| I recommend reading a book called, "Who We Are Is How We Pray." If I
remember, after I come back from the next two weeks vacation, I'll
give you the authors name. The author uses first has you evaluate the
personality type of person you are, using the Myers Briggs method. Once
you find your personality type, he then guides you to different methods
of prayer that generally fit your personality type.
I'm a extroverted, influential type personality, which would lead you to
thing that people with personality type would be drawn towards
Charismatic or active type prayer. Well, the opposite is true. We're
led to quit prayer such as meditation, which I've always done long before
I ever read this book. On the other hand, people who are introverted
submissive types are often drawn towards Charismatic, Pentecostal styles
of prayer.
Peace
Jim
|
| In Romans 12.1, Paul intimates that true worship is not confined
to forms of worship associated with an assembly of believers.
To address the question asked though, I believe worship need not
be solemn. Personally, I have come to appreciate the solemnity of the
"high church" order of worship. This appreciation is largely the result
of a pastor I once had who took the time to educate his flock about the
significance of the liturgical colors, the Christian calender, and other
various Christian symbols.
After all, what good are symbols if they have lost their symbolism?
They're like salt that has lost its saltiness.
Peace,
Richard
|
| From: CRL::"QUAKER-L%UIUCVMD.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU" "Quaker Concerns, peace issues, consensus process, spirituality" 30-JUL-1992 16:05:07.39
To: Multiple recipients of list QUAKER-L <QUAKER-L%UIUCVMD.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU>
CC:
Subj: An Uncommon Worship Experience
On Therapeutic Touch, I'm not sure what in particular is real and what
isn't. I have enough trouble trying to describe God to a child.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is reprinted from The New England Friend. Deana Chase of
Westport Monthly Meeting, Massachusetts, is the author. She was asked
to write on the most important spiritual experience of her life
thus far.
--Paul
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not the most important but the most recent significant experience on my
spiritual journey happened last committee day at Wellesley. I had just
arrived and was ready to enter worship when one of my favorite Young
Adult Friends handed me a rainbow-colored wig and asked if I would be
the person to wear this to worship. It wasn't a dare, it was a come-
be-one-of-us invitation and I have to admit I felt honored to be
invited. I put the wig on my head, went to get my "things" in the
kitchen, had a brief conversation that distracted me from what was on my
head as I entered worship late, by the side door.
While trying to figure out where to sit and how to get there, I was
reminded of my unusual headdress by a double take, smile, and a nod. I
immediately thought to take it off. Then came the realization that
simply wearing this into worship was hardly adhering to proper Quaker
attire. Was I wearing it because I wanted approval from our younger
members? Would taking it off be succumbing to peer pressure? How would
I know what to do? The answer came to me to worship. The wig stayed on
as I tried to settle down. I found I couldn't take the wig off but I
sure was having trouble focusing on anything but my head.
I tried my centering prayer. I tried my breathing. I tried to empty my
mind, but I couldn't. I thought of some Friends who would suspect I had
truly lost my marbles. Worse, some may think I was mocking our worship.
My mind raced; once again I tried to breathe myself into worship.
After a few moments of discomfort I was led to look at this situation as
an opportunity. I realized finding my center with this thing on my head
was going to be a lesson in discipline.
First, I tried to let my mind free. Thoughts crowded in one after
another. Was this the flip-side of how Marian Baker feels with her
Quaker bonnet in the secular world? Center down, breathe in. Quakers
are often depicted as very serious people; am I in need of a better
sense of humor?
Breathe out. Is this what it's like to be a person of color, having
people focus on your outward appearance? Perhaps. Silence. How
absurd! I'm sitting here thinking of persons of color with a rainbow
wig on my head. Breathe in, center down, breathe out. Can I take it
off now?
My answer came: not yet. Breathe in. It isn't only their wings that
help angels fly -- it's because they manage to keep it Light. Breathe
out, center down, sense the calm, go deeper. I feel like a fool, what
will Friends think of me? Shoulders down, breathe. What difference
does it make what they think. Besides, it's only a differently-colored
head covering, no worse than a flashy sweater or scarf. Come on, do you
really believe that? Individual faces come into my head. If I took it
off now, would I feel differently? Would I be able to center down?
Breathe. This is worship. Breathe. This is worship. Can you worship?
Breathe in, breathe out, open wider, go deeper. Yes, I can.
Yes, I could. And I did. And I am thankful to that YAF who made this
worship one of my most considered and memorable to date. I hope,
however, this is one of those opportunities I will not need repeat.
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% Subject: An Uncommon Worship Experience
% To: Multiple recipients of list QUAKER-L <QUAKER-L%UIUCVMD.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU>
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