This morning's writing time is shorter, since I need to write a rough draft of tomorrow's sermon--I'm not too worried about it, since I've been composing it in my head. But I do want to get a draft down before breakfast. Let me collect some fragments from the last few days that I don't want to lose.
--We've been doing lots of guided meditations. At the beginning of yesterday's guided meditation at the end of our mysticism module, we put a hand over our hearts. I was able to slip my hand inside my shirt and put my fingers on my skin. I wrapped my other hand around my wrist and felt my pulse. I adjusted my fingers and hand to actually feel my heart beat. We focused on our breath: one phrase for the inhale and one for the exhale. Eventually the goal was to have the words drop away, and we could be one with God. I found it very grounding to feel my heart beating.
--At the beginning of our Howard Thurman module yesterday afternoon and again for closing worship yesterday evening, we did lectio divina with Thurman's work. It was a great way to enter a difficult text: take a smaller chunk of it and read it several times (we did 4) noting the word or phrase that spoke to us. I wondered if first year college students could benefit from this practice. I plan to find out!
--Our small group discussions have been powerful. I don't always have that feeling about small groups, but this time, I've enjoyed them. Better, I've felt nourished by them.
--This whole time at seminary has felt nourishing. I'm glad I had this time to slip away, before my summer commitments start, before the seminary closes.
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