Hmmmm... I'm writing this a day late. It's really Friday - but I wanted an entry for Thursday this week, too. Because I'm a nutcase... My week got so busy and overwhelming this week that I just didn't get to the blog. So, I'm making up for it today.
For work, I've been spending a lot of time learning about and gathering resources about Prayer this week. It's been a lot of fun and very interesting. One of those resources is MethodX - a website sponsered by Upper Room Ministries. On their page about Prayer Methods, there is a link to a "Spiritual Type" test. It's mostly just for fun, but tells you a little bit about who you are and how you live spiritually. I took it today, and my result was that I was a "Mystic." Oooooo.... Here's the summary:
"You are a Mystic, known for your imaginative, intuitive spirituality. You value peace, harmony, and inner silence. Mystics are nurtured by walking alone in the woods or sitting quietly with a trusted friend. You may also enjoy poetry, meditation, wordless prayer, candles, art, books, and anything else that helps you connect with God.
Mystics experience God best through rich images and symbols. You are contemplative, introspective, intuitive, and focused on an inner world as real to you as the exterior one. Hearing from God is more important to you than speaking to God. Others may attribute human characteristics to God, but you see God as ineffable, unnamable, and more vast than any known category. You are intrigued by God's mystery.
Mystics want to inspire and persuade others, and need to live lives of significance. At times you push the envelope of spirituality, helping the rest of us imagine who we might become if we followed your lead.
Sometimes you may feel a bit guilty about your need for solitude and silence. If so, you probably have bought into the American myth that says being alone and doing nothing is lazy, antisocial, and unproductive. Stop it -- now. Give yourself permission to retreat and be alone. It's essential for your well-being.
On the other hand, don't get so carried away retreating that you become a recluse. That only deprives the world of your gifts and deprives you of the lessons that come from being with others. Some Mystics may have a true vocation for solitary prayer, but the rest of you need to alternate retreat time with involvement and interaction.
Famous Mystics: Thomas Merton, Enya, John (the Gospel writer), Brother Lawrence (Practicing the Presence of God), Desert mothers and fathers, Charlie Brown, Sister Wendy, Phoebe Buffay, Julian of Norwich, Luke, Anthony de Mello, The Who "
After this busy week... That speaks more truth than I care to recognize! Ha ha ha. (I just re-read it... It's a little eerie how "right on" some of it is!) And I just began reading a bunch of Thomas Merton and Brother Lawrence... Weird.
If you take the test - I'd love to hear your results!
Things I am thankful for today:
1. Getting LOTS of work done today!
2. Lunch from Trader Joe's - sushi and organic yogurt. Yum.
3. Fresh, new, snow falling.
4. Open Sanctuary. So peaceful. Much needed.
5. Bible Study - we took time to examine our faith journeys and talk about some of the highlights. Very cool discussion!
6. Brooke brushing the snow off my car and scraping my windows while I closed up the church. So nice!
7. Coming home to yellow roses and a post-it saying "Let the world wag. Here we take our ease." Deep breath. The week is over.
8. The hubby went grocery shopping. Thank goodness.
9. The dog's giddiness when I get home. Playing with EVERY one of her toys!
10. A peanut butter sandwich at 11pm. (After realizing I forgot to eat dinner - it tasted WONDERFUL!)
invisible apple cake
1 day ago
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3 comments:
I am a Sage. I pretty much agree with everything but this part: "You thrive on activity and gatherings of people, such as study groups. Sages on retreat likely would fill every day with planned activities, leaving little time for silence or solitude." I never joined a study group in school and I totally enjoy solitude...quiet walks by myself, reading. I am not an overtly "active" person.
The rest I have to agree with:
"You are a Sage, characterized by a thinking or head spirituality. You value responsibility, logic, and order. Maybe that's why you were voted "Most Dependable" by your high school classmates. Structure and organization are important to you. What would the world be like without you? Chaos, that's what! Your favorite words include should, ought, and be prepared. What makes you feel warm and fuzzy? Like Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof it's tradition! tradition! tradition!
We need Sages for your clear thinking and orderly ways. You pay attention to details that others overlook. Sages make contributions to education, publishing, and theology. You often are the ones who feel a duty to serve, give, care, and share with the rest of us.
On the other hand, sometimes you seem unfeeling, too intellectual, or dry. Can you say "dogmatic"? You may need to experience the freedom of breaking a rule or two every now and then. God's grace covers Sages too, you know!"
I'm trying not to worry that Tiger Woods is a Sage. :)
Famous Sages:
Mr. Spock | Dilbert | Elrond
Dietrich Bonhoeffer | Maya Angelou | Linus (Peanuts)Yoda (Star Wars) | Andy Griffith | Mr. Miyagi
The Buddha | Rodin's The Thinker | Moses Ross Geller | Matthew (the Gospel writer) | Tiger Woods
Interesting and fun to think about!
I am a mystic... I totally relate to most of the description... I need to rethink some of it!
What an interesting idea. I loved reading about the mystic and relate to the parts about a need for solitude.
You've got to stop mentioning open sanctuary...I want to stop by and its not so convenient from NYC! ;)
Have a great week Meg!
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