This week: Lessons from the Wilderness Edited by: Sophy  
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Hi, I'm Sophy ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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Lessons from the Wilderness
Many Christians are currently observing the season of Lent. Lent is the 40 days before Easter (not including the six Sundays in between). Traditionally, some spiritual discipline is taken on as a way of strengthening one’s relationship with God or one’s responsiveness to the Sacred in their life. Lent refers to the fact that the days are lengthening during this season (in the northern hemisphere), and is a symbolic reminder of Jesus' 40 days in the wilderness after his baptism and before he began his ministry. Some give something up for Lent - others add something to their daily lives to give back to others.
Three of the gospels tell us that Jesus was led by the Spirit into “the wilderness” immediately after his baptism by John – just as he was stepping out to begin his ministry. In that wilderness, both his resilience and integrity were said to be tested as he was confronted with options that addressed normal human needs and desires: food, simplistic thinking, and power. It was to be a time of preparation for what was ahead of him, a time to “test his meddle,” so to speak, as well as an opportunity for rest, prayer, and renewal, as after the temptations, we are told he was tended to by angels.
Though Lent is a Christian tradition, there are spiritual benefits one can appreciate regardless of one's spiritual tradition. One lesson we can learn from Lent is preparation and self-care. We all need to take time to step away from the noise and calamity of everyday life. Maybe we don’t have the luxury of being able to do this for 40 days (I wish!) – but we could take 40 minutes each day, or even a few minutes several times a day. During these challenging times, we desperately need to find ways to unplug from and avoid those things that steer us off our path. There is so much news right now that is terrifying and very triggering – about politics, the Coronavirus, climate change, and the stock market. This kind of news, all day every day, instills and promotes fear – fear that can lead to increased separation, withdrawal from and blaming of others, hoarding, and worse.
So maybe we need to turn off the news once in a while, stay off Facebook or Twitter, and go for a walk instead. Or read a book, listen to music, write a poem - find a way take care of our soul. We need to take care of our bodies as well – eat healthier, exercise, get enough sleep, and avoid the temptations or excesses of food or drink that may feel good for a moment, but numb us to reality and ultimately do us more harm than good. We need to take time to replenish our bodies and spirits with whatever is lacking, and remove those things that cause us harm.
We also need to surround ourselves with supportive and like-minded people. As soon as Jesus left the desert, we are told he called the first of his disciples – friends who will go on this journey with him. Jesus did not undertake his journey alone – he had companions who stood by his side. The lesson here is that we need to do our best to have people in our lives that lift us up instead of dragging us down, who help encourage us to be our true, authentic selves. We need traveling companions to journey with us.
When I think of popular stories of life-altering journeys – of heroes who change or save the world, whether it be "Star Wars" or "Lord of the Rings," for example – Luke and Leah and Han – Rey and Finn and Po – Frodo and Sam and Merry and Pippin - they are tales of friends who band together to achieve their goals, companions who lift one another up, support and care for each other as they resist temptations along the way. So it is worth noting that the first thing Jesus does as he begins his journey is find some companions to travel with him.
How to you practice self-care? And do you have companions for your life journey? I invite you to write about one or both, and share them with me for next time.
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Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (February 5, 2020)" about "Spiritual Integrity" -
From Zeke 
It is so true that you should always do what is right even if it is not acknowledged by others.
Zeke
   
From Lone Cypress Workshop 
"Who are you, when no one is watching?"
I can't find who actually said this but it doesn't really matter. I love the quote. I am obsessed with ethics and integrity. It is the essence of philosophy and spirituality. I have tried to make it the defining concept of my life. I wish more people would try.
"Integrity is doing the right thing when no one else is watching.
And so it is. There are many quotes from C.S. Lewis that intrigue and haunt me.
I would love to share my essay on Integrity. Been working on it forever it seems. Unfortunately, I have no idea when I will finish it. A fundamental concept in my life and integral to basically everything that impacts our lives. More than politics, more than religion, even more than god or love. These things lose value and relevance without the presence of integrity.
Thanks for commenting, and for sharing your essay! 
From shepherd46
Jesus is my first thought when it comes to integrity. He lived and preached the "fruits of the spirit." He didn't just talk about them; he lived them. Another person, who of course, doesn't come near Jesus but practices the fruits of the spirit, is my husband. Every night, we read from the Bible, pray, and ask God for forgiveness and direction. The Holy Spirit guides us and that is such a blessing. Our country, regardless of the impeachment process, will, in my opinion, continue on because our country was founded on God, the Bible and the fruits of the spirit.
Thank you for a wonderful and inspiring article!
Morningstar
Thank YOU for your lovely comment!
From Melisscious
Just being honest, I think it's wonderful that so many people are helped by Brene Brown but I personally feel like she's "enlightenment for dummies." The fast-food version of spiritual growth. You can't possibly sell the same cure to everyone, people ail from too many different places. Plus, there's a real bullying element to insisting or insinuating that everyone and thing needs to be kind. Those are just thoughts from the other side of this equation.
As I said, power to the people that are helped by her. I just hear a lot of talking about perspectives that are a luxury to lose.
Thanks for your honest comment - glad you felt free to share. That said - I only used one very short Brené Brown quote at the beginning of my article, hope you found the rest of it helpful. 
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! Sophy |
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Spiritual: March 04, 2020 Issue [#10051]
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