Easter Sunday

Lisa Levy, Daniel and Julie Strain and I met today.  We discussed part of chapter three, and all of four and five.  We meditated for 15 minutes.  We will aim for reading through Chapter 10 for next Sunday.

Daniel had some helpful things to say about keeping in the present moment when meditating.  He counts his slow breaths to five, then begins again.  He said sometime he realized he’s neglected to think of the number as he exhales which signals that he hasn’t been paying attention.

I was interested in Daniel’s comparison of Stoicism and Buddhism.  Historically they began only a few hundred years apart at different parts of the ancient Silk Route, so it’s not out of the question that ancient Greeks could have known about the budding Buddhism from Asia.

When discussing Pema Chodron’s “Clear Seeing” in Chapter four, Lisa mentioned that she had years ago been a counselor for patients who were mentally ill.  She said that when they related stories to her she was aware that they were not necessarily factual.  In her mind she would discard the story line but look for the underlying emotion that was conveyed by the story.  When she addressed or recognized that emotion to the patient saying for example, ‘Oh, you must have been very frustrated (or angry, or hurt, etc.)’.  Immediately the patient would acknowledge that that was what they meant by the story.

The relationship then is in seeking the emotion our own “stories” are trying to convey.

We discussed “Clear Seeing” much more.  Some points, we each practice getting better at recognizing our ‘knee jerk’ emotional reactions when they occur aiming at stopping them before they occur.  Looking the emotion in the face and analyzing where those signals to react in that negative way are coming from and correcting that. Always with kindness towards ourself, not beating ourselves up, but replacing the negative emotion with more positive steps.

Julie commented on how much she enjoys reading Pema Chodron.  We all agreed.  She has a beautifully simple way of expressing her ideas so that they are easy to read.  Julie said it is almost as if she’s sitting in the same room with us.

 

 

Lenten suggestion – take a solitary walk.

Houston has lots of opportunities for quiet meditative walks.  The Houston Arboretum on Woodway just before the West Loop is a great place to enjoy a walk in the woods while your in the middle of Houston.  There are several labyrinths around our area too.  At St. Thomas University (photo below), park on Mt. Vernon near W. Alabama St.  The labyrinth is just inside that entrance on your left next to the chapel. Covenant Baptist on Caroline St. also has a labyrinth.

What is The Presence Group?

Recently Tom, St. Stephen’s Communications Director, asked me, “What does The Presence Group do?  What do you study?” … or something like that.

I was put on the spot.  We read books, we discuss them, we meditate, and we attempt to find common ground spiritually though those readings and discussions with other Christian and non-Christian spiritual traditions.  Happily I believe that has been successful.

The purpose of our group has been to help each other to live lives that are aligned with the living presence of God within us and to recognize that that Presence resides in all God’s creation and to wonder in that revelation.

Thanks Tom for asking that good question.  🙂

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Book Study for January 5, 2014

We were unable to meet on December 29th.   We will be meeting as usual on January 5, 2014.

The Presence Group continues to progress in our two selections, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard, and Christian Meditation, by James Finley.  We continue to discuss chapters 5 and 6 from Christian Meditation and Chapter 4 in Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.  Feel free to read further into either or both at your own pace.

We are moving slowly as there is much to contemplate.   We’ve found Christian Meditation to be packed with wonderful material to discuss almost paragraph by paragraph.  The miriad of visually stunning images in  Pilgrim at Tinker Creek need much reflection time too.

Christian Meditation is a book that seems to resonate in our everyday lives.  Weekly we relate experiences that we have had that connect to our readings.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard

Christian Meditation, by James Finley is an instruction book on meditation for beginners and practitioners alike.

The metaphorical Pilgrim at Tinker Creek alongside the instructional Christian Meditation is an interesting combination.

—————————

Proceedure:

1:00 to 1:15 gather together in the library at St. Stephen’s

1:15 to 2:10 discussion of the current chapter(s)

2:15 to 2:30 Meditation Period in the library

—————————-

You are invited to join us.

For more information contact Winifred Bellido.

