SHARE YOUR WORD FOR 2016
In ancient times, wise men and women fled out into the desert to find a place where they could be fully present to God and to their own inner struggles at work within them. The desert became a place to enter into the refiner’s fire and be stripped down to one’s holy essence. The desert was a threshold place where you emerged different than when you entered.
Many people followed these ammas and abbas, seeking their wisdom and guidance for a meaningful life. One tradition was to ask for a word – this word or phrase would be something on which to ponder for many days, weeks, months, sometimes a whole lifetime. This practice is connected to lectio divina, where we approach the sacred texts with the same request – “give me a word” we ask – something to nourish me, challenge me, a word I can wrestle with and grow into. The word which chooses us has the potential to transform us.
What is your word for the year ahead? A word which contains within it a seed of invitation to cross a new threshold in your life?
Share your word in the comments section below by January 6, 2016 and you are automatically entered for the prize drawing (prizes listed below).
A FREE 12-DAY ONLINE MINI-RETREAT TO HELP YOUR WORD CHOOSE YOU. . .
As in past years, I am offering all Abbey newsletter subscribers a gift: a free 12-day online mini-retreat with a suggested practice for each day to help your word choose you and to deepen into your word once it has found you. Even if you participated last year, you are more than welcome to register again.
Subscribe to our email newsletter and you will receive a link to start your mini-retreat today. Your information will never be shared or sold. (If you are already subscribed to the newsletter, look for the link in today’s email).
WIN A PRIZE – RANDOM DRAWING GIVEAWAY ON JANUARY 6TH!
We are delighted to offer some wonderful gifts from the Abbey:
- One signed copy each of Soul of a Pilgrim, Eyes of the Heart, The Artist’s Rule, and Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire.
- One space in Sacred Seasons: A Yearlong Journey through the Celtic Wheel of the Year
- 4 people will win their choice of self-study online classes from the following: Creative Flourishing in the Heart of the Desert: A Self-Study Online Retreat with St. Hildegard of Bingen, Soul of a Pilgrim: An Online Art Retreat, Seasons of the Soul, Lectio Divina: The Sacred Art of Reading the World, or Eyes of the Heart: Photography as a Contemplative Practice.
So please share your word (and it would be wonderful to include a sentence about what it means for you) with us below.
Subscribe to the Abbey newsletter to receive ongoing inspiration in your in-box. Share the love with others and invite them to participate. Then stay tuned – on January 6th we will announce the prize winners!
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712 Responses
D dare I cross this threshold
E entering into some loss of everything held dear
A a complete surrendering of this ego-Self — no self!
T the darkness of unknowing is so overwhelming, uncomfortable,
H Holy darkness in holy death
— crossing, entering, present!
A Word has haunted me
Into this last day – How blind!
This unknown dark spot!
A threshold into
New Birth, clearer Light within?
It came in the Night!
Unexpected, Loved
This inner child, aging humbled,
This year’s journey ends
Into a vision of Light!
Today, I begin!
Who am I?
One shrouded, hidden, unseen, walking between worlds,
as one who knows without knowing!
My word for 2016 is silence. Raise your words not voice. It is rain that grows flowers not thunder.~ Rumi
Wholeness
The word revealed to me for 2016 is MYSTERY. Along with it comes an invitation to companion and to journey with the mystics in 2016. And so, it appears that the books on this topic that have patiently waited upon my bookshelf will be read in 2016. Many blessings to all in this upcoming New Year!
Renewal chose me. I feel it is the crux of my year ahead and I look forward to honoring the word and the practice.
Simplicity. So difficult to remember in this season of material extravagance and busyness.
When going on a Contemplative walk, I like our coast. The coast we live on in Saltcoats Ayrshire has wonderful views of the Island of Arran. But walking along to a path along a old path which is now closed due to repair after being damaged by wild waves. The wild waves remind me of the battering I have felt with being in 1-2 churches. Our Lord prompted his prayer (The Lords Prayer) with regards to Forgiveness. I once prayed for these people to have an angel visit them with a machine gun. Thats how angry I felt at the time.
However, these battering waves reminded me also of God’s cleansing power. This walk really dealt with some past issues I thought had been forgiven. But it shown me just how deep these past issues are really buried inside of me.
Love and Blessings
Courage with Strength for the next season
“Savor” is my word for 2016. To savor the offerings each day may bring in all its layers. Savor in the delight and joy of the day as well as in the challenges and shadow moments.
TRUST