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Zusatztext "Invaluable [for] expanding our definition and understanding of spiritual practice." - The Phoenix Spirit Informationen zum Autor Rev. Jane E. Vennard, a popular teacher on prayer and spiritual practice, offers lectures and leads retreats in ecumenical settings in the United States, Canada and abroad. She is the author of several books, including Fully Awake and Truly Alive: Spiritual Practices to Nurture Your Soul and Teaching - The Sacred Art: The Joy of Opening Minds & Hearts (both SkyLight Paths), and a long - time active member of Spiritual Directors International. She is ordained in the United Church of Christ to a ministry of teaching and spiritual direction. Klappentext With stories from her personal life and her experience as a spiritual director, Rev. Jane Vennard illustrates the joys and frustrations of spiritual practice, with insights from various religious traditions and exercises and meditations for your journey. Zusammenfassung Fulfill the reality that the glory of God is the human fully alive. "Reverend Vennard is fearlessly awake to the wild dance of life. Rather than sleeping through life, she awakens to it. Rather than escaping from reality, she embraces it. Rather than distracting herself with a life to come, she dares to live the life that is. And she wants you to do all this as well. Read this book. Live this book. Wake up." —from the Foreword In a culture enthralled with technology, striving and speed, people of many faith traditions and no faith tradition long to slow down, pay attention and wake up to the present moment. They want help in realizing their hope that they can become more truly alive. This engaging and highly readable book offers you guidance for the journey. Sharing stories from her personal life as a spiritual seeker and from her professional career as a retreat leader, spiritual director and teacher, Reverend Jane Vennard illustrates the joys and frustrations of spiritual practice, offers insights from various religious traditions, and provides step-by-step exercises and meditations to practice: Caring for the body • Rest • Silence Solitude • Letting go • Community • Hospitality • Service • Living gratefully Inhaltsverzeichnis Foreword by Rami Shapiro xiii Introduction xv Expanding Our Understanding of Prayer and Spiritual Practice xvi Defining Terms xvi Becoming Fully Alive xviii Examining Our Practices xix On Cushion, Off Cushion xx A Variety of Practices xxi 1. The Practice of Caring for Your Body Finding New Images, Deep Wisdom, and Blessings 1 Body Image: Experiencing Your Body as a Gift 3 Befriending Your Body 5 Embodied Wisdom 7 Healing the Divide 10 How Are You Called to Practice? 11 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 13 Writing a Letter to Your Body 13 Body Blessing 14 2. The Practice of Rest Restoring Your Energy, Your Creativity, and Your Spirit 15 Cultural Perceptions of Resting 16 Restful Activities 19 Biblical Call to Rest 21 Four Steps of the Creative Process 23 Sabbath Rest 24 How Are You Called to Practice? 26 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 27 Grateful Breathing 27 Resting While You Walk 28 3. The Practice of Silence Finding Spaciousness, Stillness, and Inner Peace 29 Discovering Well-Being in Quiet Places 30 Listening to Ourselves and Beyond Ourselves 31 Honoring Effortless Silence 34 Practicing Silence in a Supportive Community 35 Exploring the Shadow Side of Silence 36 Be Still and Know That I Am God 39 How Are You Called to Practice? 41 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 43 A Variety of Meditation and Contemplative Prayer Practices 43 Breath Counting 43 Centering Prayer 44 True Meditation 45 4. The Practice of Solitude Making Friends with Yourse...
