Silent Sunday
You Restore my Soul
In this silent Sunday we explore how our souls are restored in nature, and then move into a reading of Psalm 23.
Opening music:
Introduction Talk:
Quiet Prayer
You can choose between a 10 and a 20 minute time of quiet prayer using the links below. If you find that your mind is caught up in thinking, gently let go of your thoughts and return to the quietness that is always present outside of your thinking, through awareness of your breath or your sacred word.
Listen to the following music as an ending to the time of prayer:
Lyrics:
Whichever way you turn
Whichever way you turn
Whichever way you turn
There is the face of God
Sacred Reading:
Read the following reading through twice or three times, with an attitude of open receptivity. Allow a few minutes of silence between the readings. Listen for any words that call out to you, or that draw you into the sacredness of silence that is deeper than your usual knowing:
Psalm 23
Creator Beloved, You are my shepherd, I shall not want;
You bring me to green pastures for rest,
and lead me beside still waters, renewing my spirit;
You restore my soul.
You lead me in the path of goodness to follow Love’s way.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I am not afraid;
For You are ever with me;
your rod and your staff they guide me, they give me strength and comfort.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of all my fears;
you bless me with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the heart of the Beloved forever.
(from Psalms for Praying, by Nan Merrill)
For Further Reflection:
Below is the quote from the talk for you to take this theme further.
"When the mind is festering with trouble or the heart torn, we can find healing among the silence of mountains or fields, or listen to the simple, steadying rhythm of waves. The slowness and stillness gradually takes us over. Our breathing deepens and our hearts calm and our hungers relent. When serenity is restored, new perspectives open to us and difficulty can begin to seem like an invitation to new growth. ...
The beauty of nature is often the wisest balm for it gently relieves and releases the caged mind."
~John O'Donohue, from his book Beauty: The Invisible Embrace
Ending Prayer:
We pray that we may grow in our understanding of the nature of all living beings and our connectedness with the natural world;
that we may become ever more filled with generosity of spirit and true compassion and love for all life,
that we may value each and every human being for who he is, for who she is, reaching to the spirit that is within,
knowing the power of each individual to change the world.
We pray for these things with humility,
we pray because of the hope that is within us,
and because of a faith in the ultimate triumph of the human spirit,
we pray because of our love for Creation,
and because of our trust in God.
We pray, above all, for peace throughout the world.
Amen.
(Dr. Jane Goodall's Prayer for Peace)
Ending music:
Song lyrics:
The sun is rising in the east
And the feathered flutes begin trilling in the trees
And I sing to love / Sing to give love
Sing to hold love / Sing to be love
In the morning, thank you, thank you
In the evening, thank you, thank you
In the middle of the day, thank you, thank you
In the deep dark night, thank you, thank you
The sun is shining in the south
And I breathe you in, and I breathe you out
And I breathe in love / Breathe out to give love
Breathe in to hold love / Breathe out to be love
The sun is setting in the west
And the birds begin to sing their rhapsody of rest
And I rest in love / Rest to give love
Rest to hold love / Rest to be love
Mizmor shir leyom haShabbat
In the morning, halleluja
In the evening, halleluja
In the middle of the day, halleluja
In the deep dark night, halleluja
And I sing to love / Sing to give love
Sing to hold love / Sing to be love
Breathe in love / Breathe out to give love
Breathe in to hold love / Breathe out to be love
Rest in love / Rest to give love
Rest to hold love / Rest to be love
In the morning, halleluja
In the evening, halleluja
In the middle of the day, halleluja
In the deep dark night, halleluja.
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Sharon's book that was previously called "Contemplative Living" has been republished by AnamChara Books under the title "Deeper: Finding the Depth Dimension Beneath the Surface of Life". The Kindle version is available from Amazon, and the hard copy version can be ordered from loot.co.za or Takealot, or from your local bookshop through Ingram Distribution.