Centering Down is an adult spiritual sharing group that takes place in the meetinghouse library every Sunday at 10 AM, before worship. All are welcome to join at any time.
Each week's topic is included in the bulletin. It typically includes a few passages from the minister's message, as well as some queries—questions to stimulate self-examination and thought. We might spend several minutes in silent reflection before anyone speaks. Individuals are encouraged to speak from their own experiences and to listen deeply to one another, allowing a little time for reflection between speakers. In this way, we can come to know one another better and share our unique portion of Light with one another.
The following are recent centering down passages:
Two of the most fundamental questions we ask ourselves at some point, often along our spiritual journey, are:
– Am I lovable?
– Where can—or do—I belong?
We wonder if we are lovable after loss, grief, heartbreak, as we age, parent, partner and de- partner, figure out who we are, question our worth, feel defeated, depressed, angry or disappointed.
We question if and where we may belong when we feel alone, isolated, in pain, other, marginalized, when shunned, cut off, judged or don’t measure up.
Often we ask one or both questions when we feel separated from Spirit/God.
We live in a culture that’s primed to sell us substitutes for love and belonging.
I am able to hold these questions—and respond affirmatively—when three things are present in my life:
– First, an acknowledgement of Spirit/God, developed with a spiritual practice;
– Second, a place to belong – a beloved community where we worship regularly with one another, with Spirit/God at the center.
– And third, a small group or spiritual friend with whom we can share, listen, accompany and be accompanied on this journey.
The questions of lovability and belonging are answered by God’s radical invitation –– and by our subsequent radical welcoming of others into Beloved Community.
Queries
How have I experienced God’s radical invitation?
When have I felt I belonged?
How am I able to radically welcome others into Beloved Community?
– Am I lovable?
– Where can—or do—I belong?
We wonder if we are lovable after loss, grief, heartbreak, as we age, parent, partner and de- partner, figure out who we are, question our worth, feel defeated, depressed, angry or disappointed.
We question if and where we may belong when we feel alone, isolated, in pain, other, marginalized, when shunned, cut off, judged or don’t measure up.
Often we ask one or both questions when we feel separated from Spirit/God.
We live in a culture that’s primed to sell us substitutes for love and belonging.
I am able to hold these questions—and respond affirmatively—when three things are present in my life:
– First, an acknowledgement of Spirit/God, developed with a spiritual practice;
– Second, a place to belong – a beloved community where we worship regularly with one another, with Spirit/God at the center.
– And third, a small group or spiritual friend with whom we can share, listen, accompany and be accompanied on this journey.
The questions of lovability and belonging are answered by God’s radical invitation –– and by our subsequent radical welcoming of others into Beloved Community.
Queries
How have I experienced God’s radical invitation?
When have I felt I belonged?
How am I able to radically welcome others into Beloved Community?
The Kingdom of God is like this. A man scatters seed on the ground. He goes to sleep and wakes up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, and he knows not how.”This is my favorite parable, but it's so brief that it's easy to miss. A man plants seed, and then he goes home and lives his life. He sleeps. He wakes. He eats his meals and tends his other business. And the seed, without any help from him, without his understanding or his permission, does what seeds do.
- Mark 4:26-27
Notice what the farmer is not. He is not a scientist. Mark makes a point of saying, he "knows not how" it happens. He’s also not a manager of outcomes, walking the rows every evening to inspect his investment. All he does is plant. And then he does one of the hardest things any of us are ever called to do: he lets go.
We live in a culture, and carry within us a nature, that resists this letting go. We want to be the ones who make things grow. When something we plant flourishes, some part of us wants to say, "I did that." There is an appealing, but false, satisfaction that comes from believing we are the cause of the good that follows us. And there is a quiet, unnecessary despair when we try to do the right thing, and nothing seems to come of it — when our kindness goes unnoticed, our efforts unappreciated, our generosity wasted. Both this pride and this despair come from the same mistaken belief: that the harvest is ours to produce. The farmer in this parable is spared from all that. His job is simple. Just plant seeds.
What helps you find the strength to keep planting when you can't see the harvest?