Spiritual Courage in a Disruptive World
Human beings have always struggled with change. Religious doctrines and rituals developed as a way to explain and to try to control "disruptions" to the peace and harmony we human beings have always believed to be our birthright. So much of human history and culture was born from and shaped by this determination to return to the mythic "good old days", or, to at least try to assure peace in the afterlife.
We now find ourselves in an age marked by a near-universal recognition of disruption as an unavoidable, pressing reality - exacerbated by millennia of human disrespect for our fundamental interdependence; our responsibility to care for one another and for this earth.
It's not just a matter of being burdened by the "natural" seasons and cycles of life anymore. It's no longer enough to speculate about Divine intention. Climate change, mass extinctions, political uprisings, migrations, and wealth disparity now weigh upon each and every one of us. We are more aware than ever before of these realities, of how they came about, and how they are likely to change our world. Concerns and fears about these changes are aded to the "ordinary" burdens of illnesses, family strife, regret, grief, loneliness, financial insecurity, etc.
These are tough times. The old rules no longer apply and that can feel incredibly scary. One thing I've found most helpful is to develop a different relationship with "disruption": honoring the pain it causes, while keeping watch for the creative potential it holds. That involves potentially paradigm-busting personal and collective shifts in perspective, habits, and choices.
Ultimately, I've found it necessitates spiritual courage. That's what I seek to cultivate in my own life, and, to inspire and support in the lives of others. With courage we are not limited by our fears and we are able to access and share joy - no matter what's going on.
Visit the drop-down pages for Mind, Body, and Spirit, where you can read some of the questions I might ask in a Spiritual Direction session.
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This website provides a small glimpse into my background and approach to fostering spiritual courage in a disruptive world.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you feel drawn to working with me as your Spiritual Director, or are interested in having me speak, lead worship or ritual or a retreat for your community.
You can also follow my FaceBook page TendingSpirit, which offers daily original reflections and memes.
Human beings have always struggled with change. Religious doctrines and rituals developed as a way to explain and to try to control "disruptions" to the peace and harmony we human beings have always believed to be our birthright. So much of human history and culture was born from and shaped by this determination to return to the mythic "good old days", or, to at least try to assure peace in the afterlife.
We now find ourselves in an age marked by a near-universal recognition of disruption as an unavoidable, pressing reality - exacerbated by millennia of human disrespect for our fundamental interdependence; our responsibility to care for one another and for this earth.
It's not just a matter of being burdened by the "natural" seasons and cycles of life anymore. It's no longer enough to speculate about Divine intention. Climate change, mass extinctions, political uprisings, migrations, and wealth disparity now weigh upon each and every one of us. We are more aware than ever before of these realities, of how they came about, and how they are likely to change our world. Concerns and fears about these changes are aded to the "ordinary" burdens of illnesses, family strife, regret, grief, loneliness, financial insecurity, etc.
These are tough times. The old rules no longer apply and that can feel incredibly scary. One thing I've found most helpful is to develop a different relationship with "disruption": honoring the pain it causes, while keeping watch for the creative potential it holds. That involves potentially paradigm-busting personal and collective shifts in perspective, habits, and choices.
Ultimately, I've found it necessitates spiritual courage. That's what I seek to cultivate in my own life, and, to inspire and support in the lives of others. With courage we are not limited by our fears and we are able to access and share joy - no matter what's going on.
Visit the drop-down pages for Mind, Body, and Spirit, where you can read some of the questions I might ask in a Spiritual Direction session.
*
This website provides a small glimpse into my background and approach to fostering spiritual courage in a disruptive world.
Please contact me at [email protected] if you feel drawn to working with me as your Spiritual Director, or are interested in having me speak, lead worship or ritual or a retreat for your community.
You can also follow my FaceBook page TendingSpirit, which offers daily original reflections and memes.