Carriers of the Divine Image
June Newsletter: Upcoming Events; a guided sacred reading practice, the divine image in each of us, the fire-life.
“…open our eyes to the countless wonders
and to the sparks of fire-life that you have planted in each of us.
May this holy and magical night
be aglow with star-fire and God-light
as we once again begin the sacred season of summer.”
~ Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim, Catholic priest Edward Hays, received from Spirituality & Practice, Summer Solstice
Upcoming Soul Care for Wounded Healer Events
Soul Care Groups: 10-11am PST
Tues June 4th
Tues August 13th
Tues September 10th
If your first group, please sign up so I can get to know you a bit!
Save the Date:
October-November: Soul Care for Wounded Healers: 6-week Soul Care Group Series for DV/SA Advocates
December 10th: Year-End Examen
Lectio Divina (Sacred Reading) Practice:
As the days lengthen or shorten depending on which hemisphere you live in, may the changes call you into connection to the Source, to Love, to the Creator and more deeply know yourself as a divine image bearer, the fire-life within as the above quote states.
I invite you to engage in a lectio divina reading of a quote from Irish theologian and poet, John O’Donohue. Below I’ve included the format I lead in my soul care groups, adapted from the book, Lectio Divina, by Christine Valters Paintner.
Preparation: To begin, I invite you to take a few minutes to slow down, let go of what you are holding on to, and turn your attention to God in this moment.
• Sit comfortably, and shift your body so you feel relaxed and open.
• Notice your breathing: as you breathe in, be aware of the presence of the Spirit, as you breathe out, let go of all that distracts you from this time of prayer.
• Imagine placing any worries or burdens in God’s care.
• Take as much time as you need to turn inward and settle into stillness.
Lectio: Slowing read the quote for familiarity first, and then second, notice what words or phrases stand out to you.
· Notice what shimmers, beckons, invites or speaks to you.
· Be open to what unnerves, disturbs, or stirs you.
· Repeat the words to yourself in silence, let it become your nourishment.
· Allow the word to unfold in your imagination and work within you. Savor this experience
“May the beauty of your life become more visible to you, that you may glimpse your wild divinity.
May the wonders of the earth call you forth from all your small, secret prisons and set your feet free in the pastures of possibilities.
May the outside voices of fear and despair find no echo in you.
And when love finds the path to your door may you open like the earth to the dawn, and trust your every hidden color towards its nourishment of light.”
~John O’Donohue, from Beauty – The Invisible Embrace
Inhale. Exhale.
Meditatio: Read the quote again, keeping the particular selection in front of your mind. Let it speak even more deeply. Allow the Spirit to expand your capacity for listening.
Oratio: Let this word be an invitation into God’s presence. Come to God in receptive dialogue or worship or confession or questions, whatever is on your heart.
· How is God reaching me through this quote?
· Ask for what you need.
· What is your response to God right now? Is there a yes you might offer to God?
Contemplatio: Allow yourself to simply be in God’s presence.
· Rest in presence of the one who has spoken to you intimately and personally. In God’s loving embrace, allow your heart to be moved to gratitude for this time.
· Let go of words and practice silence.
· Cultivate receptivity; take in all that God offers you right now.
Operatio: Living it out—from now until the next time.
· Consider how you may take this word or phrase into your coming day, and respond to your life from this experience.
· What would help you live into whatever truth has arisen for you?
· Is there a time of day when you want to remember the word of phrase?
Prayer of Blessing
I reach out my hands in blessing....
May the Light of the Beautiful One Shine upon you.
May the wild regenerative Energy of the Holy rise UP within you.
May the grace of Mercy swirl around you.
May the Flow of Life move through you.
May your heart know your worth, your value, your dignity, your sacredness as you breathe, as you stand, as you offer presence to the world THIS DAY.
Journal Prompts:
· Where do you experience divine connection?
· Who in your life, past or present, has given you a taste of God’s love, given you glimpses of the image of God in them?
· What activities in your life seem to draw you to God and awareness of yourself as image bearer? What activities seem to pull you away?
· When and where are you most likely to be aware of God’s presence? Least likely?
I always welcome your comments and reflections!
Grace and hope to you,
Bethany Dearborn Hiser
RESOURCES
BURNOUT & RECOVERY RESOURCE LIST (Hay varias en Español también). If you have recommendations, I'd love to hear about them!
INSIGHT TIMER GUIDED MEDITATIONS:
I’ve recorded some of my soul care group meditations for your listening and prayerful contemplation on-the-go. I welcome your rating and sharing of the meditations.
SOUL CARE FOR WOUNDED HEALER: CUSTOMIZED NON-PROFIT WORKSHOPS
Based on the book, From Burned Out to Beloved, workshops integrate discussion questions, grounding activities, trauma research, recovery tools, contemplative practices, and other spiritual disciplines. They seek to improve the overall well-being of individuals, enhance organizational culture, and improve sustainability and effectiveness in work.
Workshop topics can be combined or tailored specifically for your group. Contact me to start the conversation.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
Further Learning: https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/consolation-and-desolation-2/
Embodied Practice: Dr. Arielle Schwartz is a yoga teacher and therapist, who teaches on polyvagal theory and trauma-informed yoga. Check out another of her short practices if interested.
Bethany Dearborn Hiser is the Director of Soul Care for Northwest Family Life, a network of therapists trained to work with survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma.
She is the author of From Burned Out to Beloved: Soul Care for Wounded Healers. For more about her, her book, or workshops she offers, visit: