Posted by rayww on July 3, 2008, at 15:56:01
In reply to Re: Spiritual Practice » rayww, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on June 25, 2008, at 9:37:41
> Interesting Ray, because my Catholic meditations, doing my daily rosary and my prayer books, are what have pretty much helped "ground" me. I lost my wife and child a decade or so ago, and this was before I converted to Christianity. These things are not ones I use for self-glory or self-righteousness, but to ask God and Jesus to keep me centered with humility, humbleness, empathy, compassion, awareness of suffering, and forgiveness for my sins. This is on a daily basis, not the usual Sunday "bless-me" club types. As I enter middle-age, and am seeing the ones I love deeply pass on, I really find (and sometimes it's not easy..just look up Psalm 44) some comfort in the arms of God. Geezzz...see I am starting to cry as I talk about this. I believe it is God who has given me the power to cry, and I am not ashamed of it. That is "grace" at work, grace being the underlying theme of the Scriptures. Far too many people have bypassed this last sentence.
>
> Anyhow...just wanted to share. I think we have had somewhat similar experiences.
>
> Peace,
> Jay
>
><<<You have reminded me that prayer is a form of meditation, and that we should meditate when we pray, not just say words while we think of something else, or repeat vain repetitions, poetry, or otherwise. I have a difficult time meditating since my stroke, so words have to do most days. Sometimes when I kneel to pray there are no words, and I have to hope He gets my message. The connections in our brain are all there for a purpose, and when we alter them through drugs, or in my case a stroke, things are different. Sometimes it takes medication to straighten them out. Have you ever noticed your relationship with God being linked to your own brain connections? I don't mean to suggest we can't have relationship with God if we don't feel it. God would not be that fickle. He is even closer and more protective, even though the brain is skewed.
I'm sorry for your loss, but certainly identify with your process.
rayww
poster:rayww
thread:833239
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20080404/msgs/837868.html