SacredSpace, Other6, Self Acceptance
»SacredSpace.ie – Guided Meditations
My friend Beth Anne Carlson recently introduced me to SacredSpace.ie, and it’s an example of an effective Web-based spiritual formation tool. It was effective for me anyway … in the sense that it helped me experience God’s presence. The site’s produced by the Jesuit Communication Centre in Dublin, Ireland; they actually publish a new guided meditation every day. Consider taking ten minutes and trying it. It may help you connect with God and yourself in a significant way.
»Other6.com – A Web-Based Spiritual Formation Tool
Other6.com is another effective Web-based tool. It’s produced by Loyola Communications (in Chicago). I’m tellin’ ya, the Jesuits are leading the way in developing Web-based spiritual formation tools.
Other6.com is based on a simple spiritual exercise from St. Ignatius aimed at deepening your awareness of God’s presence. The site is very simple — and unique! — and my experience on the site was simple. But it was also deep, as I took my time to really connect with God and myself (and others) through my experience on the site. Definitely consider giving it a try!
»ARTICLE/INTERVIEW: “Just Say ‘Yes’ to the Moment,” an Interview With Tara Brach (Beliefnet)
I’m a big Tara Brach fan. She’s a psychotherapist and meditation instructor — and I really like her approach to the transformational journey. In this interview, she talks a lot about self acceptance, which is at the core of the transformational journey (and is an area I focus a lot of attention on). She also talks about fear, the “small self” and the integration of Western psychology and Eastern spiritual practices. I hope it’s helpful for you!
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Hey Andy – How you’ve been? I somehow stumbled onto your website & blog (o.k. I admit I googled you!
Sounds like you have been busy since our days at Calvin. Interesting blog post, especially since I just finished the book, “Eat, Pray, Love” and found her writing on meditation very interesting. The author wrote that when we pray it’s always us speaking to God while meditation is God speaking to us. Meditation is definitely not something my Dutch (formerly CRC) self is used to doing, but I would love to discern God’s voice more in my life. Keep your good work. (If you are wondering who the heck this Guikema girl is, my maiden name was Pettinga.) By the way, California sounds pretty good right now. January in Michigan is so … so … lovely. 
January 5th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Laurie! It’s so GREAT to hear from you. Wow, what a treat. I hope you’re doing well.
I’ve heard a lot of people mention how much they enjoyed “Eat, Pray, Love” – it sounds like a fun, funny AND deep book.
Supposedly last year Justin Timberlake brought “sexy” back (which is a good thing, if it indeed came back); I want to bring “listening” back (which isn’t as sexy as bringing sexy back, or maybe it’s just a deeper kind of sexy). But seriously, if I were to travel the country and could only teach one thing, I think I’d teach (or try to teach!) “listening” — listening to God, ourselves and others. I’ll let you know when the tour starts (maybe I can open for Justin this year!). Ha.
Thanks again for saying “hi.” (It’s fun to Google people — I certainly enjoy my share of that!) If you continue to explore/practice “meditation,” let me know how it’s going for you. There are a lot of definitions of meditation, ways to meditate, etc. I love the diversity! One way of describing meditation (and of practicing meditation) that I’ve found helpful is “resting in God’s love.”
Blessings and love to you, Laurie.
March 21st, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I enjoyed the Other6 wesite! Great find Andy Pants!
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:22 am
http://dalit-tula.gyno100web.net/ mga alamat na tagalog
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:06 am
http://chukar.1gb.in/tzortzou0a/ free neopets shop
August 6th, 2008 at 5:28 am
http://cubase-sx3.gold100web.net/ cubase sx3 crack dongle
October 28th, 2008 at 2:46 am
http://verbal.tumbin.net/ verbal abuse
October 28th, 2008 at 8:27 am
http://klipovi.tumbin.net/ sex klipovi
October 28th, 2008 at 9:27 am
http://crochet.tumbin.net/ crochet patterns
October 30th, 2008 at 5:08 am
http://eminem-sex.tumbin.net/ hooker costumes
October 30th, 2008 at 5:56 am
http://tooth-crystals.tumbin.net/ arvada tooth whitening
November 5th, 2008 at 6:00 am
http://nurses.k2free.com/msnmoneyed/ msn money
November 19th, 2008 at 4:42 am
http://eco.aecatl.co.cc/ eco friendly catalogs
November 24th, 2008 at 8:16 am
http://hidebehind.croscill.info/ hidebehind pass
December 3rd, 2008 at 9:55 am
http://mesothelioma-lawyer.axiae.co.cc/ mesothelioma lawyer
December 3rd, 2008 at 10:18 am
http://tax-lawyers.axiae.co.cc/ tax lawyers
December 4th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
http://crimi.we.bs/illinois0f/ criminal defense attorney
December 5th, 2008 at 8:51 am
http://eastern-woodland.axiae.co.cc/ eastern woodland
December 6th, 2008 at 1:28 am
http://paralegal.we.bs/birthinj14/ faxless payday advances