Archive for the ‘Disciplines’ Category

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Overburdened With Spiritual Practices

April 18, 2012

Sometimes with all good intentions, I add a spiritual practice. Then maybe a physical practice. Maybe I want to add more study to my meditation practice and then look for another service. Then I feel a need to run further (which means take more time for my morning workout). And then when do I find time for some additional Yoga practice to try new poses?

Our pastor started this line of thinking a few weeks ago when he asked if we’ve added so many spiritual practices that we feel like we’re batting a bunch of balloons trying to keep them all in the air. Leo Babauta, a writer who focuses on how to live each day, talked about how we tend to overplan. We sort of overlook how much time it takes to do things. We lay out a plan for the day–or maybe for a vacation–only to find that there aren’t enough hours in the day.

This happens to me frequently. I feel like the guy in the old FedEx commercial who kept answering the phone–“I can do that”, “I can do that”, “I can do that”, “How am I ever gonna do all that?”

So we all need to release the inner OCD and learn to just do what we can, relax, go with the flow. Pick the most important thing for the moment and do it, not worrying about the other stuff.

I sometimes say, only half-jokingly, that part of my philosophy of life comes from the old Mad Magazine mascot Alfred E. Newman, who would say through that goofy grin, “What? Me worry?”

By the way–OCD=obsessive-compulsive disorder–you’ve got it, you know it. And where else can you find a Christian blog that quotes both ZenHabits and Mad Magazine in the same post? Enjoy the day, one moment at a time.

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Introverts and Extroverts

April 12, 2012

There are two types of people. Well, maybe three. There are people who get energy from being with other people. We call those extroverts. There are people who get energy from being alone. These are called introverts. Then there are people like me, I suppose. On the Myers-Briggs Types Indicator, my scores on that scale come back ambivalent.

But how we are determines how we like to worship. It determines how we work best. But we need a little of both.

A man called Chris Anderson started a conference years ago where he invited people with significant ideas to present short talks (no longer than 20 minutes but most often about 10 minutes) to an audience who paid as much as five figures to the left of the decimal point to listen. He called it the TED Talks conference. It became successful. There are now many of these around the world. He now records them and you can watch for free.

Recently Susan Cain presented on being an introvert in a culture that increasingly rewards (or forces you to be) an extrovert. It is worth a listen.

In our spiritual practice, we need to be aware of our tendency and seek balance. Introverts would tend toward study and meditation. Extroverts tend toward worship, celebration and service. Following the example of Jesus, everyone needs time alone to find God and center themselves. It might be difficult for extroverts, but it is necessary to achieve depth in your celebrations and service. Study and meditation alone will not make you whole. Introverts need to get out and be with people. Learn to celebrate and serve. Just as Jesus often withdrew to be with God in order to serve more, we also need to seek that balance.

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Becoming Self Aware

March 23, 2012

I am working this week in chunks of time in the early morning and late evening with a few exceptions. Otherwise, I’m playing with the grandkids. As they get older, I am reminded of some of the stages of growth in maturity of a human being. Sometimes we forget. Some people never progress.

By two, kids are walking, talking, interacting, but often they just follow their impulses. So, to socialize them, you try to channel their impulses and teach a few life lessons. By four or five, it’s time that they begin to realize that following nature’s impulses may not be the best course. It’s time that they see the impact of their words and actions on others–and how that reflects back to them.

So the grandson is learning self-awareness. You know, it’s when you start something–maybe you start getting mad at someone or something. And it just builds. You just can’t stop. You need to be able to see yourself and recognize what’s happening. Then pause for a time and let yourself come back into balance. Blogger Rex Hammock calls for giving it five minutes.

As I study Spiritual Discipline–or as John Ortberg recently called it, Spiritual Practices–I become ever more impressed with the basic need for self-awareness as something that comes before the practice. How do I feel? With whom do I have issues? Have I let something gain control of me? Where do I stand toward God at this moment?

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Is Confession Confusing

March 5, 2012

I wrote a couple of weeks ago about the Discipline of Confession as a “corporate” discipline–that is one that you should do with another person. This has been brought up several times in groups where people are puzzled and concerned about this.

On the one hand, many people are reluctant to share their deepest sins with another person. Trust seems to be a major roadblock. But I think there is a deeper problem–it’s hard. It is hard enough just to look at yourself and become aware of things you do or thoughts you dwell upon as sins. But to tell another person really opens you up to the possibility of ridicule, rejection or worse.

But psychologists will tell you both from experience and from research that healing cannot commence until you seriously recognize your problem and get it out in the open. That is the only place where healing can begin.

On the other hand, there is the situation of being the hearer of the confession. Do those words from Scripture really tell me that I can extend forgiveness to another? Just because Jesus said we have the power to forgive sins on earth, is it really true?

