Fully Awake and Truly Alive

Jane E. Vennard

Description

Fulfill the reality that the glory of God is the human fully alive.

"Reverend Vennard is fearlessly awake to the wild dance of life. Rather than sleeping through life, she awakens to it. Rather than escaping from reality, she embraces it. Rather than distracting herself with a life to come, she dares to live the life that is. And she wants you to do all this as well. Read this book. Live this book. Wake up."

—from the Foreword

In a culture enthralled with technology, striving and speed, people of many faith traditions and no faith tradition long to slow down, pay attention and wake up to the present moment. They want help in realizing their hope that they can become more truly alive.

This engaging and highly readable book offers you guidance for the journey. Sharing stories from her personal life as a spiritual seeker and from her professional career as a retreat leader, spiritual director and teacher, Reverend Jane Vennard illustrates the joys and frustrations of spiritual practice, offers insights from various religious traditions, and provides step-by-step exercises and meditations to practice:

Caring for the body • Rest • Silence Solitude • Letting go
Community • Hospitality • Service • Living gratefully

Foreword by Rami Shapiro xiii
Introduction xv
Expanding Our Understanding of Prayer and Spiritual Practice xvi
Defining Terms xvi
Becoming Fully Alive xviii
Examining Our Practices xix
On Cushion, Off Cushion xx
A Variety of Practices xxi

1. The Practice of Caring for Your Body Finding New Images, Deep Wisdom, and Blessings 1
Body Image: Experiencing Your Body as a Gift 3
Befriending Your Body 5
Embodied Wisdom 7
Healing the Divide 10
How Are You Called to Practice? 11
Guidelines for More Extended Practice 13
Writing a Letter to Your Body 13
Body Blessing 14

2. The Practice of Rest Restoring Your Energy, Your Creativity, and Your Spirit 15
Cultural Perceptions of Resting 16
Restful Activities 19
Biblical Call to Rest 21
Four Steps of the Creative Process 23
Sabbath Rest 24
How Are You Called to Practice? 26
Guidelines for More Extended Practice 27
Grateful Breathing 27
Resting While You Walk 28

3. The Practice of Silence Finding Spaciousness, Stillness, and Inner Peace 29
Discovering Well-Being in Quiet Places 30
Listening to Ourselves and Beyond Ourselves 31
Honoring Effortless Silence 34
Practicing Silence in a Supportive Community 35
Exploring the Shadow Side of Silence 36
Be Still and Know That I Am God 39
How Are You Called to Practice? 41
Guidelines for More Extended Practice 43
A Variety of Meditation and Contemplative
Prayer Practices 43
Breath Counting 43
Centering Prayer 44
True Meditation 45

4. The Practice of Solitude Making Friends with Yourself 47
Facing the Dragon of Loneliness 50
Early Experiences of Being Alone: Avoided or Encouraged? 52
The Journey Is the Destination: Walking Nowhere Alone 55
The Capacity to Be Alone: Self-Discovery, Creativity, and Intimacy 57
Silence and Solitude Together: A Furnace of Transformation 60
How Are You Called to Practice? 62
Guidelines for More Extended Practice 63
Exploring Your Experiences of Loneliness 63
Walking Meditation: Slowly Going Nowhere 64

5. The Practice of Letting Go Releasing Your Attachments, Your Past, and Your Future 67
Letting Go of Material Things 68
Fasting: Making Space for the Sacred 70
Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurts and Leaving the Past Behind 72
Nonattachment: Letting Go of the Outcome 75
Accepting the Life That Awaits Us 78
How Are You Called to Practice? 81
Guidelines for More Extended Practice 82
The Courage to Forgive 82
Dancing Nonattachment 83

6. The Practice of Community Discovering Support, Encouragement, and Interdependence 85
The Rhythm of Contemplative, Communal, and Missional Spiritual Practices 87
Singing Together We Become the Music 89
Dancing, Moving, and Playing Together 91
Making Music Together:
Surrendering to the Whole 93
Spiritual Direction 96
How Are You Called to Practice? 98
Guidelines for More Extended Practice 100
My Communal Spiritual Practice: Examining
Its History and Discovering Its Future 100
Playful Body Sculpting and Creative Naming 101

7. The Practice of Hospitality Inviting, Welcoming, and Nurturing the Stranger 103
The Three Movements of Hospitality 104
Hospitality: A Two-Way Street 107
Practicing Communal Hospitality:
Blessings and Challenges 109
Welcoming the Stranger Within 112
Cultivating the Hospitable Heart 114
How Are You Called to Practice? 115
Guidelines for More Extended Practice 116
Welcoming the Stranger Within 116
The Welcoming Prayer 118

