I have been lately thinking about practicing Contemplative Practices.
I read that Jesus sometimes would go somewhere peaceful to reflect and to talk with his Father.
I would love to find somewhere peaceful to reflect and talk with God, but sometimes it is very hard.
So now im looking at practices that would possibly help with spiritual discipline and growth.
Also the idea of a communal practices looks intresting.
In Brian McLarens Book (Finding Our Way Again - The return of the ancient practice) he goes into depththe different spiritual practices.
here is a back ground look at what the book is about -
Shines a practical light on the spiritual disciplines that have been in use since the time of Abraham. In a sense, every day of our lives is labor. It is questionable if you can ever be exactly the same person waking up on two consecutive days. How are spiritual sojourners to cope with the constant change? Many are beginning to explore the ancient Christian spiritual practices that have been in use for centuries, everything from fixed-hour prayer to fasting to sincere observance of the Sabbath. What is causing this hunger for deeper spirituality?
Brian McLaren guides us on this quest for an explanation of these spiritual practices, many of which go all the way back to Abraham and the establishment of Israel. In the midst of contemporary Christianity, we discover the beauty of these ancient disciplines and the transformation through Christ that each can provide.
Why have certain spiritual disciplines been in use for centuries and why is it important?
It is questionable if one can ever be exactly the same person waking up on two consecutive days. How are spiritual sojourners to cope with the constant change? Many are beginning to explore the ancient Christian spiritual practices, such as fixed-hour prayer, fasting and sincere observance of the Sabbath. What is causing this hunger for deeper spirituality?
Brian McLaren guides us on this quest for an explanation of these spiritual practices, many of which go all the way back to Abraham and the establishment of Israel. In the midst of contemporary Christianity, we discover the beauty of these disciplines and the transformation through Christ that each can provide.
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Ok back to me again, i have alot of times thought how could i find a quiet place to focus on God?
I come home from work, i try to chill out for a while before i write down my thoughts which i was thinking about while in work.
I get think about Gods love for me and the ways he has blessed me, and how i can seek him and thank him with my all my mind and spirit.
Though finding that space of Peace is not easy.
technology is always around you, family is always around you, cars wizzing passed the house, the noise of the city and the housing estate.
sometimes you wanna join a monastery...go into the catacombs....light a candle and get down on both knees and cry out to God.
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i am about to quote Brain Mclaren again from his book....alot of people dont like his stuff, but i am not them...i think his stuff really makes sense as i actually think like him....here is the quote...
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If the quiet place of prayer-a closet or study, a bench in a garden, a narrow path through a forest,a cup of coffee and an open journal and Bible at the kitchen table-could represent the contemplatice practices, the meeting of the gathered community can symbolize the communal practices, whether we imagine a monastery, a country chapel, a great catherdal, or a informal faith communitymeeting in a home or pub.
As people gather for what is popularly called the "worship service" or "going to church," they are engaging-usually without realizing it-in the via communitiva.If spritiaul practices are actions within our power that help us become the kinds of people who can do thingscurrently beyond our power, then "going to church" means gathering for communal practices, engaging in a kind of group workout, if you will.In so doing, the community that carries on a way of life and it pracices calles people together weekly or seasonally or annually to reaffirm their commitment and practice being a community.
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Ok this brings me onto another thing groing through my mind lately...i would love to be able to do these spiritual practices with a community which would be open to practices them.
Alot of Modern Church Groups detaste the idea of spiritual practices, like fasting, meditation, feasting, contemplative prayer etc....
but i will continue this another day....
i will makes this topic into a couple of parts...i will look at community next time
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