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Spiritual Direction

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Akita Suggagaki

Akita Suggagaki

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bèlla said:
It’s problem-solving at its core. If I have a dilemma I’m not looking for advice thrown against the wall like spaghetti. I want concrete solutions that resolve the issue and minimize damage. Which isn’t formulaic. You can’t pray the same things for every problem or broach them identically.

For example, let’s say I want to improve my health. I‘d have to start with the word on the subject and acknowledge my transgressions and willingness to change. I’ll demonstrate my seriousness by seeking His counsel, heeding His feedback, modifying my diet and so on. That’s faith and works in action.

I don’t live my life like a game of darts. If I’m not committed the outcome will be less impactful than one undertaken with a different mindset. Why would I spend years praying for something if I’m not all in? I need to reach that point then aim for the target.

As such, when I pray I expect results because I’ve put in the work and the conditions are favorable. Standing is less difficult because it isn’t a hail mary and I don’t have regrets. It’s my responsibility to do what I can in the natural, address the spiritual where possible and leave the rest to Him.

~bella
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I do that as well and it helps me cope with life. But that form of prayer, I am not sure, helps me feel closer to God.

I noticed a shift for me. Instead of asking for help and protection I am leaning more into asking for the wherewithal to better copy with whatever is God's will for me, like it or not.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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Akita Suggagaki said:
I think the main point of spiritual direction is to help us be more mindful, more aware, more attentive to God's closeness and action in out lives. we so easily get distracted and caught up in our daily practical matters.
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That sounds useful.

I recall when I'd experience those "worship services" that made you feel really awesome and clear headed, and then how it felt when that went away.

I saw something good in that, so I set to have that all the time, it hurt a lot and took decades and it was worth it.

The one thing that really needs to be added to mindfulness (as it is commonly perceived) is discipline, if the serious work is put in, then thought life improves.
 
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bèlla

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Akita Suggagaki said:
I noticed a shift for me. Instead of asking for help and protection I am leaning more into asking for the wherewithal to better copy with whatever is God's will for me, like it or not.
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My prayers are an outgrowth of my love for Him and desire to do His will. I know the reason for my existence and its accomplishment is my focus. Everything is secondary and my life bears witness. I will always seek my best in light of the mission and address all impediments (human or otherwise) to its accomplishment.

That’s where we differ in our approach. We converse about things that concern Him and He encourages me to share my desires or provides a directive for prayer in that respect. I don’t rattle on about myself (not saying you do) or give lip service to others in my quiet time.

Parents treasure a child who obeys and wants to do the right thing. The one they don’t have to wrestle with or threaten. Whenever people mention their relationship with the Lord I wonder how they treat Him. Are they argumentative? Rebellious? Stubborn? Quick to fault others? Unreliable? Untrustworthy? Unsubmissive?

~bella
 
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Akita Suggagaki

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bèlla said:
Are they argumentative? Rebellious? Stubborn? Quick to fault others? Unreliable? Untrustworthy? Unsubmissive?
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Good questions for self reflection. We may not like the honest answers.
 
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Gregory Thompson

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bèlla said:
Whenever people mention their relationship with the Lord I wonder how they treat Him. Are they argumentative? Rebellious? Stubborn? Quick to fault others? Unreliable? Untrustworthy? Unsubmissive?
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Good questions to live in. Confess the sins before they become concepts, sometimes it helps, sometimes too solid to confess away.
 
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bèlla

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What do you do when you want a closer relationship with someone in the natural? The same principles apply. You can’t ignore them or talk about yourself all the time. You have to listen and be willing to meet their needs without expecting something in return. Give for the sake of doing so. That’s what endears others to us. Why would we do any less for the Lord?

~bella
 
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Akita Suggagaki

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Thomas Merton SPIRITUAL DIRECTION & MEDITATION

"The whole purpose of spiritual direction is to penetrate beneath the surface of a man’s life, to get behind the façade of conventional gestures and attitudes which he presents to the world, and to bring out his inner spiritual freedom, his inmost truth, which is what we call the likeness of Christ in his soul."

"A spiritual director is, then, one who helps another to recognize and to follow the inspirations of grace in his life, in order to arrive at the end to which God is leading him."

p. 9

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schoolofmary.org
 
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Gregory Thompson

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Akita Suggagaki said:
Thomas Merton SPIRITUAL DIRECTION & MEDITATION

"The whole purpose of spiritual direction is to penetrate beneath the surface of a man’s life, to get behind the façade of conventional gestures and attitudes which he presents to the world, and to bring out his inner spiritual freedom, his inmost truth, which is what we call the likeness of Christ in his soul."

"A spiritual director is, then, one who helps another to recognize and to follow the inspirations of grace in his life, in order to arrive at the end to which God is leading him."

p. 9

Loading…

schoolofmary.org
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I recall being introduced to this train of thought through a talk "truefaced." The idea of taking off masks is definitely the opposite of suffocating.

The downside of it for me was noticing how connected to all creation I was, which resulted in decades of pain.

Mostly managed now, but still occasionally the pain and sorrow of others is still projected onto my body.

God is communist like that.
 
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Akita Suggagaki

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Gregory Thompson said:
The downside of it for me was noticing how connected to all creation I was, which resulted in decades of pain.

Mostly managed now, but still occasionally the pain and sorrow of others is still projected onto my body.

God is communist like that.
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Solidarity.

It is true. The more we grow spiritually the more we sense our connections and the suffering that is no longer just out there.
 
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