8. The Practice of Service Cultivating Generosity, Kindness, and Joy 121
Hidden Service: The Power of Practices That No One Notices 125
The Practice of Discernment: Deciding Who, Where, and How to Serve 131
Bearing Witness: No Need to Fix Anything 134
Many Hands Make Light Work: Practicing Service in Community 135
Responding to the Needs of Mother Earth 138
How Are You Called to Practice? 138
Guidelines for More Extended Practice 140
Letting the Mud Settle and Becoming Still 140
Listening with an Open Heart—Including Silence in the Conversation 142

9. The Fruits of Practice Living Gratefully, Humbly, and Compassionately 145
The Experience of Living Gratefully 149
Surprise Is the Wisdom of a Grateful Heart 151
Humility—the Forgotten Virtue 152
The Gracious Gift of Humility 154
Cultivating Humble Hearts 155
Discovering the Depth of Your Compassion 157
The Courage to See, the Courage to Feel,
and the Courage to Act 159
How Are You Called to Practice? 162
Guidelines for More Extended Practice 163
Keeping a Gratitude Journal 163
Discovering Your Image of Humility 164
Knowledge of the Stranger Deepens Compassion 165

Acknowledgments 167
Notes 169
Suggestions for Further Reading 175
Index of Practices 179

Sujets

• Santé et bien-être
• Développement personnel
• Philosophie et théologie
• Spirituality
• Religion

Informations

• Publié par: Turner Publishing Company
• Date de parution: 01 février 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781594735103
• Langue: English

Extrait

Praise for Fully Awake and Truly Alive and Rev. Jane Vennard s Work
A wise, helpful and nourishing book, filled with personal stories and practical guidance.
- Marcus J. Borg , author, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time
Jane Vennard presents a spiritual path for practical feet, a guide for finding the seeds of prayer, reflection and nourishment in a delightfully spacious way. [This is] is a blessing for all of us who, as our lives go faster, yearn for divine healing and companionship in the still, small voices of the soul.
- Wayne Muller , author, Sabbath: Restoring the Sacred Rhythm of Rest
Jane Vennard has given us guidance that is both simple and profound, practical yet very mature, personal yet social. Her wisdom about prayer is what we need.
- Richard Rohr , O.F.M Center for Action and Contemplation
One of the most extraordinarily helpful books I have ever read on the relationship of our deep bodily-emotional selves to our spiritual unfolding. Combines practicality with personal sharing, wit, poignancy and deep spiritual insightful wisdom.
- Flora Wuellner , author, Prayer and Our Bodies
Ilumines a broad spectrum of spiritual practices, making them available and accessible to all who seek to enrich their lives. [Invites us] on a journey inward toward the home that awaits us within and on a journey outward in meaningful connection to those around us.
- Victor Kazanjian , dean of Intercultural Education & Religious and Spiritual Life, Wellesley College
We wake up through Jane Vennard s words to recognize the innate spiritual nature of living immediately and directly into our experience of our bodies, into silence and solitude, into community, hospitality and service.... Our response is gratitude for Jane Vennard s masterful teaching.
- Dwight H. Judy, PhD , professor emeritus of spiritual formation, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary; author, A Quiet Pentecost: Inviting the Spirit into Congregational Life
Vennard s concise introductions to spiritual practices and forms of prayer will enrich the prayer lives of both individuals and groups. This book will help readers become open and available to the grace and generosity of the Holy Spirit.
- Joseph D. Driskell , Pacific School of Religion
The work of a master teacher, and like all master teachers, Jane Vennard is clearly in love with her subject. She is in love with the honest, spirit-stretching questions people have about prayer. She is in love with the stunning multitude of ways people can engage in spiritual practice. Drawing deeply from her personal experienced, she leads her readers into the joy-and humility-of helping others discover the life-filling richness of prayer.
- Steve Doughty , pastor; author, To Walk in Integrity
On a personal level, I was unexpectedly rewarded to have my own spiritual life challenged and enriched by my encounter with Jane Vennard s mind, heart and spirit in this volume.
- Howard Clinebell, PhD , author, Anchoring Your Well-Being

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For Margaret Johnson and in memory of Sister Louise Hageman, OP

