YOUR INVITATION TO JOIN KATHRYN PILE FOR CENTERING MEDITATION THURSDAYS 5PM
Dear Meditators 22/03/22
This week is the first of five reflections on hope Mystical Hope from the spiritual writer, Episcopal priest, Cynthia Bourgeault from her book by that name. Today’s session is on Journey to the Wellspring.
The aim:
- To join with God’s Presence through silent meditation
- To deepen that intention through breath, image, word and to practice ways to allow yourselves to become one with the source of Hope
- To experience through spiritual growth, the transformative qualities of hope.
irst a short introduction… Cynthia invites us to find our way to the hope that does not disappoint or fail; a different kind of hope that has its source not in events and outcomes but in the mercy of God.
Mystical Hope shows how to recognize this hope in our lives, where it comes from, how to deepen it, and how to carry it into the world as a source of strength and renewal.
Beneath the upbeat kind of hope that parts the Red Sea another hope weaves its way as a quiet counterpoint. Habakkuk and Job in the bible knew of it – something unexpected springing up, a lightness that floods in despite all the hopelessness of the situation. Jesus speaks of this source with the Samaritan woman at the well and Paul’s understanding of the good news in Christ, is such that he ranks hope along with faith and love…
Let’s begin… reflections on the theme of hope…
- What if we are intended to become this vessel, this body of hope…Perhaps this effervescent, “lightness-of-being” energy is the fuel that drives human life towards its divine fulfilment.
- How do we accept the invitation at the Samaritan well that blazing midday…to the wellspring, to the secret of Jesus…the great inner journey?
- We are reminded in Scripture of the words of invitation…(John 4:13-14) “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
Relax now in body and mind, slow your breathing, and enter your meditation, centering your prayer, your will and intention on the longing of being in God’s presence in hope…an abiding state of being, a lightness of being… a bare energy of open hearted expectancy to the secret of Jesus.
Love and every blessing, Kathryn
Bourgeault, Cynthia, Mystical Hope – Trusting in the Mercy of God: Cowley Publication, Maryland USA, 2001.
Remember to watch an introduction to Centering Prayer Meditation. You can see it here
Let me know how you are finding this time – If you have any suggestions or requests. I always like to hear from you.
Kathryn