Hi friends, Happy Wednesday!
Part of what I want to share in this space is practical spiritual practices that are bringing me into deeper daily communion with God. This has looked different for me in different seasons (even month to month), so I expect a lot of back-and-forth, with new iterations of what’s serving me well and bringing me peace and clarity and divine connection. I’m eager to hear your own practices as well! Today, I’m sharing my current morning meditation practice.
When I meditate changes depending on the season: sometimes it’s first thing, other times it’s after a workout and a shower. I try to set the environment in the same way, though, as a cue for my body and spirit that this is a sacred time. Usually a hot (or hopefully at least warm) cup of coffee, and a candle, and a soft blanket on my bed.
After a moment or two just to quiet myself, maybe journaling if I feel the need for a quick brain dump, I open my Second Breath app and play their Daily Centering meditation for 10 minutes. Second Breath was introduced to me by a friend last year, and I have really come to love and appreciate their resources for spiritual growth, particularly their app of meditations. They have themed meditation series that you can choose to follow (such as a 5-day Meditation for Sleep set), or you can simply play their daily centering practice, as I do each morning. I do love their themed series offerings, though; I especially appreciate how they blend modern experts (like Matthew Walker on Sleep) with prominent Christian thinkers (like Henri Nouwen).
I enjoy these daily centering recordings because they are slightly different each day, but general enough for even the most questioning Christian to feel at peace and guided toward Love, and they have a lot of silence and margin. The majority of the time is silent, save for a few sentences at the beginning and a cue or two in the middle to bring you back to focus if needed, and a blessing and chime at the end. It’s been a really healthy daily rhythm for me to meditate on simple truths, how God loves me and delights in me.
When the meditation ends, I have begun the habit of visualizing my day, at least to the best of my ability. I try to mentally “fast forward” through my day, starting from getting up from the meditation and ending with getting in bed. I notice where there is margin and where there might be stress. I ask the Lord to highlight important things to me, or show me where he might be leading or speaking into the day. Sometimes, he gives me a word or a focus during this practice. Other times, I feel strongly that I need to add something into my day, or subtract from it, or I feel specific guidance about how to fill some downtime or margin. Once I’ve prayerfully gone through my day once, and brought it to the Lord and sought wisdom in his presence, I’ll visualize it once more with any posture or schedule changes I’ve felt in my spirit were needed. At this point, I typically end my meditation and begin my day as I’ve visualized it.
This two-part morning practice, of the daily centering and visualizing and praying over my day, has brought me a lot fo clarity and grace in the last few months. I’ve found that when my day goes off the rails, I am better equipped to handle it with peace, because I know God is with me in those changes. I have found I am more prepared to be present and use my time well, often because the Spirit has helped me identify needs in advance. It feels a little woo-woo, a little “manifesty” at the onset, but it’s proven to be a deepening, centering practice for me, and I pray it will be for you, too.
If it’s interesting to you, I highly encourage you to explore the resources of Second Breath Center, especially the Second Breath app. I don’t get any kickbacks, and it is a paid app, but there is a free one-week trial here: you can get premium access free for 7 days.
https://secondbreath.page.link/go
Friends, I would love to hear about the daily practices you incorporate into your life that are bringing you peace, clarity, and connection. I’m so grateful for your support, and for making Faith in the Grey a part of your week. Praying peace over each of you!
Karli
I'm definitely going to have to try Second Breath. I used to use the Stop Breathe Think app but they ceased operations last year. They still have a bunch of their meditations as videos on their old Facebook page, which I should record before that stops working!
I don't have a good routine but would like to create one. I mentioned in a previous comment that I have a devotional that I really like called "She Who Prays: A Women's Interfaith Prayer Book". It has readings for morning, midday, and evening - it could be a good starting point for me to try and create a morning routine with it.