Spiritual Practices

http://mattwesley.gaia.com — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 04:40:10 GMT

Greetings,

One criticism of our movement is that we are a "mile wide and an inch deep". As the recent Commission on Appraisal (Engaging our Theological Diversity) noted, our religious syncretism is an amazing strength but also, perhaps, an Achilles' heel.

I am currently chairing our Insight Committee (which covers adult RE). In that role, I have been toying with the notion that perhaps we want to explore the idea of spiritual practices as a way to deepen our individual experience and commitment. The idea that is gerninating has to do with consciously fostering individual depth (say committment to a specific practice - such as Zen or contemplative prayer, or journaling), while maintaining institutional breadth. The ultimate idea would be that we would gently expect new members to explore a practice that becomes an anchor to their lives (by creating a cultural norm) and that we would work with these new members and friends to help them discover what that practice is. Our breadth of Sources and traditions would become the wellspring from which individuals would draw their inspiration and support.

So here' are my two sets of questions:

1. Does anyone have deep commitment to a particular practice that integrates with their commitment to being a UU? What does it do for you?

2. What do you think of the notions above. (Knowing UUs I know I will get a lot of honest feedfack!)

Namaste,

Matt

Gaia: Unitarian Universalist Perspectives - Unitarian Universalism - Spiritual Practices

Spiritual Practices