Pondering solitude, I’ve remembered that “alone” isn’t the same as “lonely.” Solitude can be lonely, and through the pandemic we’ve learned far too much about suffering through loneliness. But this week, I’m engaging solitude more as intentional seclusion, a retreat, a withdrawal for re-collection.
Guttural, loud, gravelly deep in my throat, resonating in my chest and abdomen, emptying out a big belly breath to the dregs, sometimes a word or two but mostly beyond words—that’s a whole body groan. … I’ve been learning how to integrate groaning with prayer.
OVERNIGHT, AN EYE-CATCHING CURLY WILLOW TREE in my front yard crashed to the ground. I’m thankful nothing else was damaged. My family had marveled at its corkscrew branches, but harsh cold, rain, and then wind in the Pacific Northwest finally toppled it. We’ve since learned that Curly Willows have a really shallow root system.
LIKE AN UMBRELLA AGAINST A STORM, this holiday season I wish my home to be a contempt-free zone. Over the feasting, covering evenings with friends and a glass of wine, shielding family Zoom conversations… I’d like us out of the acid fall of biting, caustic words about “others.”
If you hunger for a more holistic and empowered connection with God, Way of the Spirit is a program for spiritual rootedness and faithful action from the wisdom of the Quaker spirituality.
Reflections on the inner life of discernment, experiencing the Holy in relationships, and the integration of contemplation and faithful action.