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Book Study for December 22, 2013

The Presence Group continues to progress in our two selections, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard, and Christian Meditation, by James Finley.  We continue to discuss chapters 5 and 6 from Christian Meditation and Chapter 4 in Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.  Feel free to read further into either or both at your own pace.

We were unable to meet on December 8th due to illness and members out of town.

We are moving slowly as there is much to contemplate.   We’ve found Christian Meditation to be packed with wonderful material to discuss almost paragraph by paragraph.  The miriad of visually stunning images in  Pilgrim at Tinker Creek need much reflection time too.

Christian Meditation is a book that seems to resonate in our everyday lives.  Weekly we relate experiences that we have had that connect to our readings.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard

Christian Meditation, by James Finley is an instruction book on meditation for beginners and practitioners alike.

The metaphorical Pilgrim at Tinker Creek alongside the instructional Christian Meditation is an interesting combination.

—————————

Proceedure:

1:00 to 1:15 gather together in the library at St. Stephen’s

1:15 to 2:10 discussion of the current chapter(s)

2:15 to 2:30 Meditation Period in the library

—————————-

You are invited to join us.

For more information contact Winifred Bellido.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Book Study for December 8, 2013

The Presence Group continues to progress in our two selections, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard, and Christian Meditation, by James Finley.  We continue to discuss chapter 4 from Christian Meditation and Chapter 3 and 4 in Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.  Feel free to read into Chapter 5 of either or both.

Each week in our discussions we wonder about James Finley’s mentor Thomas Merton.  Several years ago our group read Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation.  Unfortunately the writing left us cold.  Since we have read many references to Merton from authors who have been influenced by him.  We would like suggestions on another of Merton’s books to read at some future date.  Please leave your suggestions in the comment section below this post.  

If it seems we’re going slowly, you’re right we are.  <g>  We’ve found Christian Meditation to be packed with wonderful material to discuss almost paragraph by paragraph.  The miriad of visually stunning images in  Pilgrim at Tinker Creek need much reflection time too.

Christian Meditation is a book that seems to resonate in our everyday lives.  Weekly we relate experiences that we have had that connect to our readings.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard

Christian Meditation, by James Finley is an instruction book on meditation for beginners and practitioners alike.

The metaphorical Pilgrim at Tinker Creek alongside the instructional Christian Meditation is an interesting combination.

—————————

Proceedure:

1:00 to 1:15 gather together in the library at St. Stephen’s

1:15 to 2:10 discussion of the current chapter(s)

2:15 to 2:30 Meditation Period in the library

—————————-

You are invited to join us.

For more information contact Winifred Bellido.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Book Study for December 1, 2013

The Presence Group continues to progress in our two selections, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard, and Christian Meditation, by James Finley.  We continue to discuss chapter 4 from Christian Meditation and Chapter 3 and 4 in Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.  Feel free to read into Chapter 5 of either or both.

If it seems we’re going slowly, you’re right we are.  <g>  We’ve found Christian Meditation to be packed with wonderful material to discuss almost paragraph by paragraph.  The miriad of visually stunning images in  Pilgrim at Tinker Creek need much reflection time too.

Christian Meditation is a book that seems to resonate in our everyday lives.  Weekly we relate experiences that we have had that connect to our readings.

An App aid for meditation was mentioned today.  You can find it at peacefulhabits.com.  There you’ll see a menu on the right for linking your device to their site.  The site was begun by Dr. Jude Theriot a neurologist specializing in brain injury rehabilitation who uses meditation techniques in his practice.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard

Christian Meditation, by James Finley is an instruction book on meditation for beginners and practitioners alike.

The metaphorical Pilgrim at Tinker Creek alongside the instructional Christian Meditation is an interesting combination.

—————————

Proceedure:

1:00 to 1:15 gather together in the library at St. Stephen’s

1:15 to 2:10 discussion of the current chapter(s)

2:15 to 2:30 Meditation Period in the library

—————————-

You are invited to join us.

For more information contact Winifred Bellido.

