Recommended Reading

This workshop combines the latest in neuroscientific research with spiritual principles to provide you with tools for managing stress, anxiety, and difficult emotions. Learn how to tap into the power of your own body and faith to create a more fulfilling and peaceful life. Jana Holland, the founder of Celu Selah, is committed to cultivating a more embodied and loving world by fostering emotional and spiritual well-being. She supports people of all backgrounds and offers guidance to those going through a faith transition, crisis, or spiritual emergence. Jana has expertise in many areas, including Christian Mysticism, Meditation, Intergenerational Trauma, and Somatic Trauma Therapy. For more information, visit www.celuselah.com This event was hosted by Shalom Sisters at The Third Space, Docklands, Melbourne, Australia, 2023

A short body blessing

Centering in Four Directions This centering practice was developed by Staci K. Haines and has been adapted for use in our Soul Care Sessions.

A meditation on the liminal experience of standing on a threshold held between death and life. Imagine yourself as a caterpillar crawling along, munching leaves. Visualize your little creature self creating the chrysalis in which you will hang. Imagine you are inside this quiet, dark place. You do not need to do anything but just "be." After some time, picture the dawn of a new day. Imagine yourself crossing the threshold A brilliant butterfly coming forth from the chrysalis. Join in the wonder and freedom of your first flight. Turn your attention and heart in trust toward the One who brings you the fullness of life. Gestating Spirit, Your gifts of transformation await me on every threshold. Your life-giving power raises what has died in me. Refresh me with your touch of love. I open the door of my heart to you. I open the door. Videography by Jana Holland Created on Godaddy Studio *Adapted from the work of author and retreat leader Judy Rupp.

With roots in ancient mysticism and Eastern Orthodoxy, Centering Prayer seeks to “open our awareness of God who is within us” (Thomas Keating, a chief spokesperson and architect of Centering Prayer). Centering prayer differs from prayer as we usually think of it in that it is a receptive method of prayer. While prayer is usually about talking to God, asking of God, and giving thanks and praise to God, centering prayer is about our focus and emphasizes Heartfulness. Heartfulness is the cultivation of interior silence in relation to the ultimate Love reality. Thus, Centering prayer is a practice of making space in one's heart to center on and hear from Divine Love. Sit in an upright, attentive posture that allows for an erect spine and open heart. Place your hands on your belly or chest.  Gently close your eyes and begin to notice your breath. What is the quality of your breath? If it is shallow, you may like to take a deep breath, feeling your shoulders raise up and down, and then come into a gentle rhythm. Once you have a calm rhythm of breath flowing, bring to mind a word or image as your symbol to consent to the presence and action of The Eternal within you.  Note: Your sacred symbol is intended to be the same every time you pray. It helps to ground you in the present moment, allowing you to give your undivided, loving, yielded attention to God. You may want to choose a name for God or a characteristic of God, such as Love, Peace, etc.  (“In centering prayer, the sacred word is not the object of the attention but rather the expression of the intention of the will.” Fr. Thomas Keating) Silently, with eyes closed, allow your breath to flow from your belly, through your heart center, to the top of your head, and back down...quieting your mind. As you notice your thoughts, release them and gently return to your sacred symbol. Once you have returned to center, release your word as well. Do this as many times as you notice your thoughts. Don’t forget, this is not about “getting it right”; there’s no judgment in this practice.  When your prayer period is over, transition slowly from your prayer practice to thanksgiving and into your active life.