Some people are raised to believe that priests and pastors are people set aside by God and invested with certain powers–one of which is to hear confessions and forgive. Others do not accept that distinction–rather accepting the theology of the priesthood of all believers.

We believe that God’s grace is there for everyone. If anyone confesses their sin and resolves to turn their life around and walk with God, they are forgiven. There is no problem for a believer to be the healing person to put that into words for the penitent person. In fact, you can become God’s instrument of healing and faith formation for that person in that moment.

And what better thing can we do with our lives than help someone else begin the journey?

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Confession and Listening

February 24, 2012

This weekend, I will be guiding our group into discussion of the Spiritual Disciplines of Confession and Worship. Before reading the chapters (Richard Foster, “Celebration of Discipline”), one member expressed surprise that Foster calls Confession a “corporate” discipline, rather than a “private” one.

He may have been thinking, as I was, that corporate meant getting up in a church service and “spilling your guts” as the old movies said. Actually, Foster discusses the benefits of confessing to another person who can immediately pray for you and offer God’s forgiveness.

I was thinking this morning about the person hearing the confession. Ernest Hemingway said, “When you listen, listen completely. Most people don’t listen.” Foster discusses the need to remain quiet. The hearer must quell the urge to jump in and offer advice right away. You cannot listen and talk at the same time.

True listening means placing your focus and attention on the other person. Your attitude is one of prayerful attentiveness. Look at the person. Depending upon the accent of the person I’m listening to, I usually focus on one eye, but sometimes I need to see the mouth move to pick up the words correctly. But the person must see you looking at them–not at the walls or other people (if you are, say, at a restaurant).

This takes practice. Maybe years of practice.

One thing Foster doesn’t discuss that might be useful today is listening in an email conversation. I listen. I try to understand. But often, I just can’t pick up the right tone of the conversation. When it becomes important, move the conversation to an audible one.

I don’t hear my Catholic friends discuss going to (the rite of) Confession any more. Is that ritual falling into disuse? But Protestants often fall into an attitude that confession is private–just you and me, God. Many times, though, discussing with a trusted person is necessary to remove the burden, especially if that person truly listens and then prays with you.

Sometimes I think we Christians spend way too much time on talking as evangelism and way too little time listening.

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Let the Spirit Change Your Life

February 19, 2012

Are you nervous? Always anxious? Worried about many things? Or do you have a temper that is often out of control?

I was thinking about how meditation can change your life–or rather your personality and how you approach life. Years ago, I’d have had to answer yes to those questions. I’ve been seriously practicing meditation for more than 30 years, so I don’t remember when it was that I noticed a personality change. It’s not 100 percent, but none of us are perfect. Throughout all the economic turmoil of the 80s when I worked for a series of companies that went out of business, I was able to maintain some equilibrium because of the peace and focus that meditation brought.

Tonight our small group will be looking at the Spiritual Disciplines of Submission and Service. During preparation to lead these discussions the thought came to me–these are really conscious choices we should make about how to live our lives as we live with God.

Submission means laying aside my ego so that I’m free from having to prove myself–to myself and others. I just live each day with God and others recognizing their worth and that I don’t need to have my own way with them.

Service is a lifestyle choice, that is a way of living where my response to God is to do something for others. Often little things. I’ve discovered joy from doing the little, unexpected courtesies for others. Or when someone does something for me. It becomes just a natural part of your walk with God to serve others. Maybe someone reading this is or will be doing something great that will generate an article in The New York Times. Or it may be taking soup to an elderly neighbor.

It’s how you live your life. And as you practice those disciplines, then you will look back one day and exclaim at how much your life has changed for the better. You discover that you have the fruits of the Spirit within you without even seeking them directly–love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

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Spiritual Discipline of Meditation

February 16, 2012

A few days ago I visited a small group of committed Christian men devoted to the discipline of study. During the discussion, the discipline of meditation came up and many seemed uncomfortable with the concept. They evidently thought it was some sort of hippie, new-age thing.

Yes, The Beatles went to India and visited the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and popularized what is called Transcendental Meditation. You know, “Oooohhhmmmmm.” I taught a Yoga practice to a group of disadvantaged young people at a community center for a few weeks and when I told them to sit and listen to their breaths, several started chanting Om. Weird. They had no clue.

Then one (back to the study group) said, well, Gary knows about that. OK, I have studied both TM and Zen in my life. But Christian meditation owes only a little to those traditions. I imagine that the early practitioners were aware of Eastern meditation.

But, not to worry. Christian meditation centers on Christian things. The beginnings are the same everywhere. Stand, sit (preferably), lie, even walking, focus on your breathing. A good meditation is to simply say the Jesus Prayer softly or to yourself on the exhales–“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me.”

