Depth of Now

If you have chosen to give Infinite Preciousness Practice a try, I want to invite you to some deeper reflection that may help you better "hear" the message of the practice. Today I woul like us to take a look at the first phrase: I am infinitely precious. Take a breath and speak this singular phrase to yourself. Is there resistance from within to the message of the phrase? Where do you feel that resistance arising, that is, can you locate that resistance in your body? Is there other internalized messaging that is pushing back against this message of infinite preciousness? Is there an image or "voice" related to this resistance? What image? Whose voice? As you reflect on these questions, gently offer love and acceptance to that part of you that resists feeling infinitely precious. How does that feel to you? Does that silent offering of love and acceptance change that feeling within? Remember, this is not an attempt to "fix" yourself an...

 I have taken awhile to get used to the word “practice.” Initially, it sounded like something that belonged in sports or some other realm. Over time, it has changed in tone to my inner ear. Practice implies that I keep working on something and with that work I may become more “skilled.” It is that becoming that catches my heart’s fancy, I believe. For too long, I believe that religious piety gave me a sense of having arrived or almost having arrived. Yet the more I practice, the more I see that each step forward moves me one step forward. I can and do sometimes step back, occasionally almost immediately after stepping forward! If I had some imagined goal of platonic perfection, each step would merely be frustrating and, in the extreme, tedious and infuriating. I have as my goal to continue to practice, to create a Rhythm out of that practice, and to trust that the practice could open me to a deepening Presence everywhere and all-the-time. As I have come to a resonance with the wor...

 I have noticed in myself the struggles that come with this change in my routine. Not going to a building when I am working, working from my home space, not “going out” so much to public places except, of course, the grocery store. For me, gathering with my faith community has generally been a source of comfort and strength. Even that is no longer possible at least for now. I have set about to create a few rituals in my own home-space. I write in my journal every morning. I begin that writing with 10 items about which (or whom) I am thankful. I begin there every day, with thankfulness. It has helped. However, any practice that keeps us grounded or reminds us of the sacred-nature of our time can become a “ritual,” practiced regularly as a source of comfort and peace. Other suggestions: Light a candle with your evening meal (or any meal) and speak aloud something good about the day. Place a reminder of important people or experiences or God or whatever on your bedside table to catch ...