Do you read your holy book regularly?

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Do you read your holy book regularly?
18
Sat, 06-04-2005 - 9:04am

Do you read the holy book of your faith on a regular basis?  Be it the Bible, Torah, Quran, or teachings of another prophet, is that where you turn when you need guidance or assurance of your path?


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sun, 06-05-2005 - 11:51am
Yes very regularly. I read the Bible, both old and new testaments, The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price very regularly. We read together as a family every night. And then I read to each of the boys one on one. I also have my own personal study time. I also read the Ensign magazine, and I read The Friend magazine to my kids. Both of which are produced by my religion and are full of wonderful articles that supplement. I also love non-fiction on my religion, written by the general authorities.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2005
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 12:22pm

Yes, I read the Bible everyday. I have a little booklet that gives me the 3 readings of the day, if I were going to Mass, for the entire liturgical year. I read those readings (that are the Epistle, Gospel and one or two additional readings), and a little meditative paragraph about one of the readings, to get me thinking deeper about the reading and its meaning in my life. When I need specific guidance for something complicated in my life, or a question develops about something, I turned to the Catechism of the Catholic Church. It's a door stopper in size, even in paperback, LOL! ;) But it gives me concise information, with reference also back to specific Bible sections and the teachings of my Church, as well, to back it up. It helps me sort through, with the help of prayer, the Holy Spirit and God, to figure out how I should handle what comes up in my life, whenever I have some confusion about God's way. I've just begun an on-line study course on it, as well, to increase my understanding and awareness of what my Faith teaches. I feel it's important to continue one's education in one's faith, as well as set aside daily time for practicing one's faith in prayer and meditation, in order to stay focused to live rightly. :)

Anna




Edited 6/9/2005 12:31 pm ET ET by anna-w
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Registered: 04-26-2005
Thu, 06-09-2005 - 12:28pm

"Praying is talking to God, Meditation is listening. "

This is beautiful and I agree wholeheartedly! :) I have added a new spiritual piece to my day, called Contemplative Prayer. It's like meditation, as it's focus is being quiet inside, mentally, and listening for God. ;) It has really helped me stop the mental "spin" and has helped with those times of confusion when I'm not sure of something.

Anna

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2004
Sat, 06-11-2005 - 5:08am

Anna could you tell me a little more about contemplative prayer, it sounds really interesting and i'd like to try it if only i knew how.

Thanks

Blessings Carol

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2005
Sat, 06-11-2005 - 11:49am

I'll be glad to try. ;) Contemplative prayer is "listening" for God. It's a slightly different emphasis than meditation. In meditation we can choose a focus, but I know in Zen, I was taught it was more an emptying and quieting of the mind. Not really waiting for anything or anyone, or being in worship mode in this case, but a way to shut down the clamour of your mind, so that you could foster living in the present moment and being able to act and react more appropriately. Many different religions have had meditative practices and still do. This form has also been called "centering prayer." Contemplative prayer is that time where you stop talking to God with words and thoughts, asking for this or that, or praying about problems or challenges. It's a LISTENING for His answer in the quiet of your heart.

Here's a link that explains it from a Christian point of view:

http://www.contemplativeprayer.net/

http://www.disciplesnow.com/catholic/html/article140.html

http://www.centeringprayer.com/cntrgpryr.htm#Christian%20Contemplative%20Prayer

It takes a bit of getting used to, but It's worth the practice. :) It's not easy to quiet our minds in any meditation focus. You can choose a word from Scripture or your own spiritual tradition, and repeat it in your mind when you notice your mind bubbling and taking your thoughs along with it. I am starting out with 20 minutes/day. The leader of the contemplative prayer church group I joined and meet with weekly, recommends building up to eventually two 20 minute sessions a day, when one is ready. In some of the web sites, it mentions an hour. Like any new practice, however, starting with 20 minutes is perhaps better. If there is some outside sound/noise, I sometimes used nature sounds on a CD to block out things that would pull my attention away. Silence is best because any additional sound can get your mind going off in a direction. LOL! ;) It doesn't come easy, and it does take persistence even in the face of feeling a session wasn't successful, but I am already feeling a different level of serenity and calmness in meeting life's happenings in a more spiritually God-centered way. I'm still too new at it to realize the full benefits, but I know adding this practice to the rest of my spiritual time in a day, takes me deeper.

Hope that helps! ;))

Anna

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-22-2003
Sat, 06-11-2005 - 4:41pm

At Unity, we use a toned bowl for centering that reverberates for quite some time after being struck.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-26-2005
Sun, 06-12-2005 - 9:19am

I love the sound of the toned bowl! :) The group leader for the contemplative prayer group I joined uses one.

Anna

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2004
Tue, 06-14-2005 - 4:33pm

Anna,

Thank you so much for your wonderful and well explained reply. I certainly intend to give it a go, it sounds like something I could really do with.

Many Thanks
Carol

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