SPIRITUAL PRACTICES and USING THEM IN DAILY LIFE
This is not a comprehensive listing of spiritual practices, but will give you a taste of what it is like to incorporate them into your daily life.
(1) Practice of presence
Often times we are preoccupied with all that is going on around us that we are not truly present to the moments as they pass by. The practice of presence is one that helps us to see inside each moment and enjoy the here and now. In order to practice being present, sit (or stand) with an awareness of your surroundings. Feel the chair supporting you from underneath. Feel the floor under your feet pressing against you. Close your eyes and be present to your arms, legs, fingers and toes. Fell the surrounding air against your skin. Breathe deeply and allow yourself to just be.
This practice can be used throughout your day and the places that your activities take you. Practice being present when you are speaking with and interacting with others. Use all of your senses to be present to the world around you. Make moments for being present throughout your day and invite God into these small little retreats with you.
(2) Practice of silence
The practice of silence may seem very simple, but is often challenging to be immersed within. In order to practice silence, find yourself in a comfortable place and position where there is little or no distraction and outside noise. Offer a prayer and invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen you towards the end of silence. Quiet your mind and body and allow your thoughts to melt away. Be still, be silent and just be.
(3) Centering prayer
The practice of centering prayer is fairly simple and yet can be very challenging and beneficial. Once again you find yourself in a comfortable spot, which is as free as possible from distraction. Choose a word or phrase that is sacred to you. The word doesn't necessarily need to be a "churchy" word; if it helps you may close your eyes. Repeat the sacred word or phrase mentally and allow yourself to drift to a state of being that is inviting to the divine presence. When your thoughts drift from being in unity with the divine, use your sacred word or phrase to bring you back to consciousness of the divine.
(4) Using Lectio Divina
Lectio Devina is a way to pray using the scriptures to speak to yourself. It can be done individually or as a group. For the purpose of group session 4, it will be done in a group setting. When using the scripture, one may use different versions of the scripture passage during each new reading, or use the same version.
(5) Praying with Icons
In this form of spiritual practice, we will want to use our sense of vision. Praying with icons is a way to quiet our minds and focus our attention on the divine. When we use icons to pray, we are not praying to the picture, we are praying to the Living God who has saved and redeemed us. Using icons can allow us to see God in the faces of everyday people whom we live, work and play with.
To begin, settle yourself and bring your icon with you, or sit in a spot where you are able to see your icon. Before beginning you may want to light a candle, however, this is not necessary. Begin to focus on the icon and offer a prayer to begin your practice. As you sit in thought focus on the icon and search for the divine. Notice the nuances in the colors and ask God what he is saying to you through the icon.
(6) Clearness
We will not be able to hold what is called a Clearness Committee in its actual framework, due to time and possibly the group's knowledge of the process. What we will do is to call on our inner wisdom as we pray for the question that was written down during the first session in our journals. The group may pair off or group off, or may remain as one large group depending upon the time allotted and the number of people who will want to speak. This session is voluntary, only those who wish to offer their initial questions will be asked to do so. No one will be forced or urged to share if they are not ready. The group may want to set a time frame for the practice, and ask one member to keep them aware of when the time is coming to a close.
This is not a comprehensive listing of spiritual practices, but will give you a taste of what it is like to incorporate them into your daily life.
(1) Practice of presence
Often times we are preoccupied with all that is going on around us that we are not truly present to the moments as they pass by. The practice of presence is one that helps us to see inside each moment and enjoy the here and now. In order to practice being present, sit (or stand) with an awareness of your surroundings. Feel the chair supporting you from underneath. Feel the floor under your feet pressing against you. Close your eyes and be present to your arms, legs, fingers and toes. Fell the surrounding air against your skin. Breathe deeply and allow yourself to just be.
This practice can be used throughout your day and the places that your activities take you. Practice being present when you are speaking with and interacting with others. Use all of your senses to be present to the world around you. Make moments for being present throughout your day and invite God into these small little retreats with you.
(2) Practice of silence
The practice of silence may seem very simple, but is often challenging to be immersed within. In order to practice silence, find yourself in a comfortable place and position where there is little or no distraction and outside noise. Offer a prayer and invite the Holy Spirit to strengthen you towards the end of silence. Quiet your mind and body and allow your thoughts to melt away. Be still, be silent and just be.
(3) Centering prayer
The practice of centering prayer is fairly simple and yet can be very challenging and beneficial. Once again you find yourself in a comfortable spot, which is as free as possible from distraction. Choose a word or phrase that is sacred to you. The word doesn't necessarily need to be a "churchy" word; if it helps you may close your eyes. Repeat the sacred word or phrase mentally and allow yourself to drift to a state of being that is inviting to the divine presence. When your thoughts drift from being in unity with the divine, use your sacred word or phrase to bring you back to consciousness of the divine.
(4) Using Lectio Divina
Lectio Devina is a way to pray using the scriptures to speak to yourself. It can be done individually or as a group. For the purpose of group session 4, it will be done in a group setting. When using the scripture, one may use different versions of the scripture passage during each new reading, or use the same version.
- A prayer is offered to invite the Holy Spirit to use the scripture and the space to speak to those who are participating
- One person from the group read the scripture through once. As you listen to the reading, make a mental note of any word or phrase that seems to stick out. Following the first reading of the scripture there is a moment of silence and then the group is allowed to share their word or phrase without discussion.
- A second reader reads the scripture, allowing members to take note of any word or phrase that speaks to them, a moment of silence is held and then members are invited to speak aloud the word or phrase they heard God speak to them.
- A third reader reads the scripture and then silence and then sharing.
- The time is closed with The Lord's Prayer
- If the group wishes they are invited to share their feeling or thoughts about the process
(5) Praying with Icons
In this form of spiritual practice, we will want to use our sense of vision. Praying with icons is a way to quiet our minds and focus our attention on the divine. When we use icons to pray, we are not praying to the picture, we are praying to the Living God who has saved and redeemed us. Using icons can allow us to see God in the faces of everyday people whom we live, work and play with.
To begin, settle yourself and bring your icon with you, or sit in a spot where you are able to see your icon. Before beginning you may want to light a candle, however, this is not necessary. Begin to focus on the icon and offer a prayer to begin your practice. As you sit in thought focus on the icon and search for the divine. Notice the nuances in the colors and ask God what he is saying to you through the icon.
(6) Clearness
We will not be able to hold what is called a Clearness Committee in its actual framework, due to time and possibly the group's knowledge of the process. What we will do is to call on our inner wisdom as we pray for the question that was written down during the first session in our journals. The group may pair off or group off, or may remain as one large group depending upon the time allotted and the number of people who will want to speak. This session is voluntary, only those who wish to offer their initial questions will be asked to do so. No one will be forced or urged to share if they are not ready. The group may want to set a time frame for the practice, and ask one member to keep them aware of when the time is coming to a close.
- The group begins in silence
- The silence is broken when one person shares their question and any background information that may be required
- Open-ended questions may be asked for clarity. Questions should not be leading or give advice.
- Allow space for silence.