Listening for God in the Silence

Listening for God in the Silence

Be still and prepare to listen to God. Acknowledge your desire to listen. Release the cares of the day. Breathe deeply and welcome the Spirit into your inner being.
Slowly read through to this account of Elijah, God’s prophet, who was running from Jezebel and longing to hear God speak to him. From 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NRSV) of the Old Testament.

“An Angel said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’

Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind;

And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;

And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire;

And after the fire a sound of sheer silence.

When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here?’”

Spend some time in quiet reflection on how God communicates with you. In your own life, what circumstances, relationships or ideas seem like great winds or earthquakes… Which parts of your life make the most noise?… Which parts of your life consume you, as a fire consumes anything in its path?… Spend a few minutes reflecting on the ‘sound of sheer silence.’ What would that be like for you?… What would it be like to hear the ‘gentle whisper of God?’…

(Source: Seeking God Together: An Introduction to Group Spiritual Direction. By Alice Fryling.)

May 18, 2020

Dreams: The language of the Soul

Dreams: The language of the Soul

“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” Carl Jung

“The Paradox: Only you can determine the meaning of your dream, and at the same time, you are the most blind to the meaning. The Ego inhibits us in many cases from making the deeper connection.” Allen Proctor, The Haden Institute

No dream comes to tell us something that we already know. But as a helper to address our particular needs.
Triggers emerge in our dreams; where we are invited to work through them.
Dreams reflect the soul’s call to integrate all parts of ourselves and to find meaning through connection.
Every character, object and element of the dream is actually an aspect of the dreamer. Everything is a projection of ourselves and our emotions onto others.
When we see two examples of something, it may indicate that something new is emerging.
The Soul is fragile and fearful. She feels violated when she is interpreted and yet invites others to participate in the discovery of who she is. She longs for companionship. She is calling us to be integrated into all aspects of ourselves.

“When the soul wants to experience something, she throws out an image in front of her and then steps into it.” Meister Eckhart.

“You must give birth to your images…

They are the future waiting to be born.

Fear not the strangeness you feel.

The future must enter you long before it happens.

Just wait for the birth.

For the hour of the new clarity.” (Rainer Maria Rilke)

Sources

http://www.dreamscience.org/

http://www.dreamscience.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Scripted-Role-Play-6-magic-questions.pdf

https://www.hadeninstitute.com/

https://www.sdistore.org/product/sdi-webinar-dream-work-as-soul-work-jung-spiritual-companionship-4-parts-recorded/

May 5, 2020

Starting a Spiritual Direction Practice: The Time is Now

Starting a Spiritual Direction Practice: The Time is Now

Just three short years ago, after months of resistance and intentional discernment, by God’s grace, I launched a Spiritual Direction practice. Now, supporting a full-time practice of 40 directees, publishing nearly 60 blog posts, and over 5,000 unique visitors to the website, I share the resources that have been the most helpful in building my practice. May my sharing inspire and encourage you to consider stepping out in faith, to start something new, to bless a desperate world, for such a time as this. The time is now.

On the attached document you will find:

Book and Web Resources—Sage counsel tailored to the Spiritual Director and others in the field of encouragement.
Websites to list on—Searchable websites that help to connect seekers with you.
Business Startup Resources—Business planning and administrative resources to support you.

If after reviewing these resources you would like to meet on a live video call for personal consultation (at no cost during this season, for a limited time) to further discuss the possibility of your getting started in private practice, and/or the possibility of partnering together, please feel free to drop me an email at laura.lies@streamsgrace.com

Bless you dear one,

Laura Lies

Certificate in Spiritual Direction

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April 22, 2020

Easter Season Meditation

Easter Season Meditation

Risen One, open my mind and heart. Let me see and welcome your Presence.

“Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him (Luke 24:31).”
- What is God’s latest revelation to me? How has this impacted how I live now?
“Jesus said to them, ‘Come and have breakfast’ (John 21:12.)”
- What spiritual food am I being offered for the nourishment of my soul? What food do I accept? What food do I reject?
“He is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him (Matthew 28:7).”
- How do I need to adapt to better recognize the Holy One in my life?
“Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He has been raised (Matthew 28:5-6).”
- Fear filled the hearts of those who had loved Jesus. They found it difficult to believe the Easter message.
- What is keeping me from hearing the Truth that is being offered to me? What is my resistance revealing?
“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe (John 20:29).”
- How do I cooperate with what Mystery is inviting in me?
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ (John 20:16).”
- When have I too known intimacy with the Holy One?
- Who does God say that I am to Him?
“Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us? (Luke 24:13)”
- Where in my past have I experienced amazing relief after intense struggle?
“Why do you look for the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5)”
- Where in my past am I looking for life? What am I being invited to release?
“So, they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples (Matthew 28:8).”
- How do I share the powerful presence of God in my midst? How do I witness what I believe?
“Jesus Himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you’ (Luke 24:36).”
- How will I greet myself and my world with peace this Easter season?

(Source: Out of the Ordinary: Prayers, Poems, and Reflections for Every Season. By Joyce Rupp.)

April 7, 2020

Calming the Storms Within

Calming the Storms Within

“So, they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He brought them out of their distress.

The storm sank to a murmur, and the waves of the sea were stilled.

They were glad then that all was calm, as He guided them to the harbor they desired.

Let them thank the Lord for His enduring love.” (Psalm 107:28-31)

Biblical Note: This passage describes the power of God even as passages in the New Testament refer to Jesus’ ability to deliver people out of storms, literal and figurative (see Matthew 8:23-17, Mark 4:36-41, John 6:16-21). Since the Hebrews were people of the land, this nautical theme of this Psalm is a novelty.

For your Meditation: This meditation may be especially valuable in a period of stormy times. Harbor can represent a “safe place” to which you can return.

Meditation: (To be read very slowly with eyes closed.) Take several, slow deep breaths and get in touch with the depths within…Now visualize yourself in a boat…Notice the size and type of boat…Discover who is with you…Become aware how you feel being there…Now you notice the water is very troubled, a storm is surrounding you…Stay in touch with your feelings in this storm…When you are ready, become aware of the calming presence in your midst…You might call out to that presence to calm the storm, or you may simply become aware that the presence is calming the storm…Let yourself experience that movement from storm to calm and reflect on how you feel and what is occurring…Now move into the harbor and stay alert to your feelings and thoughts as your boat nudges into its harbor…Before you disembark, look around on the boat for a symbol or image which represents this deep calm for you, and take that symbol with you as you get off the boat…Become aware of your thankfulness for the loving presence enabling the calm…When you feel ready, open your eyes.

Debriefing: Write or draw whatever image emerged that might represent calm for you. And about how the storm in your life is affected by this deep sense of calm. Notice any changes in attitude toward the storm in your life. If you were unable to allow the calmness to occur for you, simply acknowledge that this is where you are right now. Feel free to do this meditation again and again. And feel free to write out the stormy feelings too.