Contemplating Advent: Transform Your Christmas Season Through Spiritual Practice by Jeff Campbell

Author:Jeff Campbell [Campbell, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-25T23:00:00+00:00

The Practice

Release your expectations and obligations for this time; as best as you can, commit to being present to this particular moment.

Take three deep breaths.

Read the passage once for a general understanding.

Identify the sort-of setting that this passage occurs in. For example, is it a desert? A crowded area? A lakeside? Perhaps you can draw on your own experiences of such a place. Bring it’s picture into your mind’s eye. Consider the sorts of sounds that happen in that sort of area. Try and hear them.

Close your eyes and imagine the sights and sounds of this sort-of environment. Then read through again, putting these sight and sound details in the narrative.

When you are ready, read the passage again with this picture in your imagination. Be on the lookout for places that there might be specific sounds, sights, and smells. Consider the physical elements of the environment that can be felt: is it likely to be cool or hot? Damp or dry? Would the characters feel the rocking motion of being on a boat? Blisters from walking? Sore legs from standing? A gentle swaying from riding horseback? If it feels fruitful, read the passage a third time, pausing to really see, hear, smell, and feel these.

Recreate it one more time, from your imagination. Replay the whole thing. Be open to beginning the “scene” before the passage begins. Consider continuing the “scene” after the passage ends.

Spend a moment reflecting on any new understanding or appreciation you have of this particular story.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.