In order to be at its most effective, a congregation needs to address four areas of religious practice:  the cushion, the living room, the sanctuary and the street.

The cushion refers to a meditation cushion and represents personal spiritual practices.  It isn't always a cushion, of course.  Sometimes it is a chair, bench or rug where one prays, or a yoga mat.  But a personal spiritual discipline is indispensable for integrating and reflecting on one's life experiences and growing into a whole human being.  The practices will vary, but what is essential here is a regular time, which need not be many minutes, for quiet practice, whether it be a meditation or prayer technique, yoga or other body/spirit discipline, sacred reading and/or quiet, unstructured prayer and reflection.  The role of the church here is to encourage this discipline and to provide opportunities for people to learn and be supported in these practices.  Prayer, meditation or study groups that meet regularly are hugely helpful here, as is one on one or group spiritual direction.

The living room refers to small, face to face groups that meet regularly to provide a safe environment for spiritual friendship.  Here, perhaps in a structured environment, individuals can speak about the huge questions of life, such as:  what is my life purpose? What does it mean for me that I have to die? How can I love well? How am I to serve? What of good will I leave behind.  The huge theological themes of liberation, forgiveness, reconciliation, and compassion have a place here. The friends made in these groups provide support in times of trouble, illness or loss. 

The sanctuary refers to corporate worship.  This is where a spiritual community comes together to celebrate life through music, art and the spoken word.  It is where the symbols and stories of a people are told and interpreted and where people are challenged to act in their lives and in the world to express their best selves.  

And the street is where the all that is learned on the cushion, in the living room, and in the sanctuary is brought to bear to help heal the world in service and witness.

 

Several meditation teachers have been presenting a quick meditation practice to use any time of day.  It is particularly useful when you are feeling anxious,tense, or you are tempted to zone out.  It goes by the acronym STOP.

The S in STOP means stop what you are doing for a second.

The T means take a few deep breaths.

The O means observe your thoughts, body sensations and emotions.  Try just to observe and not judge or resist.

And P means proceed with what you were doing.

Meditation is not just the formal practice we do on the cushion.  I'll be presenting practices we can bring to bear in ordinary life from time to time.

Lord,
it is night.

The night is for stillness.
Let us be still in the presence of God.

It is night after a long day.
What has been done has been done;
what has not been done has not been done;
let it be.

The night is dark.
Let our fears of the darkness of the world and of our own lives
rest in you.

The night is quiet.
Let the quietness of your peace enfold us,
all dear to us,
and all who have no peace.

The night heralds the dawn.
Let us look expectantly to a new day,
new joys,
new possibilities.

In your name we pray.
Amen.