Devotions based on David Benner’s book, Soulful Spirituality Meditation can help us be more present to ourselves and to others. It can lead us into a place of inner stillness, solitude, and silence. Meditation can help us focus our mind and help us settle into a mode of open receptivity to God. And in prayer…

Devotions based on David Benner’s book, Soulful Spirituality We all long for someone that can be fully with us- present, open, attentive, and available to receive us and our experience. Being fully present is much harder than it may sound because it takes stillness that is nurtured by silence and solitude.  We are so full…

Devotions based on David Benner’s book, Soulful Spirituality We need to listen to our life and recognize the many parts of our story over which we had no control…like the family we were born into, skin color, body type, temperament etc. We all have an ideal of what we want our life to be like…

Devotions based on David Benner’s book, Soulful Spirituality Reality is the place where spirit and soul meet. Apart from a grounding in reality, both our soul and spirit wither and our spirituality is just pretense and posturing. We generally want truth on our own distorted terms so we can make ourselves more acceptable and comfortable.…

Devotions based on David Benner’s book, Soulful Spirituality Genuine Hospitality has great potential to enrich relationships. The Rule of St. Benedict Order is “ that all guests who arrive should be received as Christ.”  When we welcome others and treat them as sacred it helps both them and us to flourish. They have their own…

Devotions based on David Benner’s book, Soulful Spirituality “When we open our heart’s experience to each other in trust, we are entering on holy ground where there is no place for comment, criticism, or correction, but only for a response of loving acceptance. On this holy ground God-in-you  is listening to the God-in-the-other.” It is…

Devotions based on David Benner’s book, Soulful Spirituality “The gift of wonder begins with the awakening of awareness. Our part is then simply being open to seeing the ordinary in a new light-through childlike eyes of wonder.” When we wonder about anything it is like holding the object of our attention gently without having to…

Devotions based on David Benner’s book, Soulful Spirituality There are two ways of knowing and responding to the world: the way of reason and the way of wonder.  The way of reason eliminates mystery and tries to control. The way of wonder accepts mysteries of life and responds with awe. When we pay attention and…

Devotions based on David Benner’s book,  Soulful Spirituality Often we need to be reminded to get off autopilot and actually live our lives rather than just unconsciously flowing down the stream of life. Mindfulness is being aware and awake in the present moment. For most of us, we get lost in our thoughts and feelings…

Devotions based on David Benner’s book, Soulful Spirituality Being aware and awake are very important aspects of our spiritual journey. We go through most of life as sleepwalkers and need to awaken and become aware, lest we live shallow lives. The Bible encourages us to rise from our sleep, listen to what the Spirit is…