Spiritual Practices for Christians: (Re-)Introduction, Roadmaps, Questions

Jesus said,

“I came that they may

have life, and have it

abundantly.”

John 10:10

St. Michael’s Lenten Program • Program title: Practicing our Faith

• Overall program goal: To examine and experience the more abundant life of which Jesus speaks.

• Overall program resources: Presentations and conversations about various spiritual practices, some familiar, some new.

• Objective for tonight: A presentation that is meaningful and useful, simple enough for all participants to get the main ideas and complex enough to ring true to real life.

Defining spiritual practice (or practices)? Part I: Confusion

• Note: One can find a multitude of definitions in different religious traditions, even within Christianity, and the topic has been enriched but made more complex by contributions from psychology, neurosciences and more.

• Within any one tradition, the focus of spiritual practice may mainly focus on:

- interior experience, peace, enlightenment.

- exterior action, personal ethics, making a

difference in the world.

- esoteric knowledge available to the few.

- practical wisdom available to all.

- all of these or more.

Defining spiritual practice (or practices)?

Part II: Working Definition for Us Tonight

A Spiritual Practice may be any intentional, regular commitment by which we seek to connect our Christian faith with any or all of life’s opportunities, challenges, questions and relationships.

Note: Individuals will sometimes use the singular, “My spiritual practice …” when referring to all of the individual commitments unified by the intention of a more faithful, abundant life.

Defining spiritual practice (or practices)?

Part III: “Get to the point” – for Episcopalians

The Baptismal Covenant Will you continue in the apostles’

teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?

I will, with God’s help.

Spiritual Practice(s)

- Study of Scripture

- Participation in the Body of Christ,

the Church (community of faith

- Taking part in the Sacraments

- Personal piety: life of prayer.

Defining spiritual practice (or practices)?

Part III: “Get to the point” – for Episcopalians

The Baptismal Covenant Will you persevere in resisting evil,

and whenever you fall into sin,

repent and return to the Lord?

I will, with God’s help.

Spiritual Practice(s)

- A morally intentional life

- Temperance/abstinence

- Self-examination

- Repentance/Confession

Defining spiritual practice (or practices)?

Part III: “Get to the point” – for Episcopalians

The Baptismal Covenant Will you proclaim by word and example

the good news of God in Christ?

I will, with God’s help.

Spiritual Practice(s)

- Proclamation/evangelism

- Having a coherent faith story

- Walking the talk

Defining spiritual practice (or practices)?

Part III: “Get to the point” – for Episcopalians

The Baptismal Covenant Will you seek and serve Christ

in all persons, loving your

neighbor as yourself?

I will, with God’s help.

Spiritual Practice(s)

- Discipline of seeing

- Empathy/compassion

- Service

Defining spiritual practice (or practices)?

Part III: “Get to the point” – for Episcopalians

The Baptismal Covenant Will you strive for justice and peace

among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?

I will, with God’s help.

Spiritual Practice(s)

- Cultivating a prophetic voice

- Intentional peace-making

- Crossing stereotype barriers

and comfort zones

Spiritual Practices – Expanded Views

Alphabet of Spiritual Disciplines

Attention Beauty Being Present

Compassion Connections Devotion

Enthusiasm Faith Forgiveness Grace

Gratitude Hope Hospitality Imagination

Joy Justice Kindness Listening Love

Meaning Nurturing Openness Peace

Play Questing Reverence Shadow

Silence Teachers Transformation

Unity Vision Wonder X-The Mystery

Yearning You Zeal

www.spiritualityandpractice.com

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Developing your own spiritual practice:

issues, obstacles, resources

#1 The problem of the

‘professionalization of God.’

Result: lay persons don’t feel

equipped, qualified or worthy to

have an authentic spiritual life.

Perspective: Knowing a lot

ABOUT God is not the same

thing as being on a spiritual

quest and knowing God.

Developing your own spiritual practice:

issues, obstacles, resources

#2 The tension between belief and action, or ‘faith’ and ‘works.’ Is the Christian faith defined by what we believe, or by what we do?

For by grace you have been saved

through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works, so that no one may boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9

Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith. - James 2:18b

Developing your own spiritual practice:

issues, obstacles, resources

#3 The role of mindfulness, consciousness and/or intention in spiritual practice.

“For lack of attention a thousand forms of

loveliness elude us every day.” — Evelyn Underhill

“Just being awake, alert, attentive is no easy matter. I think it is the greatest spiritual challenge that we face.” — Diana L. Eck in Encountering God

"Awareness is the greatest agent for change."

“Not what you do, but how you do what you do determines whether you are fulfilling your destiny.” - Eckhart Tolle, in A New Earth

Developing your own spiritual practice:

issues, obstacles, resources

#4 Some spiritual practices are relative, depending upon ones stage in life, one’s temperament, and one’s circumstances.

e.g. The Four Stages of Life in Hinduism:

the student, the householder, the retired person, and the ascetic.

The conundrum of children and ‘spirituality’ – many of the ‘masterpieces’ on ‘spirituality’ in the Christian tradition were written by unmarried, childless celibates living in monastic community.

Developing your own spiritual practice:

issues, obstacles, resources

#5 Mysticism and/or Mission.

The Judeo-Christian tradition honors

the inner quest for God and mystical experience. But to the extent that the divine encounter takes place, it is not merely for individual edification. It often has a direct relationship to a prophesy or call beyond the individual.

Examples: burning bush, call of Samuel, Transfiguration (followed by journey to Jerusalem), Saul/Paul struck blind and healed.

Developing your own spiritual practice:

issues, obstacles, resources

#6 The here and now

What parts of this presentation captured your

attention? Why?

Is it possible to cultivate a more intentional spiritual practice that leads to abundant life without simply adding 10 more things ‘to do’? If so, how?

How can St. Michael’s be a better resource for supporting members and newcomers in spiritual practices?

How can we develop a more lively conversation about and culture of spiritual practice at St. Michael’s?

What other questions should be on this list?