Meditation Moment for Lent ~ Day 12: Give Up, Take on, Pray '24

February 27, 2024 ~ 2nd Tuesday in Lent

~ Evelyn Underhill

        In a lifestyle so governed by cell phones, "smart" watches, electronic “assistants,” following an average of 7+ different social media platforms, job intensity, crazy traffic, bad weather, home maintenance, laundry,  grocery shopping, meal providing, school events, exercise, sometimes church, sports tv, Xbox, online shopping, all while wearing headphones for music or news or talk radio, streaming video bingeing, all too rarely a full night's sleep and now: AI! ~ it's no wonder we have difficulty turning off all of the external stimulants of and in life and finding a truly quiet moment. What are we teaching our children? How are we living?

Guardian of my Soul and Spirit,

        The outside noise is filling me on the inside and shutting You out. I'm so easily distracted by all of the demands and opportunities of "outside" life. Please call me back from the brink of spiritual implosion. For today, I will give up 15 minutes of external stimulation and set a timer to take on sitting alone, quietly, with no agenda but breathing in and breathing out. Yes, I know there's lots of other stuff to do but I will let the thoughts come in and go out. I will let go of the thoughts that want to stick around for questions and analysis. When the timer goes off to signal the end of the time, I will spend an extra moment to pray for the willingness and follow through to look for guidance on meditation and the development of an interior/spiritual life.  I know that I need the “inside” space, quiet, freedom, and connection with You to help assuage the craziness of the "outside." I know it will feel awkward at first but maybe if I just try on the 15 minute thing for awhile, even if I have to lock myself into the bathroom and let the shower run to keep everyone and everything at bay, it will help me cope better with the other 1,425 minutes in my day.  amen.  

       

Evelyn Underhill [1875-1941] was one of the most widely read authors on Christian mysticism, religion, and spiritual practice in the early years of the 20th Century and continues to be read today. She began her writing with satirical poems moved to novels of heroic mystical journeys, and onto readable treatises on mysticism. Her many books include Mysticism, The Spiritual Life, and several well-received novels that interweave spiritual themes such as The Grey World.  She considered herself as an Anglo-Catholic and was the first woman to give lectures to Anglican clergy as well as the first woman to lead spiritual retreats. Recognized as a theologian and spiritual director Underhill sought to reconcile the spiritual realm with everyday realities that are in opposition to the Divine but redeemed when revisited with a lens of divine radiance.  Not at all proclaiming reclusiveness as a path to spiritual wholeness she said: "It seems so much easier in these days to live morally than to live beautifully. Lots of us manage to exist for years without ever sinning against society, but we sin against loveliness every hour of the day."

All compositions remain the property of the owner of this blog but may be used with attribution and edited for local use as long as they are not sold or charged for in any way. For more information or comments, contact: Leeosophy@gmail.com