I have a practice that I would like to recommend. I call it my integration meditation because my intention is to bring all the voices in my soul into a conversation so that every one of them can be heard and eventually integrated into the whole of me.
Integrated instead of rejected, isolated, feared, etc. When their voices are heard and respected, even if they are immature and petulant, they are far less likely to find alternative forums for their expression. (Inappropriate words and deeds, thoughts and feelings.)
I refer to it as a conversation, but that is a little misleading. It's really more of a shared awareness. I invite God to listen with me to the conflicting voices in my mind and wordless rumblings in my body.
Again, the first step is contemplative listening, nonjudgemental awareness, having the patience and presence to simply listen and let be. Listening with God in this way I experience being known by God compassionately, this in itself is integrating. I believe that much has come of this practice, but the fruit of integration is hard to analyze, that is, separate out. Unity is sweet but hard to describe.
What I can say is that there is less chatter, more agreement. Less confusion and indecision. Even though there are still hurtful thoughts and bodily grumblings, they are allowed for in the way that a family allows for the peculiarities of its members. The wounded are given space or a kind word, whatever seems appropriate at the time. It is understood that the way has to be walked, in the shadows and the light.
Integrated instead of rejected, isolated, feared, etc. When their voices are heard and respected, even if they are immature and petulant, they are far less likely to find alternative forums for their expression. (Inappropriate words and deeds, thoughts and feelings.)
I refer to it as a conversation, but that is a little misleading. It's really more of a shared awareness. I invite God to listen with me to the conflicting voices in my mind and wordless rumblings in my body.
Again, the first step is contemplative listening, nonjudgemental awareness, having the patience and presence to simply listen and let be. Listening with God in this way I experience being known by God compassionately, this in itself is integrating. I believe that much has come of this practice, but the fruit of integration is hard to analyze, that is, separate out. Unity is sweet but hard to describe.
What I can say is that there is less chatter, more agreement. Less confusion and indecision. Even though there are still hurtful thoughts and bodily grumblings, they are allowed for in the way that a family allows for the peculiarities of its members. The wounded are given space or a kind word, whatever seems appropriate at the time. It is understood that the way has to be walked, in the shadows and the light.
