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Stillness

Clarity breaks forth from silence.

Our excited and distracted lives slowed.

As the waves crash our voices rise to overcome,

Yet, when the tide goes out, a whisper can be heard from deep within.

Listen.

Does my heart beat? Is my stomach churning?

Let me find my way, without maps, words, signs…

In the middle of the dessert, deep in the woods, a prisoner of modernity, what is the difference?

Be still and know,

Truth is present through your simple silence,

Be still and know,

you are Worthy.

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How is what you notice guiding you?

The other day I was talking to a friend about spiritual guidance and they asked about a situation some close friends were in and what did I think was going on in their situation?

I paused for a moment and then began explaining how spiritual guidance might best approach his question.

I told my friend that his noticing the situation and bringing it up in conversation with me was a sure sign of the Divine’s guidance within him. I shared that although we often put up barriers or misconstrue Love’s emergence, it is just such situations like the one he described that point to something deeper within him, something he might want to explore.

“Life is set up to bring up what has been bound up, so it can open up to be freed up, so you can show up for life.”
― Mary O’Malley

I like the directness of Mary’s quote. Whatever is arising for us is a pointer to something deep within. What is arising may be cloaked with whatever we see and project outward but with some attention placed on it for a few minutes we can often discover what it is that is emerging within.

If you’re having trouble accessing the deeper truth that may be emerging, there are a number of practices that can help. If you’re a head centered person, try a form of Lectio Divina, if a heart centered person, try a heart focused meditation and of you’re a body (gut) centered person, try a breathing practice where you move breath and awareness around your body.

Here for you as needed. – marv@souljrnys.com

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Practice: In loving memory to who I used to be.

Recently I’ve had a number of conversations with people about transitions and the inner challenges that we face as we journey through various life changes. One common feature appears to be that as we go through transition, we leave part of ourselves or at least a concept of ourselves behind. Although we feel like we just need to “get over it” or “get on with it” in many cases it may be wise to pause and allow ourselves to address our loss. Here’s a practice you may want to try.
Practice: 
In loving memory to who I used to be is a practice to be utilized for someone in or through a transition. Any new stage of life can bring up great hopes and excitement but it can also bring up thoughts, emotions, memories, etc. from the past that may need some time and attention as we let go of what “used to be.” or “who we used to be.”  In some cases moving into a new chapter can bring inner grief for the loss of our previous self.  This practice can be done in one sitting or multiple sittings. Adjust the practice to your own needs.
  • Find a quiet place and time where you can be undisturbed for at least 15 minutes.
  • Have a pen/pencil and paper for writing (or utilize any technology that feels comfortable, phone, tablet, etc.)
  • Make yourself comfortable and close or lower your eyes taking 5-10 deep breaths to calm and center yourself. If you’ve been really active prior to this practice, you may wish to take 10-15 deep breaths.
  • Now think about who you were prior to the recent transition you’ve been through.
  • Imagine your current self as the observer of who you used to be.
  • Now take some time to outline or write out a memorial service (or memoriam) for your former self.
  • Think about certain memories that were important, songs, poems, scripture, quotes, you might want to share.
  • Think about what you (today) would want to share about your past self. You might include, joys, regrets, successes, milestones, sadnesses, things left undone, guidance/advice your past self would give others, guidance/advice your past self has for you today, etc. 
  • Be open to whatever surfaces within you. It will likely be quite a diverse picture of a whole life!
  • You may wish to write with your non-dominant hand as a way to tap into deeper feelings or thoughts.
  • You may wish to think about who you might share this with, even if you just keep it to yourself.
  • Once you feel like you’ve written all you’re able to for now, ask yourself if there’s more you’d like to write.
  • If yes, come back to this practice as often as you wish until you feel satisfied that you’ve written all you want to.
  • Once you feel you’re done writing, ask yourself what you might do (if anything) with this? 
  • Wait at least 48 hours to act on whatever you decide to do with it.
  • To close your time, take a few minutes to review what you wrote and pay attention to anything that especially stands out to you, a word, phrase, memory, emotion or image. 
  • Take that word, phrase, memory, emotion or image into a brief silent time – utilize a breath practice along with it if you want to.
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Peace is within you.

Each of us carries within us a deep Peace that surpasses all understanding. In our busy lives, we often forget to stop, drop inside, breathe and invite Peace to transform our beautiful beings into more Love-filled Beings.

Practice

Breath in and out as you observe your breath for two minutes… approximately 10-15 breaths.

For two minutes invite Peace to fully occupy your being.

As difficult thoughts, emotions and sensations arise, note them and hold them in the Love you have invited within.

Repeat as often as needed until you know the Peace that surpasses all understanding.

… if you want to discuss this practice; try other practices; or develop specific practices for your own unique life and circumstances, I’d love to hear from you.

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Do You Have Some Wisdom to Share?

You’re reading a book, article or blog and you think to yourself… “wow this is so great!, My friend (spouse, child, sibling, etc.), __________, would really like this, needs this, would benefit from this,” etc. 
It’s a common reaction and one it is good to pay close attention to. 
When you find something you’re reading particularly motivating, inspiring, wise, troubling, etc., make the inside move to learn more about yourself and discover Love within.
Utilize one or more of these questions to do some deeper work. You might also consider additional questions that aid you in your inner exploration.
1. If possible, identify a particular section, phrase or even a single word that helped you sense Sacred Presence as you read. Any moments that seemed so present you could feel or sense Love?
2. Were there any particular stories, poems, scriptures, songs, images, etc. that came to as you read it? What feelings come up within you as you allow this to soak in?
3. Did you find any statements troubling? Or difficult to understand? Where in your body did you notice? 
3b. Perhaps you found this reading express Divine Presence in a unique way? Perhaps a way you’ve thought about before or never thought about it but it opened a new possibility for you? 
4. If you had only 6 words to describe what you read in those pages, what words or short phrase would you use?
5. If you could retitle the book / chapter to better reflect your deep intersection with the reading, what would the title be? 
6. Take a look around you right now and find something in your immediate environment that reconnects you to the reading… spend a few minutes connecting with what you’ve noticed and perhaps ask “what is here for me in this moment?”  
Hope these questions help you dive deeper within. If you want to talk more about what you notice or experience, I would be pleased to hear from you.