Toward a New Dawn
Friends:
I find this powerful observation meaningful for launching into a new year. I trust that you can find time to meditate with these words.
“This being human is a guest house.
Every morning is a new arrival.
“A joy, a depression, a mean-ness,
Some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor.
“Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house
Empty of its furniture,
Still, treat each guest honorably.
The Holy One may be clearing you out for some new delight.
“The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
Meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in.
“Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent
As a guide from beyond.”
--Rumi, as translated by Coleman Barks
--Ben Keckler
01.03.12
Showing posts with label Meditation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Meditation. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, August 13
Being Still Enough
“Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord,
and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.”
--An ancient song
Psalm 25: 6
This week we are looking at a primary aspect of spiritual development – the recognition of mercy and grace. We are using the above verse from scripture for starting the meditations.
Working in the health care field can be particularly stressful. In fact many of us (myself included) tend to be rather attached to the high tension/high demand role of caregiving. Within many of us (myself included) we recognize the spirit working in and through us. One difficulty we can face is the cultivation of good spiritual disciplines which, if not used, can lead to the feeling of being “spent”. Spiritual development happens best when spending time in quiet, receptive openness and meditation.
Gerald May writes, “Even mild addiction to stress becomes rapidly evident for many modern spiritual pilgrims. The mind can generate wondrous excuses to do something instead of just being open and present. … we might rather avoid the self-knowledge that comes to us in quiet. Now, increasing numbers of us are discovering that we would rather not experience the discomfort of being peaceful.” (P.89, Addiction and Grace)
A merciful God accepts you at the very point where you are in your pilgrimage. Why not be still enough to at least experience the embrace of steadfast love. AND THEN, get back to – whatever!
Prayer: God, slow me down, allow me to experience a couple of moments of quiet. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.13.09
“Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord,
and of your steadfast love,
for they have been from of old.”
--An ancient song
Psalm 25: 6
This week we are looking at a primary aspect of spiritual development – the recognition of mercy and grace. We are using the above verse from scripture for starting the meditations.
Working in the health care field can be particularly stressful. In fact many of us (myself included) tend to be rather attached to the high tension/high demand role of caregiving. Within many of us (myself included) we recognize the spirit working in and through us. One difficulty we can face is the cultivation of good spiritual disciplines which, if not used, can lead to the feeling of being “spent”. Spiritual development happens best when spending time in quiet, receptive openness and meditation.
Gerald May writes, “Even mild addiction to stress becomes rapidly evident for many modern spiritual pilgrims. The mind can generate wondrous excuses to do something instead of just being open and present. … we might rather avoid the self-knowledge that comes to us in quiet. Now, increasing numbers of us are discovering that we would rather not experience the discomfort of being peaceful.” (P.89, Addiction and Grace)
A merciful God accepts you at the very point where you are in your pilgrimage. Why not be still enough to at least experience the embrace of steadfast love. AND THEN, get back to – whatever!
Prayer: God, slow me down, allow me to experience a couple of moments of quiet. Amen.
--Ben Keckler
08.13.09
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Daily Devotion - Thursday, April 9
Some Thoughts to Ponder
Frederick Buechner's book Listening to Your Life, a daily meditation book, is very rich and full of meaning. In an April meditation he suggests that life itself is trying to tell us something.
“The alphabet of grace is full of sibilants—sounds that can’t be shouted but only whispered: the sounds of bumblebees and wind, of whitecaps hissing up flat over the glittering sand, of crowds hushed in vast and vaulted places, the sound of your own breathing. The trees, the budding flowers, the rhythm of waking, work and sleeping—all are trying to tell us something.”
The meditation goes on and Buechner continues to use words that paint a picture about the rhythm of life. He concludes with these brief words:
“How do I happen to believe in God? I will give one more answer which can be stated briefly. Writing novels, I got into the habit of looking for plots. After awhile, I began to suspect that my own life had a plot. And after awhile more, I began to suspect that life itself has a plot.”
Seems like Buechner is in touch with something! It really isn’t a new insight. In fact, Buechner seems to be using his words to tell the story of Psalm 104. Why not take a minute and read that Psalm today.
--Ben Keckler
04.09.09
Frederick Buechner's book Listening to Your Life, a daily meditation book, is very rich and full of meaning. In an April meditation he suggests that life itself is trying to tell us something.
“The alphabet of grace is full of sibilants—sounds that can’t be shouted but only whispered: the sounds of bumblebees and wind, of whitecaps hissing up flat over the glittering sand, of crowds hushed in vast and vaulted places, the sound of your own breathing. The trees, the budding flowers, the rhythm of waking, work and sleeping—all are trying to tell us something.”
The meditation goes on and Buechner continues to use words that paint a picture about the rhythm of life. He concludes with these brief words:
“How do I happen to believe in God? I will give one more answer which can be stated briefly. Writing novels, I got into the habit of looking for plots. After awhile, I began to suspect that my own life had a plot. And after awhile more, I began to suspect that life itself has a plot.”
Seems like Buechner is in touch with something! It really isn’t a new insight. In fact, Buechner seems to be using his words to tell the story of Psalm 104. Why not take a minute and read that Psalm today.
--Ben Keckler
04.09.09
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