Contemplative Practice
“That was calming. It was kind of nice.”
“Sunday Songs and Meditations are quieter than I’m used to.”
Because we prioritize the contemplative side of spirituality, many of our gatherings are quieter than you might expect.
Meditation and other soul-quieting practices have always been part of Christian practice. However, 500 years ago, Western society went through the Renaissance and we began to ignore these practices. Science was just beginning its rise, and to keep stride, our religion became heavily weighted toward knowledge and learning. Contemplative practices (like meditation) approach things differently. They are rooted in the quiet places where we discern the Inner Divine. For a long time, Western religion has neglected the one in favor of the other.
But now we are living in a new worldview. Now, our understanding of the universe has stopped being a precise, absolute place, and has become un-absolute, relative, and un-certain. Our new worldview is inviting us to dust off those spiritual practices rooted in mystery, uncertainty, and inner quiet.
We have found life and growth as we have reembraced our ancient contemplative tradition. We hope you will too.
Here are some ways you can get involved with contemplative practice:
sunday songs and meditations
Most Sundays, we have a guided meditation before our lesson. We do these meditations together, to encourage one another to make them part of our daily contemplative practice.
Contemplative Groups
Twice a year, we form contemplative groups for six weeks. We learn and practice four kinds of meditation together, mindfulness meditation, the welcome prayer, examen of consciousness, and lovingkindness meditation. People in these groups often continue to support one another in their practice long after the groups end.
March 1, 2020 – Contemplative Group Formation
Groups will meet once a week, at various times, March-April, depending on participants’ schedules.
Why We Meditate
How We Meditate
Sunday Morning Meditation Audio
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own:
Prayers of Silence (Mindfulness)
Prayers of Silence (Mindfulness)
Prayers of Silence (Mindfulness)
Examen of Consciousness
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Examen of Consciousness
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Meditation
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Examen of Consciousness
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Examen of Consciousness
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
The Welcoming Prayer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Centering Prayer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
The Welcoming Prayer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
The Welcoming Prayer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Centering Prayer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Centering Prayer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Centering Prayer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
The Welcoming Prayer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
The Welcoming Prayer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Loving Kindness/Compassionate Observer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Loving Kindness/Compassionate Observer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Loving Kindness/Compassionate Observer
Each Sunday we practice one of the ancient contemplative practices together. We have made audio from these Sunday meditations available so you can practice on your own.
Jennifer Murray
We are fortunate Jennifer Murray is part of our community. Her studies focused on contemplative spiritual practice. She helps organize Sunday Songs and Meditations, and facilitates our contemplative groups.