Counter-Cultural Surrendering
November Newsletter: Letting go of desire for security, affection, control.
I let go of my desire for security.
I let go of my desire for approval.
I let go of my desire for control…
I open to the love and presence of God and the healing action and grace within.
––– Mary Mrozowski 1925-1993
The creator and spiritual mother of the welcoming prayer practice
In this US election season marked by so much vying for money-backed power and control, esteem and affection, I want to invite us into a practice of surrender and trust, of noticing and embracing what we are feeling instead of shoving and denying it.
Welcoming prayer, is a prayer of consent and letting go, it invites us to notice what we are feeling, to sink into the feeling, welcome the feeling and the Divine with us, and then to let go, to surrender our grasp for our normal human needs of security, affection and control.
We might feel very out of control right now, feel unsafe, scared, unsure or a whole spectrum of related emotions. These are normal reactions to uncertain times.
The hope in this practice, in spiritual practices is to let go of our strategies to meet these needs through unhealthy ways, and to entrust these needs not to whoever is elected, but to our Source, to the Ground of All being.
It is not saying we don’t want or need to be safe, it’s entrusting our safety to the Creator, Sustainer, and Life-Bringing of all and allowing ourselves to be in the present and not live in fearful future of what-ifs.
Spiritual practices are called practices for a reason. It does not come easy for us and is necessary to repeat over and over again.
In a couple of weeks, I’ll explore more of why this is called a practice of ‘consent on the go’. For now, I invite you to reflect on these prompts and practice the practice. It can be done in the time it takes to breathe twice slowly.
Journal Prompts:
What comes up for me as I consider allowing myself to feel what I feel?
In what way do I cling to my desire for safety and security?
For esteem and affection?
For power and control?
What do I put my trust in for meeting these needs??
Spiritual Practice: Welcoming Prayer Practice
adapted from Contemplative Outreach https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/welcoming-prayer-method/
Inhale Notice
“Gently become aware of your body and your interior state.” (Mary Mrozowski) ‘Focus, feel and sink into what you are experiencing this moment in your body.’
Exhale Consent
“Allow” what you are experiencing this moment in your body as an opportunity to
Consent to the Divine Indwelling.
Inhale: Welcome
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
Exhale: Let go
I let go of the desire for security, affection, and control.
I let go of the desire to change what I am experiencing.
Upcoming Soul Care for Wounded Healer Events
Soul Care Groups: Three options!
Second Tuesdays, TOMORROW Nov 5th US Election Day, Soul Care Group, geared for helping professionals (former or current), rooted in Christian tradition.
Second Fridays, Nov 15th, Contemplative Silent Meditation, (optional breakouts).
If your first time, please register so I can get to know you a bit!
Fourth Fridays, Nov 22nd, Soul Care Group for DV/SA Advocates!
Contemplation in Crisis
“I have always imagined that if every president, prime minister, and military commander on the planet could keep a copy of the Tao Te Ching on his or her bedside and read a stanza or two before going to sleep every night, peace would prevail. "The world is shaped by the Way." said Lao Tzu. "It cannot be shaped by the self. Trying to change it, you damag…
RESOURCES
Contemplative Prayer Practices
Whatever your politics, navigating US elections can be stressful! Check out this free Made for Pax resource of Contemplative Practices as we near the 2024 election.
Another free resource by Osheta Moore and Made for Pax, 7 embodied prayers to engage in throughout the day.
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.
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: