Charleston: Change Again

“I have been changed. I am not the same person I was before. Over time, over many experiences, good and bad, I have grown in understanding, awareness and compassion. I have found a deeper sense of peace. I have come to appreciate the importance of love.” —Steven Charleston, Daily Facebook page.

I know we are called to articulate our truth as best we can; but then I realize that we must let it go. This is hard, because the life approach we have been taught has been like a dog with a bone about issues we are passionate about. I try to turn the situation over, to give up the “bone.”

Nevertheless, it is hard to give up our admiration of people who are like that faithful Border Collie with a bone about issues they believe in. Many of us have realized the cost to our own body, mind, and soul of holding onto that bone. We may find it difficult to achieve peace, to hold onto love. Our arteries tighten up. When we lose, we think we must try harder. When we win, we may simply strive harder to keep doing it better.

This is my hope for change: That we will no longer see life as win or lose. Rather, we have a part: We are to step out of our comfort zone and speak out in love and try to make a difference. More and more we know that for every cross there is a resurrection. God brings about the resurrection, rolls away the stone. Our job is to keep looking and listening for every possible sign of love and resurrection.

We will have setbacks in giving up this control, thinking we are responsible for the resurrection; but stark situations that remind us we are not in charge will bring us back to the truth over and over again. Believing that we have control of situations in our lives and in the world of others is fake news, a fantasy; but there is this sweet voice that whispers in ours ears, continually telling us we have such good ideas and need to be a strong person who always accomplishes our agenda.

If we recognize we are connected to something greater than ourselves—then we are acknowledging that there may be a better plan than our own … that a strong person may be one who pauses and perhaps prays and listens before she speaks … does the best she can … and then gives up the results to God, who may have a better view of the situation than she does. Amazing.

Joanna. Joannaseibert.com

Book Sale and Signing at St. Mark’s

               Between 8 and 10:30 services and after 10:30 service

                                 November 17th and 24th

   We will be studying  A Spiritual Rx for Advent,  Christmas and Epiphany during the forum at 9:15 am during Sundays in December                   

              A Spiritual Rx for Advent Christmas, and Epiphany

                  The Sequel to A Spiritual Rx for Lent and Easter

Both are $18. All Money from book sales goes to Camp Mitchell                 

Sanford:Traveling Inward

“How quickly the days clatter by as we age, like a train rushing to some unknown station. Sit back and look to the vision within: the unexplored rooms of your heart, the open ground of your creativity, the hidden dimensions of your faith. Reflect on the reason for your travel and turn time to the will of your spirit. Sit back and look to the vision within, for when you go deeper, you go slower.” —Steven Charleston, Daily Facebook email.

John Sanford’s book, The Kingdom Within: The Inner Meaning of Jesus’ Sayings (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1970), is often one of the first helps recommended to people seeking to begin an inner journey. As his title suggests, Sanford affirms that the kingdom of God is really within us. Sanford, a Jungian analyst and Episcopal priest, was one of the first to apply depth psychology to Jesus’ sayings, discussing personality types and the feminine and masculine aspects of personality. He also addresses the struggle between the spiritual and the physical, becoming aware of our own egocentricities and projections, the struggle to become conscious, and our identification with our outer mask, as each of these experiences relates to the teachings of Jesus.

Sanford talks extensively about the problem of evil and sin in the world, reminding us that Jesus himself had little to say about the sins of the flesh. He was more concerned about the deadlier sins of the spirit brought on by a lack of awareness that causes us to “miss the mark.” Sanford reminds us that when we harbor in our hearts deep hatred toward our enemies, often we are projecting onto them what we really hate in ourselves. Realizing this takes some time dedicated to inner work, often asking a friend to assist in discernment; but the spiritual peace that can result is well worth it.

We will have many guides along the way, and will find ourselves called to practice discernment over and over again. The ultimate hope is at some time to see the Christ, the God within each other. A therapist can help us deal with the shadow side of ourselves. And our spiritual director keeps reminding us to look for the God, the Christ in our neighbor. This is more likely to occur when we learn to stay connected to the Christ within ourselves.

Joanna. Joannaseibert.com

Vespers

“It is bad enough to cope with illness or worry during the day, but at night the hurts just seem to intensify as the darkness grows. Which is why I am inviting everyone to join me in the practice of vespers. Monks and nuns from many traditions keep regular hours of prayer. They sanctify day and night. Vespers is an evening prayer, a time to make the darkening hours holy. As night comes, let us pray for all those who will need help getting through it. Let our vesper prayer be a light for them to see.” —Steven Charleston, Facebook page, September 25, 2018.

st. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Salem, Oregon

Serendipity can become a sign for us to listen more intently about what is going on in our lives. Recently I have received a call to keep Evening Prayer coming to me from many voices. They are beginning to get my attention. Morning Prayer has been more of a routine most of my life; but I usually do not remember to say evening prayers until I am almost asleep, and they may consist of a brief review of the day with a few sprinkles of gratitude thrown in for good measure.

The rector of our church, Danny Schieffler, has asked our new Daughters of the King chapter to be more present at Evening Prayer on weekdays at our church. Our Community of Hope Retreat leader, Brother Michael Gallagher, OSB, almost the next day reminded us to keep regular evening prayers as well as morning prayers. Our church hosted a program by Tom Elliott on the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius. The next day he talked about the evening examen, and how important it is in following this tradition. This morning I hear from Bishop Steven Charleston about nighttime prayers for all who need to be reminded of the presence and love of God when the world becomes dark.

My favorite evening prayers before bedtime are found in the Order of Compline (The Book of Common Prayer (BCP), p. 127). Many years ago, friends came to our house, or we went to theirs, to say this brief service together. How did we fit that time into our day? Were we less busy then, or more intentional?

My experience is that night can be more frightening for those who are alone and those in any kind of pain. The stimuli of the day, that keep us living our lives outwardly, lessen as darkness silently creeps in. At evening we feel the pull of the less familiar inward life. We do not know our paths on the inner life well, and can be frightened; but saying night prayers with others on a regular basis can remind us of Love’s continued presence with us and within us.

“Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’s sake.” —BCP, p. 134.

Joanna . joannaseibert.com