This was beautifully written. There’s a definite collapse of the structures of faith. A large loud divide. I have been floating in this essence of deconstruction from a painful evangelical past and practicing the presence of God with brother Lawrence discerning RCIA classes. I love love love Thomas Merton and Richard Rohr 💖
Thank you so much. I too love merton and rohr…they have helped me and helped so many of my clients on their journey through their deconstruction. Praying for you on the journey. <3
I just checked out your spiritual direction page I love that you call it belovedness. I sometimes call my practice blessing nature. Because I often find God more in silence sitting for hours quiet than church. I love the contemplative side of prayer. I spent too much tine in my head trying to find answers that don’t exist; trying to belong to a religion that doesn’t fit bc society said so. So I follow blessing nature 🙂 do you go to church? No judgement for real, I’m always curious what church mystic types go to
What I recognize here is that peace is not something a person simply decides to feel. It has to be formed. The heart needs rhythm, correction, shared meals, awkward conversations, forgiveness, and people who keep showing up when the nafs would rather run, win, or be right.
Congratulations on your anniversary! And also, my respect for creating a community that became a solid ground for its members to stand on, in the shifting sands of today's world. You and your friends have accomplished something very significant. It's heartening to read your words about commitment and learn about your experience of what can be built from people coming together in the spirit of commitment to one another.
I'm a member of a small spiritual community, and I very much resonated with your words. "Community is not comfort. It is not something that happens on its own. It is formed through repetition, through staying, through choosing one another over and over again." Yes! After a long time of choosing one another over and over again, people develop a sense that no matter what arises, we can work it out. There is a profound sense of security that comes from it.
“To build community for the sake of community, and nothing else.” This has me thinking deeply, and it’s a fresh perspective that really hits at my center. Thank you for writing this piece and sharing your wisdom.
This was beautifully written. There’s a definite collapse of the structures of faith. A large loud divide. I have been floating in this essence of deconstruction from a painful evangelical past and practicing the presence of God with brother Lawrence discerning RCIA classes. I love love love Thomas Merton and Richard Rohr 💖
Thank you so much. I too love merton and rohr…they have helped me and helped so many of my clients on their journey through their deconstruction. Praying for you on the journey. <3
I just checked out your spiritual direction page I love that you call it belovedness. I sometimes call my practice blessing nature. Because I often find God more in silence sitting for hours quiet than church. I love the contemplative side of prayer. I spent too much tine in my head trying to find answers that don’t exist; trying to belong to a religion that doesn’t fit bc society said so. So I follow blessing nature 🙂 do you go to church? No judgement for real, I’m always curious what church mystic types go to
Two resonating words in one week…….mmmm………❤️
<3 <3 <3 Thanks John! Bit love to you.
What I recognize here is that peace is not something a person simply decides to feel. It has to be formed. The heart needs rhythm, correction, shared meals, awkward conversations, forgiveness, and people who keep showing up when the nafs would rather run, win, or be right.
Congratulations on your anniversary! And also, my respect for creating a community that became a solid ground for its members to stand on, in the shifting sands of today's world. You and your friends have accomplished something very significant. It's heartening to read your words about commitment and learn about your experience of what can be built from people coming together in the spirit of commitment to one another.
I'm a member of a small spiritual community, and I very much resonated with your words. "Community is not comfort. It is not something that happens on its own. It is formed through repetition, through staying, through choosing one another over and over again." Yes! After a long time of choosing one another over and over again, people develop a sense that no matter what arises, we can work it out. There is a profound sense of security that comes from it.
I love this essay. I’m so glad I stumbled upon your work.
“To build community for the sake of community, and nothing else.” This has me thinking deeply, and it’s a fresh perspective that really hits at my center. Thank you for writing this piece and sharing your wisdom.