, a boost to the immune system, even a reduction in physical pain and digestive issues. Given the benefits, why is forgiving so very hard to do?
Using a “Walking Stick” to Quiet Your Mind
Have you ever become a victim of your own negative thinking? Or been bullied by your emotions, worries, or stresses of life? In this article, we’ll share a simple but profound tool to help bring you back to the present moment, to, as Fr. Tom likes to say, “Calm the barking dogs,” and help to open your heart and mind to the presence of God within and to those around you who you just can’t see or appreciate when you’re stuck in this “Prison of Self.”
Does Anyone Understand What I’m Going Through?
When we’re suffering, when the pain of our particular challenge or loss takes up every bit of our energy, it often seems as though nobody understands what we’re going through. Surprisingly, instead of trying to avoid, deny, or anesthetize the pain, it’s helpful to recognize the typical “signposts” along the “Path of Suffering” to validate and honor our own experience and that of others. While no two journeys are alike, we can be assured that what we’re feeling is, in some way, what everyone has experienced or will experience, and that, in fact, we’re not alone.