25.5.2 Spiritual Practices

Dear Friends of Sacred Ground,

A beautiful theme is emerging at Sacred Ground for the month of May: the invitation to spiritual practice. We have the opportunity to explore and experience spiritual practices that will open our hearts with Monique Keffer on Saturday May 10 and spiritual practice in a time of crisis with Bill McDonough on Tuesday May 20.

Engaging in spiritual practice is a way of showing up for the world as it is and orienting our hearts to the sacred invitations that hide within the moments of our days. Describing the invitation to spiritual practice, Rabbi Yael Levy writes in her book Directing the Heart: "Listen, pause, pay attention and we will cultivate the capacity to respond to life's experiences with wisdom and compassion."

We don't need spiritual practices to garner God's favor or to prove that we are good. Rather, practices help us to cultivate hearts that are open and receptive. They can remind us of who we are and who God is. They can give us something to return to when we find ourselves feeling lost or disoriented. They train us how to be in the world.

"After a while, when we are well practiced, . . . openness of heart becomes like a song without words."  — Pir Elias

May your hearts find grace and beauty and courage in the days ahead.

In hope and with gratitude,

Jessica Sanborn (she/her)

Program Coordinator