At the School of Lectio Divina

Once at the School of Lectio Divina, I was deeply impressed with the organization of the School, the quality of the faculty, including the companions with whom we would meet several times during the School, and the amount of quiet time we would have.

One of the first intriguing issues that arose was the issue of whether or not to keep silence outside of the actual teaching times. S. Meg Funk led us through a discernment process to find what was the will of the Holy Spirit about keeping silence or being free to talk and discuss between the teaching sessions. One of the aspects of discernment that I appreciated was the practice of looking for a confirming sign for any provisional decision. If there would be no confirming sign, the (an) other alternative would be explored and then a confirming sign sought for that also.

This issue of keeping silence was important, at least in part because this was the first School of Lectio Divina offered in this way and open to both monastic and lay participants. This decision would create a pattern that would in all likelihood be followed in subsequent Schools.  We decided to keep silence, which we did until the evening before the last day and our leave-taking.

Singing Meditation

On Saturday morning I attended a Singing for Joy Workshop in Eau Claire. Led by Ruth Rosauer and Helen Gierke, it was indeed a joy.  Ruth has just released a book, Singing Meditation: Together in Sound and Silence, written with Liz Hill.  The songbook, Songs for Singing Meditation: Let Joy Fill Your Heart, was itself hot off the presses, having only arrived that very morning. Indeed, we were the first group to sing from the songbook - ever.

The singing was beautiful, and the silences between the chants filled the room with sweetness. What a delightful way to pass a Saturday morning! Several of those present had voices of great quality and power. Some were members of several singing groups in the area. Yet, even those of us with mediocre abilities could easily participate in the simple songs, chants, and rounds. There was no sense of inferiority or competitiveness, but of strong gratitude for each of the singers, and for the women who made the experience possible.

I bought the book, the CD, "Ephemerata," and the songbook.  My hope is to use Singing Meditation at home as a way to enter the Silence. Perhaps I will even find a way to introduce the practice to my local church as a form of prayer - which it certainly is.

November Change

In November, I will reflect on a number of prayer practices here. They will range from the Jesus Prayer, to Centering Prayer, to prayers of lament, praise, healing prayer. I invite you to join me here on Loving Presence and to leave comments any time you would like to do so. Then, in December the theme will be that of Advent - the time of anticipation of the coming of the Messiah, the one in whom all our lives are incorporate.

In October I prayed the news on this blog. The discipline has been very important to me, and I will continue that practice on another blog, Mighty Waters of Life. In November,  I will focus on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and use it as a way of critiquing current events and policy discussions.  Please join me there as well.

Centering Prayer
For the past year or more, Centering Prayer has been a significant part of my life.  I had read about it before, and even practiced in streaks through the years, but in this last year, Centering Prayer has taken on a greater priority than it had before.  I have made a commitment to lead book studies on Centering Prayer at my church, to practice Centering Prayer faithfully, and to hold to a group practice of Centering Prayer with others. Part of my motivation is a sense that deep spiritual grounding in the Holy is more necessary than ever now. I want to be part of that. Another motivation is to grow in God,  more and more to speak God's language which is Silence and Love.  And, a third motivation is to be with other people who share this practice and perspective, that these times are crucial in human history and that being "rooted and grounded in Love," who is God,  is essential.

In the next few posts, I'll discuss some of the origins of Centering Prayer, point to writers and organizations that teach and practice Centering Prayer, and present a bit about my own experience and ask for others to comment on what their experience of Centering Prayer is like.