The Wheel Keeps Turning

Greetings Pilgrims! 

In our 5 days in West Virginia for the service trip there was, ahem, a lot of talking. (....At times perhaps too much?) Talking between our youth, youth from other churches, talking between adult group leaders, any permutation you can imagine. When my co-leader Tyler and I were invited join a few early rising adult leaders for a quiet moment over coffee before the wake up all call, we gratefully accepted. For a precious half hour before the youth were blasted into consciousness by LOUD and CHEERY pop songs (which they loved they will tell you), we sat together and shared some fellowship. 

One morning in particular we found ourselves comparing experiences we’d had with different Christian denominations and non-Christian faith traditions. One leader shared about frustration he’d had in a previous ASP week with another leader who led a devotion portraying Christianity as the only way to God and salvation. Wouldn’t it be strange we mused, for some of us to miraculously be born in the right time and place to be saved and for all other humans/faiths/culture to just be out of luck? Christianity is a religion rich in tradition, rituals, and stories. Alongside this we recognized parallel and at times deeper knowledge in other religions that we admired. Buddhism in particular had mapped for several of us, ways of practicing thinking and being present in our own bodies in the moment that helped us to act with more love and wisdom.

It was in part this conversation, alongside another one on drive home with the youth about spirituality, finding community, and exploring faith that I found myself making a connection between praying on behalf of others and the practice of loving kindness meditation. I find Christian contemplative practice particularly enticing because of how much loving kindness meditation has resonated. Some you may remember the children’s moment Nancy Chew did ages ago using this loving-kindness script.

“Imagine a dearly loved person sitting opposite you and that a white light connects you heart to heart. Connect with the feelings of affection and warmth you have for them. Slowly focus on the phrase,

‘May I be well, happy, and peaceful,’ — feeling the warmth of loving-kindness filling your body.

‘May you be well, happy, and peaceful.’---send these feelings to your friend, breathing naturally… 

‘May I be well, happy, and peaceful.’--- visualize a light connecting you, heart to heart.

‘May you be well, happy, and peaceful.’---bath in this warmth and light repeating the phrases.

See yourself and your friend radiating the light of loving-kindness from the smallest insect to the largest animal … out into infinity.

‘May we be well, happy, and peaceful. 

‘May all beings be well, happy, and peaceful.’

Psalm 20 to me has a similar flavor to this meditation, particularly the first 5 verses. What stands out to you when seeing these two side by side? How are they similar or different? How are you oriented as the person praying or meditating? What feels important to you about either of them?

The Lord answer you in the day of trouble! The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

May God send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion.

May God remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices.    Selah

May God grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill all your plans.

May we shout for joy over your victory and in the name of our God set up our banners.

May the Lord fulfill all your petitions.

-love and prayers,

Felix