March, 1996 Volume VII, Number 3
As we try to live a life more in touch with the spiritual dimension, we find that we must make decisions and choices which allow us time and space for practice. Some of us may find this in following the practices designated by a specific denomination or faith. Some of these may be required commitments to be in good standing within a particular community. Some may follow the advice of a spiritual director, guide or friend. Others of us find that our life grows by accumulation; as we encounter different ways of connecting to that greater spirit, we add on what seems to help and let go of what is no longer working. In these ways, and in others, our spiritual life becomes part of our ordinary day. We may find that as we make efforts toward 'conscious contact' this has the effect of changing and ordering every day.
In planning the retreat we noticed that there are several ways to approach this topic. The bare bones of two of them follow. The first asks us to look at where we have been, where we are going, what are the resistances, and what new choices might we make. The second asks us to look at the invitations we receive, how we hear and respond to them; the process of making a commitment; how we make discernments, evaluate outcomes, and work with resistances. During the retreat we will try to cover these areas by looking at our own experience of being on a path and what we have learned as we tried to practice. We will look at what is a psychologically healthy spirituality to aid our choices. We will share what we have learned about resistance and try to discover what our next steps might be to make our spiritual life match our vision. Some may wish to learn more about the way groups have ordered there life according to spiritual principles or a series of practices in order to apply this knowledge to their own lives. We will all try to come out of the retreat with a better sense of direction and a committment to, or reaffirmation of our spiritual life.
Please preregister by sending your intentions to Barbara Ballard, 2961 Rio Rita Ave., Louisville, KY 40220, phone 502-458-6022. Include $5 of the registration fee (non-refundable). The due date is March 14th, after that date a registration is late.
Our February Day of Recollection centered on the topic of self-restraint.
In many scriptures it tells us that one of the ways spirit shows itself is
through self-control. Many religions offer ways for their followers to learn
self-retraint. In Islam, for example, the fast of Ramadan is a required
exercise of self restraint. During the daylight hours of this month, a
faithful Muslim does not eat or drink; yet after dark one returns to moderately
meeting one's physical needs. Ramadan occured during February this year and we
were pleased to be joined by some friends of John Parks from the local mosque
who shared with us their experience of Ramadan. The Imam of their mosque spoke
to us about the 'night of power'. It was in the month of Ramadan that Mohammed
was gifted to receive the revelation of the Koran. The night he received his
revelation is called the Night of Power. In darkenss was born a great light,
and for Islam, that light is the Koran, the holy book. It was the basis of
education and led to social and intellectual transformation as it spread
outwards into the world. So Ramadan is a month of forgiveness and purification
when one may recharge one's spiritual energy and be able to transmit that
Light. Each person who practices the fast is making ready for a 'night of
power' and can expect to be closer to the moment of revelation and transmission
of Light from God. This assurance is some of what makes a period of self-
restraint worth while.
We also talked about the problems of self-restraint in terms of
addiction. Although addiction is complex, some thought regarding it may help
us to understand our confusions about self-restraint. First a brief discussion
on 'food'. We all have a variety of needs and these needs are satisfied with
an appropriate 'food'. Our physical body is nourished by the nutrients we
provide it (everything from brown rice to Big Mac's). Our emotional needs are
met through the 'food' we get in relationship through the empathy of support
and our own learned ability to share and understand feelings. Our intellectual
needs are nourished through the 'food' of education, contact with wise people,
writing and reading and so on. Our spiritual needs are met through 'food'
found in faith, intentionality, and remembrance. These descriptions are not
meant to be comprehensive but just a starting place for thought. We all find
that we have some addictive attractions (or aversions) and may 'overeat' if we
are not observant. At times we try to meet one set of needs with the wrong
food; for example, eating junk food because one feels lonely, or endless
intellectual reading when one feels empty in spirit.
When one considers self-control, it is often to correct these
addictive cycles. A greater notion of self-control can be found by reflecting
on the notion of an imaginary, optimally healthy person who has all needs being
met appropriately and whose life is in balance. One might then think what a
gift this would be. And so it is, for the balance seems to proceed, not from
willful self-restraint but from a willingness of spirit, an internal surrender
to a natural order inherent in the mystery in which we live. We know that this
'connection' to an order or source greater than ourselves can heal life
threatening addictions (such as alcohol or drugs). It may also be of
assistance in the many smaller but no less irritating addictions in our own
lives. This notion of self-control is nourished by mindfulness,
self-surrender, and conscious reflection, reaching out for god's will for us
with an expectation of assistance.
We found the following questions helpful for continuing and
personalizing our consideration of self-restraint. 1) What is your own
definition of self-control or restraint, and where did it come from (culture,
family, religion,...)? 2) How has this concept affected you? 3) How do you
respond when you have problems with self-control? 4) What form of connection
to your center is meaningful? When you are feeling connected, what leadings or
help do you receive?
A.S.
QUARTERLY RETREAT
March 22, 23, and 24th from 7:00 PM Friday to noon on Sunday.
At Knobs Haven, Sisters of Loretto Motherhouse, Nerinx, KY.
Theme: Organizing our spiritual life.
Fee: Timely $45 room and board. Late $55.
Pre-register by sending $5 of the fee (non-refundable) to Barbara Ballard,
2961 Rio Rita Ave., Louisville, KY 40220; phone 502-458-6022, by March
14th.