SERMON: Cultivating a Spiritual Presence
July 15, 2013 at 4:00pm
What Woundrous Love (2nd verse)
When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down
Beneath my sorrows ground,
Friends to me gather’d round O my soul O my soul
I
recently completed a course on Choice Theory, which was developed by a
psychiatrist named, William Glasser. He claims that people have five
basic needs, survival, love & belonging, Power, freedom, and fun.
Each of us has different priorities asto what area is more important.
Of all the forces that affect our lives, I believe that the needs to love
and beloved are the greatest of all. As we move forward with our lay
ministry pastoral care team, our focus on healingand providing
compassionate support. A tool we hope to use it to be truly present to
others when we are withthem. I’d like to talk about on how we can
cultivate a spiritual presence within your self and then for others.
What
does it mean to be spiritually present for another? That’s not an easy
thing to explain but I’m going to try. I think of it as being there to
listen to someone who may be lonely, or in pain, and help them to feel
like everything will be okay, even if it’s only for the brief time that
you are together. It’s like having someone who is with you that who
understands where you’re coming from and really cares. This is the kind
of presence that you may have around family or friends that you are
close to. This is quality that can be found in many teachers, counselor,
and ministers.
Receiving the healing of Sacred Space
As
I composed this sermon, I remember an incident about 6 years ago when I
felt the spiritual presence, of Reverend Ana. It was early on a Sunday
morning and I had had a terrible argument at home. I came into the
sanctuary here at church where Reverend Anna was preparing for the
service. She saw that I was upset, stopped what she was doing and came
over to talk with me. I told her what was going on with me as I began
to cry. She stayed there with me while I wept. Her presence comforted
me and I didn’t feel so alone in my pain. I was able release some of
sadness. After that experience, I began to think how wonderful it would
be to offer that kind of presence to others.
Why is it
important to be presentand to help others in the context of our church
community? This is a place where we can find healing in community and a
place where we can help others. I wonder how many people find our church
after some transition or difficulty in their lives. Some families look
for a church after having children and looking for a community to be a
part of. Others, may come to the church afterthe loss of a loved one or
broken relationship. Perhaps you found yourself here simply because
you wanted to be with others who value some of the same things that you
do. This is a place where you can be accepted for who you are.
Hopefully, whenyou started here, members of the congregation made you to
feel welcome. Maybe their presence made you feel like you were part of
the group. Now that you are part of the congregation, it’s your turn to
help the newcomersfeel welcome be being present for them.
Mindfulness & Prayer
In
order to be spiritually present for others, you must find a way to clear
your own mind and become centered. Buddhism talks about the notion of
mindfulness. This is where you become aware of your body and physical
surroundings and cease thinking about the past or future. Practicing
meditation or yoga are two ways of freeing ones mind. For others
prayer may offer a way to center oneself and find some inner-peace.
It doesn’t matter whether you pray to a Christian god, allah, the
universe or your high self. What matters is that you find what works for
you.
Sacred Spaces
Sometimes it visiting a
certain place can help you feel a greater sense of spirit and connection
to the universe. There are many weekswhen my life seems hectic juggling
work, parenting, and school. Coming to Sunday services her at
UUCCoffers me a place to slow down and remember myself. My sense of the
sacred is strengthened by the connection that I feel with all of you. A
church isn’t the only place where you can experience this lift. For some,
walking in the forest preserves or along the beach brings peace. For
others tending your garden or being out in the yard can be relaxing. Even
setting up a small altar using a table with pictures of loved one and
other very personal object can create a space to visit.
What
about those times when itseems like there is no place you can go or no
prayer that can get you out of you own head? If you’re like me, calling a
friend or meeting them for coffee can be comforting. Even curling
up with your favorite book may bring you joy and inspiration. A book
that comes to my mind is
The Five People you Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. I particularly like the quote: “You have peace," the old woman said, "when you make it with yourself.””
Creating Sacred Space for Others
Once
you are able to cultivate that sense of peace within yourself, then you
may be able to open up that sacred space when you are with others. I
first learned about this when talking with seminary students at
Meadville-Lombard. Through their experience working as chaplains at local
hospitals, they would often visit patients who were very ill or dying
and try to bring them comfort. The seminary students explained how they
were able to provide the most comfort by listening to the patient and
being a calm presence.
A number of years ago, I remember
making a similar visit to Don who had been a member of this congregation
and of the men’s group that I belong to as well. I had heard that Don was
in the hospital with severe respiratoryproblems. Andy and I decided to
go see Don and let him know that we cared. After arriving at the
hospital, we went to Don’s room. He wasn’t able to talk but he was awake
and I could tell my the look in his eyes that he was happy to see us. I
sat and talked to John for a bit. I felt a sort of presence in the room
that seem larger than me and Don. All I new was that Iwas glad that I
could be there for Don and hopefully bring him some comfort.
Does
this mean that we have to visit someone who is sick or dying in order to
be fully present for someone else? Certainly not. You can practice
being present forothers after the service in the gathering room. Try
saying hello to someone new who is visiting the church or to someone that
you haven’t touch base with in awhile. You may be surprised how your
presence and a few kind words may bring joy to them. The practice of
being presence with others can also be applied in daily life with you
family, friends, or even a stranger in line atthe grocery store.
Perhaps you can try doing this twice during the next week and share your
experience with otherhere next Sunday.
Returning back to
Choice Theory and the five basic needs. Glasser stated that human
suffering is due to not meeting those basic needs. Your physical
presence, listening to others with compassion and empathy can make this
place a brighter world for others.
