Spiritual practices, like meditation and even church-going, can become spiritual bypass—ways of bypassing reality both outside and inside of us, dissociating from wounds within and without, ignoring the healing work that needs to be done in our inner and outer world. 

But spiritual practices can also be vehicles for transformation of both ourselves and our world.
 
How?—by giving us new ways of seeing and being (which is the whole point of authentic spiritual practice). 
 
Let’s take a look at a few practices... 
  
Conscious Breathing: With as little as 10 slow, complete exhales and 10 full, relaxed inhales, we can calm the fight, flight, freeze survival impulse, allowing us to move from a reactive, closed off, defensive place to a receptive, open, deeper place.

Centering Prayer: Through daily practice of 20 minutes of silent surrendering to God’s presence & action, we let go of our ego-drivenness and receive inner healing of compulsions and soul wounds.  Not only does this bring personal freedom but it releases us from projecting our compulsions and wounds on others and passing them down to our children.

Lectio Divina: Spiritual reading allows a word or phrase in a small portion of inspired text, whether sacred Scriptures like the Psalms or a poem, to speak to us. Rather than bringing what we already know or studying it, we allow the text to study us!  As we bring our story, our lives, to it, we humbly listen for the wisdom and guidance being offered (which may be encouragement to see a counselor or write a letter to your senator!).     

Awareness Examen: Looking over our lives at the end of the day through the eyes of God helps us become aware of God’s life-giving presence and action (and the times throughout the day when we were unaware or resistant).  The patterns of what is life-giving and life-draining help us discern who we are and what we are to offer this world.

Silent Retreats: Extended time in silence and solitude creates space for our souls to rest and play which opens us to better hear the “still, small voice” which may be drowned out by the external noise of daily life or the internal noise of comparing ourselves to others.
 
There are so many practices I could list here but the point isn’t the practice itself, it’s the “fruit.”

Seated meditation may not fit you.  You may desire some kind of moving meditation, like dance or qigong.  Or you may prefer to spend time in nature or doing art. 

What practices have you found that cultivate love in you?  What helps you have eyes to see and tend to the suffering both inside yourself and in others?  Which ways of wisdom help you discern what is yours to offer this world (not out of compulsion but compassion)?  A Spiritual Director can companion you on this journey of discovery of spiritual practices.
 
But remember, it’s not necessarily the practices, it’s the humans who are transformed by these practices, that this world needs.  What do spiritual practices like Centering Prayer offer a hurting world?—YOU!

Being Holy Week, let's allow the art of German priest and artist, Sieger Köder (1925-2015), to lead us in meditation.  "The Eucharist" or "Communion Table" is the subject for these two paintings that will receive our contemplative gaze.

Look closely at the first, depicting Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper found in Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 13.

Look: What or who catches your eye?  Let your eyes rest there for a moment.  
Notice: What stirs in you?  Feelings, bodily sensations, thoughts/questions/curiosities...    
Ask:  "God, what are you saying to me through this painting?"  
Listen:  Pay attention to any words, images, memories, scriptures, songs, feelings, etc. that may arise. You might choose to journal.  

Now look at the second painting below with those from the 1940's WWII-era with the risen Christ.  A Jew, prostitute, beggar, clown, scholar, rich woman (maybe a widow), and wounded African guest worker with Nazi concentration camp pajamas have been invited (and have come!) to the table.   You might repeat the above questions or focus in on a particular person at the table.       

Look: Who catches your eye?  Or, who do you most identify with or feel resistance towards?    
Notice: What does this person stir in you?  Feelings, bodily sensations, thoughts/curiosities...   
Ask:  "God, what are you showing or saying to me through this person?"  
Listen:  Pay attention to any words, images, memories, scriptures, songs, feelings, etc. that may arise. You might choose to journal.

Now let both paintings dance together.  What do you notice?  Is there a theme in what is being communicated to you through the paintings?  Are you aware of any invitations?  

Like parables, Sieger Köder's paintings contain many layers of meaning.  There are endless ways to engage them, like entering one or both of the paintings through your imagination as an observer, one who joins Jesus at the table, or is the face of Christ for those present.  What happens next? 

Whatever happens next, may your time at the table speak to your soul and lead you further on the path of and toward Life.