Faithful Philly Forum

Penn researcers just announced they have found out with just 30minutes a day of regular meditation people can improve their attention span and concentration levels. It seems that the discipline of mindfulness actually changes the brain chemistry in some ways not fully known yet. And, those being studied “demonstrated improvements in a matter of weeks.” For me, this jis more evidence for humanity’s spiritual nature and reminds us that we neglect our inner life to our own detriment. (even if not to our everlasting peril!) Meditation is, for me, the simple (and difficult!) act of listening for the “still, small voice of God” in our lives. Christians would do well to do more listening for God and less talking to God, seems to me. 

Well, Jerry Falwell has gone to his great reward. What a figure in our recent history–such a product of his time and place. I remember as a kid going to Lynchburg for shoes (there was a shoe factory there with an outlet). Little did I know then that salvation was just around the corner. I’m inspired by the response of Soulforce, a non-violent movment among GLBT Christians born literally across the street from Jerry Falwell’s church. They both recognize the loss experienced by Fallwell’s family and church, while also lamenting his own loss of never recognizing the enormity of God’s fully embracing love. Thank God for Soulforce.

I wonder what folks are reading along the lines of spirituality. What’s helping or pushing or frustrating you in reading contained between actual book covers (though the daily check on a couple blogs, including this one, also help). What do you read that motivates action? My recent selections have been more introspective. I’ve just started Thomas Moore Care of the Soul, and I’m not into that enough to have anything to say other than he writes beautifully. The last thing I finished was Interior Castle, the classic of St. Teresa of Avila. A quirky thing to say the least–but very rooted in the wisdom of every day spritual searching. Its interesting to see many contemplative themes coming with a 16th century voice–and what a voice!