Windows into the Soul—and Prayer

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Monday, June 1, 2015

french window in Taylor House
(Some Old Dorchester Houses)

Windows into the Soul—and Prayer

It’s a new month, and I have a new book to help me in my prayer and meditation practice.

Handbook for the Soul is a compilation, a change of pace from my concentration on Ignatian spirituality in the month of May. This new book traces different ways of relating to our souls. This, the very first chapter, talks about transcendent experiences.

Each person’s individual experience of transcendence is different. It depends on what kind of impression each person brings to the situation. Or, spiritual presence, as described by the person themselves. It holds countless experiences of deep feelings or stirrings within the soul, itself.

Jean Shinoda Bolen, author of today’s reflection on soul, tells the reader that she has fairly regular experiences to reach up—or down—or deep into on the person. You and I, we stand at the presence, the soul, deep down.

Let me give you some experiences searching for the soul. In Jean Shinoda Bolen’s own words: “ . . . you don’t have to wait for disaster. You can open yourself to the possibility of nourishing your soul, and you can make it a priority. Take careful stock of the ways you spend your life energies, doing things that are not so nourishing. . . . When you’re so consumed, you don’t have very many moments in which to experience the soul.” [1]

Shinoda Bolen advises her readers to take stock of how deprived our lives are. Empty of sources of joy, beauty and creativity. Some individuals find nurture in those silent parts of their insides, their souls. Others remember some hidden or forgotten activity or pleasurable source of inner delight. Recognize it. Make room for it. Open yourself up to it. That is the thing—the soul-nourishing moment.

To be aware of the soul—a worthwhile concept. But, to nurture and nourish soul needs and give satisfaction to the soul? Is there anything more profoundly freeing?

Dear God, thank You for this reorientation towards the soul, and soul needs. Nurturing my inner being is a necessary part of life. You call us to care for ourselves as much as we care for others. Gracious God, be with us as we concentrate on this important focus. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And, read my sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .

[1] Handbook of the Soul, Richard Carlson and Benjamin Shield, editors. (Boston: Little, Brown & Co., 1995) 6.

Cry for Help? Assistance in Prayer from Fr. Nouwen.

Matterofprayer: A Year of Everyday Prayers – Sunday, April 12, 2015

Cry for Help? Assistance in Prayer from Fr. Nouwen.

I love Fr. Nouwen’s writings. All of them. I have never read a single page of his that I have dismissed as trivial or unnecessary. So, I was more than excited today when I saw that one of the liturgical daily lectionary texts and readings included several paragraphs from A Cry for Mercy, by Henri Nouwen.

So many sentences and phrases of Fr. Nouwen’s caught my attention. However, I will focus on two particular sentences: “Why . . . do I keep expecting happiness and satisfaction outside of You? Why do I keep relating to You as one of my many relationships, instead of my only relationship, in which all other ones are grounded?”

These words make me want to hide under a blanket, or under my bed. Hide myself away from the sight of the Lord, and hide my whole self in shame. And fear, and deep sadness.

I can see where several of the big sins, the Seven Deadly Sins, are trying to horn in here. Overweening pride at being arrogantly self-sufficient, apart from You. Green-eyed envy while trying to juggle many surface or vacuous relationships outside of You. Sloth, that lazy, take-one’s-time disease, which keeps me from honest effort lest I strive to grow closer to You.

Lord, forgive me for neglecting You, Your love, support and encouragement. Help me in developing a closer walk with You. And as Fr. Nouwen says, help me to become Your trusting friend. Please, dear Lord. In Your grace and mercy, hear all of our prayers.

@chaplaineliza

Like what you read? Disagree? Share your thoughts with your loved ones and continue the conversation.

Why not visit my sister blogs, “the best of” A Year of Being Kind.   @chaplaineliza And read #40acts sermons from Pastor, Preacher Pray-er .