On Sunday 5/15, we discussed the chapter, "Week 7 - Risen" to conclude the book, Calmly Plotting the Resurrection:
EMPTINESS - Thea W. highlighted that there are many ways to gain insights about God from one's personal experience in creation. "In God's house there are many mansions. Many rooms. There is a place for you who failed to keep alive or to love perfectly your own child." (p. 80)
- Rose B., a school teacher, responded that it's necessary to hold emptiness in one's heart for insights to arise. "Everyday, I lead class in group breathing exercise to center people's attention for study."
- Charles begins stressful encounters with a brief prayer.
- Don added that a person needs to release the sense of failure to persist for success.
- Bob, "We all benefit from finding emptiness, a balanced space to be able to focus and integrate disparate elements that cause stress."
- Day M. spring-cleaned and child-proofed the entire house & yard to prep for my sister's and nieces' arrival to allow them to experience the wonder of discovery untainted by the stress of dangers.
BOOK QUOTE ABOUT STRINGS - "We remain string to short to be saved until God forgives us and then we connect. We become something strong and useful and capable of holding other stuff together. String separated is nothing; string connected is something."(p. 83)
"It's important to not just house-clean our hearts, but to butler (organize & bring harmony) them." (Day M.)
"I think our reactions to others should be nuanced to encompass what they intend. Therefore, we should spend some time to craft our response to be able to be effective, heart-to-heart, not just have a visceral polarizing gut response that can pull people apart." (Francis)
Regarding DAY 4, Pastor Dan mentioned that his ministerial role is to be a keeper of the story, the vessel.
Regarding DAY 5, Rose B. noted that it's really important to have depth of conversations.
Charles passed out our next read, Seeing Gray- in a World of Black and White (Thoughts on Religion, Morality, and Politics).
- For next Sunday, we'll read the Forward, Introduction, and Part 1 - Chapter One. (until page 8).
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Adult Spirituality Group notes, 5/8/11
(10 attendees)
5/8/11 Adult Spirituality Group:
(Rose) "Forgive others so you can move on in your life."
(Charles) "Donna E Schaper is talking about individual spirituality."
(Dan) "The best parts of us are willing to suffer personally for vast benefits for others and the common future."
(Day) "It helps me to relate with others in periods of conflict to remember my center is at my heart as a whole, not getting stuck with a viceral polarizing gut reaction."
(Bob) "What we consider evils change over time. They vary from context to context. Perspective of the universe has changed over time."
(Charles) "There is a greater power game going on in the U.S. than the power game going on in rape. Power is reversed, through control over weaker societies. This structure is accepted."
(Francis) "We need to nurture males to enjoy & experience our feminine qualities. Otherwise, males are set up to only express themselves through dominance."
For Sunday 5/15/11, please read chapter 7 through to the end of the book.
The next book we'll read:
Black and White (a series of short essays sent to Tom & Thea Ward, which cover many subjects)
(Rose) "Forgive others so you can move on in your life."
(Charles) "Donna E Schaper is talking about individual spirituality."
(Dan) "The best parts of us are willing to suffer personally for vast benefits for others and the common future."
(Day) "It helps me to relate with others in periods of conflict to remember my center is at my heart as a whole, not getting stuck with a viceral polarizing gut reaction."
(Bob) "What we consider evils change over time. They vary from context to context. Perspective of the universe has changed over time."
(Charles) "There is a greater power game going on in the U.S. than the power game going on in rape. Power is reversed, through control over weaker societies. This structure is accepted."
(Francis) "We need to nurture males to enjoy & experience our feminine qualities. Otherwise, males are set up to only express themselves through dominance."
For Sunday 5/15/11, please read chapter 7 through to the end of the book.
The next book we'll read:
Black and White (a series of short essays sent to Tom & Thea Ward, which cover many subjects)
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Adult Spirituality Group notes, 5/1/11
We discussed Week 6 - "Rising", pp. 66 - 79.
