ALL WELCOME to Join Kathryn Pile Tuesdays 5pm
Dear Meditators 19/04/22
This week is the last of five reflections on hope, Mystical Hope, from the spiritual writer, Episcopal priest, Cynthia Bourgeault from her book by that name. Today’s session is from the section on Hope and the Future.
The aim:
- To join with God’s Presence through silent meditation, known as contemplative prayer
- To deepen that intention through breath, image, word and to practice ways to allow ourselves to become one with the source of Hope
- To experience through spiritual growth, the tremendous courage it takes to move forward (even so slowly) in Hope.
First a short introduction… Cynthia invites us to find our way to the hope that does not disappoint or fail; a different kind of hope that has its source not in events and outcomes but in the mercy of God. Mystical Hope shows how to recognize this hope in our lives, where it comes from, how to deepen it, and how to carry it into the world as a source of strength and renewal.
Let’s begin… reflections on the theme of Hope and the Future…
- Cynthia says …ultimately, hope is divine energy and intelligence moving towards the accomplishment of its purposes: it makes use of us rather than we of it, when, we shift our perspective from hope–as-object to hope-as-subject; when, inside ourselves is where we need to be to discover the real well-spring of hope.
- The body of Christ is not just a timeless, eternal reality but moves through time in order to bring all things to fulfilment through love…Hope’s home is at the innermost point in us and all things, it is a quality of aliveness. It does not come at the end, but rather lies… at the beginning, as a pulse of truth, a live holiness, that sends us forth, regardless of the physical circumstances of our lives. It is entered always and only through willing…surrender.
Relax now in body and mind, slow your breathing, and enter your meditation, centering your prayer, your will and intention on allowing yourself to move towards hope’s home at the innermost point of yourself, through willing surrender into this live holiness.
Love and every blessing, Kathryn
Bourgeault, Cynthia, Mystical Hope – Trusting in the Mercy of God: Cowley Publication, Maryland USA, 2001.
Remember to watch an introduction to Centering Prayer Meditation. You can see it here
Let me know how you are finding this time – If you have any suggestions or requests. I always like to hear from you.
Kathryn