It looks as though the summer blog series and learning party on What is a Spiritual Practice is off to a good start. I am certainly looking forward to all that we can learn together about how God speaks to us and how everyday experiences can deepen our relationship to God.
As well as the posts and comments already on this blog which I have listed at the end of this post, Beth Stedman posted this great reflection on Crying as a Spiritual Practice. I found it very thought provoking and intriguing and will definitely be meditating on her thoughts throughout the day.
For me crying is a spiritual practice, a spiritual experience that changes me and takes me closer to the heart of my Father. Allow me to explain and expand a little… To start with, understand that I’m not really the type who cries at the drop of a hat. You have to be a pretty close friend to have seen me cry as I usually only cry around people I feel really comfortable with. But, I do cry fairly regularly and when I cry I really cry. It usually starts with some little trigger and then grows until I’m crying about everything that I possibly could cry about.
But, there’s something that almost always happens at some point during my crying which I’m not sure is normal or not, maybe it shows my own weakness of faith, but almost always at some point my crying escalates and get’s turned on God. Suddenly it isn’t just about whatever it is I’m crying about, suddenly it’s about me and God and all my insecurities in my relationship with God. Read the entire blog post
I am still enlisting aid from friends and colleagues in this but already have a great line up for the next few weeks of bloggers from all over the world so I expect that we will get to hear some diverse and possibly challenging perspectives. As well as that the upcoming MSA Seed Sampler which will be published next week is on Writing as a Spiritual Discipline. It will include some interesting articles on blogging, twittering, journalling and writing prayers as spiritual disciplines.
If you would like to contribute a reflection or if there is an activity that you perform regularly that you would like to hear others comment on as a spiritual practice please let me know.
Check out reflections already on this blog:
Breathing as Spiritual Practice
Taking a Shower as Spiritual Practice
Reimagining our Spiritual Practices
Filed under: Christianity, life, Prayer, Prayer and inspiration, spiritual practices, spirituality Tagged: | Beth Stedman, crying, spiritual practice
[...] Crying as a Spiritual Practice a follow-up by Christine Sine, at [...]
Wow. What a great series, and what a great balance to the more commonly thought of spiritual exercises.
My community and I are using some slightly revised 12 steps as something of a ‘community rule.’ If you don’t get someone to do a post on apologizing, and you want one let me know.
I would love it if you would do a post on apologizing. Found your 12 steps on http://gettingfree.wordpress.com/ very interesting. At MSA we also have a rule of life with some similarities. Will post more about that soon
[...] of or done in that way. My favorites so far are posts (each from different people) on showering, crying, and visits to cemeteries; and I could tell stories of how God has met me powerfully amidst all [...]
[...] Bethany Stedman – crying as a spiritual practice [...]
Spiritual Practice for me is remembering who I am In Christ, and keeping my focus on Him. I used to here from people like my mom, “Jackie, I just want you to be happy.” Lately I’ve been asking God about “being happy.” Then, somewhere I read, “Happiness is what happens.” Joy is not. We could all give examples of things that happen that cause us to feel happy. When our focus is on Our Lord, we can feel happy. Happy to know the Joy of the Lord is my strength. Otherwise,
I can not say in general I am a happy person, because outside of my relationship with God, not too many things happen that cause me to feel happy. I hope someone understands what I am trying to say.
Example, I don’t hear from my loved ones hardly at all and only God can bring about reconciliation. Rejection is painful, and who knows that better than Jesus, so some share in His sufferings this way.
He comforts me.
[...] Bethany Stedman – crying as a spiritual practice [...]
I don’t know exactly how to say this, but I have come to a lot of spiritual realizations in the last couple of days one of which left my crying uncontrollably, and almost unexplained, with an almost neutral or positive like affect. I wanted to say thanks for posting this and linking the article, it was very insightful. Peace and love to you my friends.
[...] Bethany Stedman – crying as a spiritual practice [...]
Just to say: Thanks for the sharing. It gave me some answers, thanks.
your welcome
Your welcome and God bless you