For Next Week, we'll discuss "Day 6" & "Day 7" of Week 6, pp. 76 - 79.
Members of the group expressed interest in us together reading fiction, possibly over the summer. Check out the description of The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poisonwood_Bible
- Barbara Kingsolver's books generate a lot of thought and discussion.
- It made Frances so grateful!
For Next Week, we'll discuss "Day 6" & "Day 7" of Week 6, pp. 76 - 79.
Members of the group expressed interest in us together reading fiction, possibly over the summer. Check out the description of The Poisonwood Bible, by Barbara Kingsolver -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Poisonwood_Bible
- Barbara Kingsolver's books generate a lot of thought and discussion.
- It made Frances so grateful!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Adult Spirituality Group notes, 4/17/11
(five attended)
Today, we related the symbolic action of Communion to the themes in book section, "Week 4 - Parabolic Thinking: The Land Beyond Lost, Next to Doubt":
What's the point of Communion as a communication with one's Soul and God?
1. Communion is like an hors d'euvres of Grace. One's body gets a taste of heaven's love fest.
2. One's intention adds greatly to the intensity of one's experience of Communion. It makes the experience more memorable for lasting value if one provides a proper context by being consciously receptive both to the direct experience and the symbolic nature of Communion.
3. We're always communicating with others! It's so important to be self-conscious to care for our bodies, minds, and life habits. We should consider ourselves as temples for God's works & inspiration on Earth, in Communion with divine Heart, instead of being myopic and self absorbed.
For next Sunday, please read "Week 5 - What Is Enough Resurrection?", p. 55 - 65.
What's the point of Communion as a communication with one's Soul and God?
1. Communion is like an hors d'euvres of Grace. One's body gets a taste of heaven's love fest.
2. One's intention adds greatly to the intensity of one's experience of Communion. It makes the experience more memorable for lasting value if one provides a proper context by being consciously receptive both to the direct experience and the symbolic nature of Communion.
3. We're always communicating with others! It's so important to be self-conscious to care for our bodies, minds, and life habits. We should consider ourselves as temples for God's works & inspiration on Earth, in Communion with divine Heart, instead of being myopic and self absorbed.
For next Sunday, please read "Week 5 - What Is Enough Resurrection?", p. 55 - 65.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Adult Spirituality Group notes, 4/3/11
The nine attendees had a rich discussion about the second section, "Week 2 - Are We There Yet?":
Frances B., "Participating with the poor is an experience that benefits all involved. Poorness is not just monetarily. Some are poor in time, but we may have wealth in health or personality."
Day M., "Poorness is always in oneself. It's partly reflective."
DISCIPLINE OF DAILY PRACTICE
Giselle (80 birthdays), "When I was a student in the Convent, I did daily Mass for 30 minutes, everyday. We had to do it. The habit of daily reflection helps instill discipline."
Bob S., "The structure of school discipline and military service helped me think of others and God."
DAILY PRAYER
Bill H., "Do we really believe God is here?"
Joan H., "Sometimes we don't let in God, the good stuff."
Thea W., "Three things I recite everyday:
1. What wonderful things are we going to do today?
2. How will I make You smile?
3. Fill me with Your holy spirit.
For next week, please -
• List the criteria you use to determine the quality of your life. (See p. 20)
• Read Week 3 (p. 29 - 42).
HELPING THE POOR
Day M., "Poorness is always in oneself. It's partly reflective."
DISCIPLINE OF DAILY PRACTICE
Giselle (80 birthdays), "When I was a student in the Convent, I did daily Mass for 30 minutes, everyday. We had to do it. The habit of daily reflection helps instill discipline."
Bob S., "The structure of school discipline and military service helped me think of others and God."
DAILY PRAYER
Bill H., "Do we really believe God is here?"
Joan H., "Sometimes we don't let in God, the good stuff."