Name(required)

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Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Book Study for November 24, 2013

The Presence Group continues to progress in our two selections, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard, and Christian Meditation, by James Finley.  We continue to discuss chapters 3 & 4 from Christian Meditation and Chapter 3 in Pilgrim at Tinker Creek.

If it seems we’re going slowly, you’re right we are.  <g>  We’ve found Christian Meditation to be packed with wonderful material to discuss almost paragraph by paragraph.  The miriad of visually stunning images in  Pilgrim at Tinker Creek need much reflection time too.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, by Annie Dillard

Christian Meditation, by James Finley is an instruction book on meditation for beginners and practitioners alike.

The metaphorical Pilgrim at Tinker Creek alongside the instructional Christian Meditation is an interesting combination.

—————————

Proceedure:

1:00 to 1:15 gather together in the library at St. Stephen’s

1:15 to 2:10 discussion of the current chapter(s)

2:15 to 2:30 Meditation Period in the library

—————————-

You are invited to join us.

For more information contact Winifred Bellido.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Book Study for November 17, 2013

The Presence Group continues to progress in our two selections, “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”, by Annie Dillard, and “Christian Meditation”, by James Finley.  We continue to discuss chapters 1, 2, 3, and those who wish will be reading chapters 4 from both books for future discussion.

If it seems we’re going slowly, you’re right we are.  <g>  We’ve found Chapter 3 of Christian Meditation to be especially slow going, simply because it is packed with wonderful material to discuss almost paragraph by paragraph.

“Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”, by Annie Dillard

“Christian Meditation”, by James Finley is an instruction book on meditation for beginners and practitioners alike.

The metaphorical “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” alongside the instructional “Christian Meditation” is an interesting combination.

—————————

Proceedure:

1:00 to 1:15 gather together in the library at St. Stephen’s

1:15 to 2:10 discussion of the current chapter(s)

2:15 to 2:30 Meditation Period in the library

—————————-

You are invited to join us.

For more information contact Winifred Bellido.

Name(required)

Email(required)

Comment(required)

Submit

Δ

Meditations – Sunday Nov. 3, 2013

It’s the Sunday after All Saints’ Day.  The Presence Group has been reading Chapters 2 & 3 of “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” and “Christian Meditation”.

From “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”:  These readings can be overwhelming with so many descriptions, then a sentence will leap out.  For example, from p. 53, “Things out of place are ill.”  What an odd term to use, but it fits.  How many times have we heard the angry ravings of someone who is upset all out of proportion to the issue.  Yes, that is ‘ill’.  How often we hear something or see something that causes us to think, ‘that’s not right’.  It is ill, out of place.  We need to walk with care and keep aware.  Stay in the present moment.  Be alert for the ‘out of place’ and inexpressible joy as well.

From “Christian Meditation”:  Reading from location 487, “… Truth is, meditation has a way of laying bare our poverty.  “… the prevailing attitude of meditation is to have nonjudgemental compassion for yourself as you discover yourself clinging to and rejecting everything.”  … Our meditation fosters and embodies a Christlike compassion in which we realize our own mind and heart to be the one lost sheep that we must lovingly gather up and bring back to the fold of present-moment attentiveness.…”

So then, meditation leads individuals to recognize with compassion our own difficulties.  Recognize we cannot judge others harshly when we ourselves have such a difficult time being compassionate towards ourselves.  Practicing compassion towards ourselves will turn on our compassion for others.

Thoughts on James Finley’s writing about his first steps toward meditation reinforced several members’ reflections, namely:

Meditation is a lifetime practice.

There are definite guidelines for practicing meditation, but each person is on a journey of self-instruction and practice; i.e., each of us discovers our own best practice to meditate.

There will be set backs.

Be careful not to have expectations beyond building the habit of meditation itself.

The practice of meditation is its own excellent reward over time.

“Pilgrim at Tinker Creek”, by Annie Dillard is highly metaphorical and thrills us no end.

“Christian Meditation”, by James Finley is an instruction book on meditation for beginners and practitioners alike.

The metaphorical “Pilgrim at Tinker Creek” alongside the instructional “Christian Meditation” is an interesting combination.