We entreat you, make us truly alive.
Fourth-century prayer of Serapion of Thmuis

CONTENTS
FOREWORD BY RAMI SHAPIRO
INTRODUCTION
Expanding Our Understanding of Prayer and Spiritual Practice
Defining Terms
Becoming Fully Alive
Examining Our Practices
On Cushion, Off Cushion
A Variety of Practices
1. THE PRACTICE OF CARING FOR YOUR BODY
Finding New Images, Deep Wisdom, and Blessings
Body Image: Experiencing Your Body as a Gift
Befriending Your Body
Embodied Wisdom
Healing the Divide
How Are You Called to Practice?
Guidelines for More Extended Practice
Writing a Letter to Your Body
Body Blessing
2. THE PRACTICE OF REST
Restoring Your Energy, Your Creativity, and Your Spirit
Cultural Perceptions of Resting
Restful Activities
Biblical Call to Rest
Four Steps of the Creative Process
Sabbath Rest
How Are You Called to Practice?
Guidelines for More Extended Practice
Grateful Breathing
Resting While You Walk
3. THE PRACTICE OF SILENCE
Finding Spaciousness, Stillness, and Inner Peace
Discovering Well-Being in Quiet Places
Listening to Ourselves and Beyond Ourselves
Honoring Effortless Silence
Practicing Silence in a Supportive Community
Exploring the Shadow Side of Silence
Be Still and Know That I Am God
How Are You Called to Practice?
Guidelines for More Extended Practice
A Variety of Meditation and Contemplative Prayer Practices
Breath Counting
Centering Prayer
True Meditation
4. THE PRACTICE OF SOLITUDE
Making Friends with Yourself
Facing the Dragon of Loneliness
Early Experiences of Being Alone: Avoided or Encouraged?
The Journey Is the Destination: Walking Nowhere Alone
The Capacity to Be Alone: Self-Discovery, Creativity, and Intimacy
Silence and Solitude Together: A Furnace of Transformation
How Are You Called to Practice?
Guidelines for More Extended Practice
Exploring Your Experiences of Loneliness
Walking Meditation: Slowly Going Nowhere
5. THE PRACTICE OF LETTING GO
Releasing Your Attachments, Your Past, and Your Future
Letting Go of Material Things
Fasting: Making Space for the Sacred
Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurts and Leaving the Past Behind
Nonattachment: Letting Go of the Outcome
Accepting the Life That Awaits Us
How Are You Called to Practice?
Guidelines for More Extended Practice
The Courage to Forgive
Dancing Nonattachment
6. THE PRACTICE OF COMMUNITY
Discovering Support, Encouragement, and Interdependence
The Rhythm of Contemplative, Communal, and Missional Spiritual Practices
Singing Together We Become the Music
Dancing, Moving, and Playing Together
Making Music Together: Surrendering to the Whole
Spiritual Direction
How Are You Called to Practice?
Guidelines for More Extended Practice
My Communal Spiritual Practice: Examining Its History and Discovering Its Future
Playful Body Sculpting and Creative Naming
7. THE PRACTICE OF HOSPITALITY
Inviting, Welcoming, and Nurturing the Stranger
The Three Movements of Hospitality
Hospitality: A Two-Way Street
Practicing Communal Hospitality: Blessings and Challenges
Welcoming the Stranger Within
Cultivating the Hospitable Heart
How Are You Called to Practice?
Guidelines for More Extended Practice
Welcoming the Stranger Within
The Welcoming Prayer
8. THE PRACTICE OF SERVICE
Cultivating Generosity, Kindness, and Joy
Hidden Service: The Power of Practices That No One Notices
The Practice of Discernment: Deciding Who, Where, and How to Serve
Bearing Witness: No Need to Fix Anything
Many Hands Make Light Work: Practicing Service in Community
Responding to the Needs of Mother Earth
How Are You Called to Practice?
Guidelines for More Extended Practice
Letting the Mud Settle and Becoming Still
Listening with an Open Heart-Including Silence in the Conversation
9. THE FRUITS OF PRACTICE
Living Gratefully, Humbly, and Compassionately
The Experience of Living Gratefully
Surprise Is the Wisdom of a Grateful Heart
Humility-the Forgotten Virtue
The Gracious Gift of Humility
Cultivating Humble Hearts
Discovering the Depth of Your Compassion
The Courage to See, the Courage to Feel, and the Courage to Act
How Are You Called to Practice?
Guidelines for More Extended Practice
Keeping a Gratitude Journal
Discovering Your Image of Humility
Knowledge of the Stranger Deepens Compassion
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
NOTES
SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING
INDEX OF PRACTICES
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
COPYRIGHT
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FOREWORD
What I m about to say may trouble you. In fact, I hope it does.
Here you are reading the foreword to Fully Awake and Truly Alive and you are most likely half asleep; maybe even more than half. You ve probably grown so accustomed to sleep living (a far more common experience than sleepwalking) that you mistake your current state for wakefulness. Well, it isn t. You are asleep, and so is almost everyone you know. And on the off chance you do know someone who is awake, she probably seems so strange to you that you avoid her as best you can.
Of course being asleep doesn t mean you aren t functioning. You get up and go about meeting the obligations of your day. You may eat well, exercise regularly, and cultivate loving relationships. You may, if asked, confidently (if a bit humbly) admit to being happy and not a little successful. It isn t that you re lying, it s that being asleep you have no idea what kind of happiness awaits you when you wake up. So you