Over the years, I have had the opportunity to encounter various expressions of Christian spirituality, some in theory, and others through seeking to integrate them into my life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Around the time the pandemic began, amidst so much uncertainty, learning about the spirituality of the \u201cWay to the Heart” helped me immensely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A distinctive nuance this spirituality offers is a relational perspective across several areas\u2014for instance, how different aspects of the inner life relate to one another, as well as how we relate to others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For me, it continues to invite me to delve deeper into my humanity in order to seek and find the image and likeness of God within myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At its core, the spirituality of the “Path to the Heart” invites us to contemplative prayer. Through this practice, areas of my life emerge where I choose to work\u2014personally, intentionally, and through the lens of faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contemplative prayer can be deeply revealing; it is in the silence that we have the opportunity to become aware of the thoughts and feelings circulating within us\u2014things we might otherwise overlook due to the routine of daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among other things, the spirituality of the \u201cWay to the Heart” invites us to orient our thoughts and feelings toward love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Recently, during one of these contemplative prayer sessions, I realized just how hard I can be on myself. The “voice” that surfaced was anything but friendly; it argued with me and was intent on magnifying my mistakes, blowing them out of proportion until they felt catastrophic. Clearly, since that “voice” was not loving, it did not come from God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Is it easy for you to recognize what you are thinking? And what you are feeling?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The practice of contemplative prayer gradually leads us to deeper inner places, far beyond the “obvious.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Scripture, Jeremiah expresses that he allowed himself to be seduced by God. The first time I heard this phrase, I imagined a form of innocent flirtation, a longing on God\u2019s part to draw me close, not to judge, scold, or correct, but to share in and enjoy life together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon realizing how harsh I was being toward myself\u2014and acknowledging that such an attitude doesn’t sound very “loving”\u2014I faced the task of constantly reminding myself that God longs to flirt with me and share life in close intimacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I long for the day when I will always remember this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What about you? Have you noticed what your thoughts reveal? Do you desire to have your mindset transformed, as described in the Letter to the Romans?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the Spirit leads you, share with Jesus the Carpenter those harsh thoughts about yourself. You might just discover a new way in which God loves you (despite what you think).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marisol<\/p>\n\n\n\n
P.S.: We hear about this invitation to a new way of thinking in the readings for the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year \/ cycle A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n