by the Rev. Toby Darrah
In our “Love God, Love God’s World” discussion group this week, one of the things we talked about was the ways in which we feel more connected to the earth. I mentioned that something I’ve noticed is that I feel more connected not only to the earth but also to the community when I’m able to walk places instead of driving everywhere. It also reminded me of how when I was a kid crawling around in my yard, making (probably structurally unsound) tents and houses out of sticks and vines, or visiting with roly-polies and ladybugs, I felt much more rooted in earthliness than I might now, when my life circumstances are such that I spend more time looking at nature from the window than I do actually encountering it in an embodied way.
(This is partly my own fault and partly due to various life circumstances, but it’s something I intend to be more mindful about as we move into spring!)
I wonder, as we move into Lent and we’re supposed to be thinking about sin and repentance and the ways in which we might return to God, might I also be living in ways that I’m not rooting myself so much in the experience of God? Might I be spending more time metaphorically watching God through the window than actively seeking God’s presence? Fun fact: it’s actually very easy for clergy to let the experience of God slip into being an intellectual exercise if we aren’t intentional about making sure it’s also spiritual! You would think we’d know better, and yet here we are.
I am going to make room in my life for a new spiritual practice or two during this Lent. I think centering prayer might be a good one for the current shape of my life—it doesn’t take a lot of preparation or time, and I can do it at work or at home or maybe even at the park on a warm day. I’d like to also add some mindful movement prayer—maybe some yoga or dance—but this is a less-formed idea. I invite you to find a spiritual practice that speaks to you—movement, centering, guided meditation, praying the Rosary or using Anglican prayer beads, chanting, journaling—there are many possibilities! Give it a try during Lent and see if it helps you feel more connected with God and the world. Please feel free to talk about it with me if you like—I’d love to hear how it goes for you!