Another great meditation accompanies study. I love to meditate on the story where the resurrected Jesus appears to the men walking to Emmaus. What did he say? What did they ask? I put myself in the story as I slow my body down through regular breathing and gain new insights into the story.

Meditation isn’t exotic. It’s as old as Christianity within our tradition. It’s just another way to gain insight and let God talk. Oh, it also has great health and personality benefits. Regular practice for years will change your personality. It can help you go from Type A to Type B, become more mellow, and lower blood pressure.

And “Om”? It isn’t necessarily mystical in and of itself. It is a “primordial sound” that many believe helps focus your attention on God. Sounds are OK. Sometimes you can’t concentrate. Slow your mind with Om until you relax and can focus on God.

Don’t get uptight. Just slow down and let God in.

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Working On Your Own Spiritual Development

February 15, 2012

There is a book that influenced a generation, “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance,” by Robert Pirsig. The book was neither about Zen or motorcycles. In it Pirsig said, “The real motorcycle you’re working on is yourself.”

Today I’m thinking about working on practical things. Your (and my) daily life. Last week I was swamped with meetings and took little time for myself. Whose fault was that? Mine, of course. Why? Because I booked a schedule that did not include time for me and my spiritual development.

When that happens, you can lose balance and perspective in life. For me as a reporter and writer, that can be dangerous.

The solution is to schedule my time—in my calendar application—not only with appointments with others but also appointments for myself. This is also good to assure time with spouse, time with kids, time to pray, time for service. “Hey, can you…?” “No, I’mm busy.”

Now, if I could only do as I say 😉

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Spiritual, Mind and Body Disciplines

February 13, 2012

I had only a few long-term goals for myself that I first conceived as a teenager. These were never written as new-age self-help gurus preach–with detailed plans and all that stuff. But they have been a guiding force for my entire life. First, I would never have a “beer-belly”, that is, I’d stay lean and fit. Second, I’d continue to develop my mind for as long as my physical body allowed. Third, my spiritual development would lead to wisdom, that is, I’d gain perspective and insight.

The discipline of the first goal is watching what I eat and exercising. Eat less and exercise more is still the best method of weight loss and toning. As soon as I finish this post, I’m off to the gym for my usual workout.

The discipline of the second goal is reading good books. I keep a list. Whenever someone recommends a good book, I write it down and then buy it. I seldom watch TV (although the Serie A match between AC Milan and Udinese yesterday was entertaining) and seldom read novels purely for the story (although I find murder mysteries to be a great way to relax yet still think). A further discipline is to reflect on the books.

The discipline of the third is continual reading of the Bible and spiritual leaders such as Augustine (St. Augustine if you’re Catholic). This also entails meditation and contemplation.

In this third discipline, I’ve found that the ancient tradition is correct–you will at some point early in your contemplation be shown by God all the sins that you have done and that you are capable of doing. You will experience this apartness from God to the depth of your soul such that you’ll never forget. But then, you will experience the saving grace of God–not as an intellectual concept but as a reality deep within your experience.

I mention all this, because once again I tried to get my small group to see the list of sins that Paul assembled at the beginning of the letter to the Romans in such a way that it applies to each of them. It is too easy to read the list and say, “I’m saved, so I’m past all these. Now I can point my finger at the sins of others and piously tell them to accept Jesus and be saved.”

No, this is an experience that we all need to recall. We are all sinners. We carry that with us. But if we have turned to God and let Him help, then we can also experience grace. Without the first, we’ll never have the second.

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Discipline Amidst Busyness

February 12, 2012

I didn’t really take the week off. It was one of those travel weeks where the day began early, breakfast meetings, individual meetings, lunch meetings, more meetings, dinner with clients until midnight, then do it over. The schedule is at once energizing and tiring. And there is little time for contemplation unless I cut my 5 hours of sleep to 4 hours.

A weak excuse, I know. I’m in charge of most of my schedule. With discipline, I could carve out a half hour or so. As I reflect on a very busy week, I am forced to re-evaluate how I budget my time during my travels.

We all have busyness challenges. One woman told me she already gets up at 5 just to get ready for work when I suggested that we just get up a little earlier to read and contemplate and pray. Then I can’t follow my own advice.

Paul described us when he said that he doesn’t do what he wants to do and does what he doesn’t want to do. Guess it happens to us all.

I also took a weekend class last week (sacrificing half the Super Bowl) to improve my Yoga teaching skills and knowledge. Some Christian fundamentalists are worried that Yoga is a religion. It’s not. It’s a discipline–a way of disciplining your body so that it is fit for the rigors of contemplation and prayer. It all fits together–your body, your mind and your spirit. When it all comes together–what a wonderful thing.

I’m a work in progress. How about you.

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