“No one is not spiritual. Regardless of beliefs, positions, alignments, or claims, every person who walks this earth is hard-wired to seek meaning, make connections, notice beauty, and experience grace (though perhaps not named as grace). Think of the moments in your life when you have known, or at least glimpsed, deep connection, awe, gratitude, honesty, peace, acceptance , welcome. Sometimes these stop you in your tracks or change your life. More often, they brush past you, and you wish you could hold onto them.” Excerpt from “Building God’s Beloved Community”, Chapter 12, page 97, written by Susan Chisholm.
This chapter ‘stopped me in my tracks’, as we were reading “Building God’s Beloved Community” this year. There is a cliché, almost, of being able to “See God in all things”, but the idea of being able to see God in all things, and that this is prayer, floored me. Why wouldn’t taking time to enjoy yesterday’s vibrant and lingering sunset be a spiritual practice? Why would it not be a quiet and appreciative prayer of gratitude to our Creator, and Creator of this world?
Last week, I had the privilege of introducing someone to the spiritual practice of walking the Labyrinth. We all have our quiet places that we go, either physically, or mentally,... our favourite lake, the quiet coffee shop on the corner, sitting with a friend in the garden, reading a new book, weaving the thread of a poem, knitting a shawl... Every day, we engage in quiet, contemplative practices that draw us away from the busy-ness of life, work and responsibility. These practices allow the body to rest, and the soul time to do its work; deepening our connection with our Creator. It makes still our world so that we can focus on what is at the heart of our worry, our frustration, our hope, our joy, our expectations.
Spiritual practice answers the question, “What is important for me to pay attention to in this moment, Lord?” without us even having to ask the question. I have spent many an early morning walking the Labyrinth, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to strengthen my connection with God. I have also spent much of my life writing my feelings and experiences. I now know that my practice of reflection through writing is a spiritual practice. I have been conversing with my Creator since I was 6! Who would have known? ... And it doesn’t matter whether my writing is perfect or not! Taking the time and opening our hearts to the connection is what matters most!
We welcome you to enjoy the Labyrinth as part of your spiritual practice, or any time you feel you want to take some time for yourself. I also look forward to sharing your Spiritual Practice Stories throughout summer!