Thea W., "Three things I recite everyday:
1. What wonderful things are we going to do today?
2. How will I make You smile?
3. Fill me with Your holy spirit.
For next week, please -
• List the criteria you use to determine the quality of your life. (See p. 20)
• Read Week 3 (p. 29 - 42).
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Adult Spirituality Group notes, 3/27/11
(There were seven participants.)
We all are in the process or learning how to live a life of forgiveness in Jesus' model:
FRANCIS S. shared a definition of forgiveness. "Kaphar" in Hebrew means to forgive (cleanse pardon, purge away).
BOB S. mentioned that to learn how to forgive is to overcome pride. To be forgiven is to overcome hopelessness and despair.
It is possible for a BCUCC Movie Night to watch a Catholic movie he was familiar with, As fast as my feet will carry me. (It's theme is that every man deserves to be forgiven.)
BILL K. brought out how the author interplays space and place in the Day Two chapter, A Prepared Place. For example, "Forgiveness knows just how much love there is... plenty."
DAN S. highlighted the importance of exercising forgiveness as a daily practice.
DAY M. discussed his intuition of subtle healing and balance with another person that had occurred this last week. The process seemed to be initiated by the other person, and included DAY proactively responding by making a mental choice to forgive and broaden his perspective, towards a final integrated whole Heart for both.
FOR NEXT SUNDAY, 4/3, please reflect when reading Week Two content, how the questions at end of chapters bring out the quoted bible verses.
FRANCIS S. shared a definition of forgiveness. "Kaphar" in Hebrew means to forgive (cleanse pardon, purge away).
BOB S. mentioned that to learn how to forgive is to overcome pride. To be forgiven is to overcome hopelessness and despair.
It is possible for a BCUCC Movie Night to watch a Catholic movie he was familiar with, As fast as my feet will carry me. (It's theme is that every man deserves to be forgiven.)
BILL K. brought out how the author interplays space and place in the Day Two chapter, A Prepared Place. For example, "Forgiveness knows just how much love there is... plenty."
DAN S. highlighted the importance of exercising forgiveness as a daily practice.
DAY M. discussed his intuition of subtle healing and balance with another person that had occurred this last week. The process seemed to be initiated by the other person, and included DAY proactively responding by making a mental choice to forgive and broaden his perspective, towards a final integrated whole Heart for both.
FOR NEXT SUNDAY, 4/3, please reflect when reading Week Two content, how the questions at end of chapters bring out the quoted bible verses.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Adult Spirituality Group notes, 3/20/11
(Today, there were eight attendees.)
We're starting to discuss a new book, Calmly Plotting the Resurrection - Lenten Reflections for Individuals and Groups. The back cover of the book has the following information:"Donna E Schaper [a senior minister] has written a thought-provoking book to assist readers in developing a way to move forward, a way to become persons of faith, and a way of becoming Christians by "calmly plotting the resurrection." Schaper provides a daily exercise for the seven weeks of the Lenten season, including a passage of Scripture, a brief reflection, and concluding questions for further consideration or group discussion. The themes for each week of reflections are:
- Week 1 - Where Are We Going?
- Week 2 - Are We There Yet?
- Week 3 - Are We Lost?
- Week 4 - Parabolic Thinking: The Land Beyond Lost, Next To Doubt
- Week 5 - What Is Enough Resurrection?
- Week 6 - Rising
- Week 7 - Risen
ISBN-13: 978-1-59752-020-1 "
• DAY MURTI suggested to note 2-3 paragraphs in each week's reading that were meaningful and inspiring to us. This will allow us to condense what really matters to us and help pull out material for group discussions.
• For example, DAN STERN highlighted a bible passage, "In my father's house, there are many dwelling places." Consider that physicists have mathematically discovered 23+ dimensions, as detailed in the Public Broadcasting System Nova series entitled, "The Emergent Universe." (Check out - www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/physics/elegant-universe-einstein.html )
For next week, read (to page 14) the rest of "Week 1 - Where are we going?"
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