Spiritual videoing

Let’s try something different, something in the vein of spiritual reading / lectio divina; the difference, if you opt to do it, is to allow yourself, with the explicit help of the Holy Spirit — come, Holy Spirit— to reflect on the following videos, rather than the Bible (as in lectio divina) or a spiritual book (as in spiritual reading). The first is a short video by Bishop Robert Barron encouraging everyone to be open to taking a Hero’s Journey. The second is an uncompromisingly artistic bluegrass reflection on Thomas Merton’s Seven Story Mountain, which admittedly I didn’t much like at first but which may serve well as meditative music to provide space for reflection after the first video. When I do lectio divina with the kids, I usually provide music for the second half of the session, so as to ease them into lectio divina (and keep them quiet enough to perhaps pray for a little longer). I usually use classical music, but the words of this song fit a spiritual quest and my bluegrass video theme.

I didn’t set out to take a Hero’s Journey, but I was comforted when such a spiritual interpretation of my hike surprisingly bubbled up inside of me (as shared in my Cave of Evil post). I enjoy sharing my quest into terra incognita with you. My journey, as I’m sure you’ve detected by now, is physical, psychological, and spiritual. You may enjoy following along with my blog due to some inner desire for one of those journeys of your own, and that is why I’m sharing the way I do and offering these videos to you today. I’m subtly and implicitly covering some of the terra incognita that I’m traversing, and I’m happy to see some are picking up on it — a shout out to John Mohrman as reader of the month for all of his insightful and encouraging emails and to Wes for trying to bring me some trail magic! At times I’m explicit about the terra incognita that I’ve traversed that I want to share with you, and my 3-episode podcast on this substack shares the best I’ve found on growing in the life of grace and growing spiritually.

What kind of hero’s quest is God calling you to take physically, psychologically, and/or spiritually?

Mother Bear and I tackled our first ladder at 6:30 am yesterday.