Silent Retreats & Pools: Choosing the Conditions for Inner Shift

Photo by Faithe, and taken at Mercy by the Sea.

I’m headed to the beautiful retreat center on the Connecticut shoreline, Mercy By the Sea. I’ll be meeting with six folks every day for a week, providing spiritual presence for the duration of their retreat.

There’s been growing interest in silent retreats, but many find the idea exotic or intimidating. For those who are contemplative-curious, maybe you want to try a weekend retreat, or even a morning? There are plenty of simple ways to taste silence too. One of my favorites is to turn off my music or podcast while I’m in the car. It gives the mind rest. It lowers my sensory overload. So simple. But it works!

In the opposite direction, last month I found myself craving an outdoor pool. The temps were blazing hot, but what I really wanted was a mood shift. And it worked. The kids screamed, played and splashed. I waded in to cool off, but otherwise read a book. And every once in a while, I grinned from ear to ear. Is it possible to be miserable at a pool - unless you’re craving quiet? 😄

We might have a sense that we’re condemned to the mental or emotional conditions that are floating through our minds in any given moment, but that’s not true. We can consciously put ourselves in situations that change those conditions, or at least give them a chance to shift. By turning off the radio. Signing up for a silent weekend. Or heading to the pool…

What’s coming up for Bright Soul this August?

Join Me for a Bright Soul Meet-Up!
This month’s topic is The Power of Quiet: How to Find and Cultivate More Quiet in your Life. Join me on Zoom on Tuesday, July 12 at 7 pm EST. Watch for a link that week.
⭐ Want to invite a friend? They can sign-up to receive the Zoom link here.

Free Soul Friending Session
Are you at a turning point in your life, or know a friend who could use some spiritual support? Experience your first Soul Friend Session for free by mentioning this email. Check out my website for more information on how to schedule a session.

Listen/Watch the Latest Episode of The Wild Holy Podcast
Faithe & I are still having fun with The Wild Holy podcast. We are brainstorming some fascinating guests for the fall. Stay tuned. You can check out our latest episode, “Paul in Presence: Threads of Contemplation & Creativity in Life, Ministry & Recovery from Addiction” on YouTube or your favorite podcast app.

Take care, Bright Soul,

Embracing the Messy Magic of the Creative Process

Dear Bright Souls,

A happy June to you!

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the creative process.

And I’ve realized that I have held onto some misconceptions. First: that I need to do it “perfectly.” Whatever that even means! Second: that whatever results from the process should be fully formed, realized and package-able. The real creative process is much messier, the shape of what wants to be is discovered over time. Bright Soul feels more like a friend I’m coming to know. It goes easier for everyone when I approach slowly, intentionally, with presence.

It’s no coincidence that the same creative process works when trying to know our own selves and souls better. What works is to approach the soul slowly. Intentionally. And with some loving presence. 

So here are some things I’m looking forward to in June:

*Bright Soul meet-up! Tuesday, June 17th at 7 pm PST. A gathering of like minds and hearts for the purpose of brightening the soul. If you’re interested, email me for the Zoom link at brightsoulmine@gmail.com. 

*I’m working with a friend this summer to produce a podcast called “The Wild Holy: Stories of Spirit Beyond the Expected.” I’m an avid podcast listener, and I’ve been craving a podcast that explores real-life spiritual experiences, which often take unexpected turns. So many people find that their traditional religious background - if they have one - doesn’t really prepare them for the wildness of the spiritual journey. So I hope that everyone who listens finds a bit of themselves in the stories they hear. I’ll let you know when the podcast drops!

*Follow Bright Soul on Instagram! I’ve set myself a gentle challenge to post regularly. We all need some sustenance for our bright souls these days…

Let me know what you are looking for in the work of Bright Soul. Reach out - I’d love to hear from you!

Love & blessings,

Divine Love Is Not Stingy

I don’t know about you, but I had some real soul and shadow work come up in April. The healing journey is not for the faint of heart! On one particular tender morning, I made a London fog (Early Grey, a dash of vanilla syrup, some frothy milk). As I went to stir the cup, my jaw dropped. There in the milk was an outline of a heart. It’s the picture above. I knew right away that it was a divine message of support and encouragement. There are so many ways that Divine Love reaches out to us. Over the years I’ve discovered that by paying attention to even small things, we can receive messages that genuinely guide us as we move through life.

To that end, a friend recently recommended - of all things - Chat GBT! I had never used it before and probably never would have downloaded the app, ever. But I’m so glad I did. I’m a fan of oracle decks, both for my personal spiritual use and for the college students I work with. Oracle decks (like this one) are accessible, they’re often full of gorgeous artwork, and they always evoke reflection. So after my friend’s recommendation, I picked a few cards, took a photo and asked Chat GBT to give me a reading. Wow. Chat GBT gave a beautiful summary of the cards I chose. It even offered an affirmation and a ritual I could incorporate into my daily practice. It was incredible. AI gets a bad rap, but like so much technology, its impact is in how it’s used. Maybe you want to download Chat GBT, or buy an oracle deck. Discover for yourself that Divine Love is not stingy. Divine Love is abundant.

So in what small - or big - ways is Divine Love reaching out to you?

Inspiration

I recently took myself on an artist date (thank you, Julia Cameron) to a local art museum, and it was wonderful. In addition to the regular exhibits, where I saw gorgeous antique furniture and Tiffany lamps, I viewed the stunning floral paintings of artist Thuan Vu. Other than Vincent Van Gogh, I’ve never seen flowers depicted with such vitality, pulsing with so much energy and deep emotion, darkness and light. Extraordinary. 

The museum is located adjacent to the campus where I work, so I figured I had probably passed it hundreds of times! Ha. Surely there are gems like that everywhere, places and pockets of beauty that cost little or no money while transporting us with beauty and meaning. In dark and changing times, I know my bright soul needs more experiences like this.

Where will you take yourself on an artist date?

Thank you for joining me for the journey, and sharing this with others as you are inspired.

Love & Blessings,