What comes to your mind when you read the phrase “Divine Flow”? To me, flow implies a continuous, open movement, back and forth between two entities. If you are “in the zone” you are immersed and experience energy and delight. Things that flow merged and become one. Divine of course means of God or with God. I yearn for divine flow. Perhaps this deep desire within me is one reason why Brian Plachta’s new book attracted me.  Its title is Divine Flow: Reclaiming the Lost Art of Contemplation for Every Day and today this new book became available wherever books are sold. Plachta is a spiritual director and pastoral counselor with more than 30 years of experience Plachta writes, “Divine Flow is a modern way of describing the contemplative path—a lifestyle rooted in presence and inner stillness that nurtures and sustains a deep, personal relationship with God. It invites you to move from merely knowing about God to experiencing God—in the quiet, in the heart, and in the flow of … [Read more...]

My new favorite book/movie: Project Hail Mary. I am obsessed with this charming and inspiring story right now. I have read the book twice. Watched the movie only once so far but have been binging on movie clips of various scenes on YouTube. I am not much of a movie theater attender or a fiction reader so my reaction to this story has fascinated me. I love the very likeable characters. The inspiring and thoughtful themes. The laugh aloud humor. The smartness of this story. The friendship. The optimism even when times are rough. This movie/book has heart and somehow speaks straight into my soul. I have learned to notice when something resonates deeply within me. Pay attention when my soul is stirred – either in a positive or jarring way. My spiritual director reminded me to listen to my tears. Frederick Buechner wrote this about tears: “You never know what may cause them. The sight of the Atlantic Ocean can do it, or a piece of music, or a face you've never seen before. A pair … [Read more...]

I like the term Lamplighter. I learned this word from wisdom teacher mystic Cynthia Bourgeault who described the spiritual teachers in her life – both ancient and contemporary – as lamplighters, those lighting the way for her path. Isn’t that a cool way of describing people of faith? I love this word and have learned like electric wires lamplighters bringing light into my soul, I too have lamplighters, even a few high-tension ones that boost my spirit beyond the ordinary. Highly charged lamplighters for me are Henri Nouwen, Teresa of Avilla, and Barbara Brown Taylor. In 2003 in my first class to become a spiritual director, they encouraged us to choose (or did that person choose us?) one person to “walk” with for the next three years. We would read about that person, their story, and their spiritual journey. How did faith shape their life? How did they discern which way to go? What worked and what didn’t?  We read what others wrote about that person and if … [Read more...]

Gretchen Rubin just published a wonderful new book titled “Secrets of Adulthood – Simple Truths for our Complex Lives.” This is a collection of inspirational quotes that will delight your soul, make you think, and offer you wisdom and insight.  A book to consider as a gift for Mother’s Day, graduation or birthday. Here are some examples: So what would you write as YOUR Secrets for Adulthood to pass on to others. I think this could be a great practice for each of us to write out in our journal to leave as a legacy for our children. Or to have as a family or friend conversation around the table. This is the type of topic that wouldn’t be one and done either but one that would start and be added to over the years. Here are a few I initially started: Looking Up Just the physical act of lifting your chin and looking up, raises your spirit. But looking up also holds many spiritual lessons too. I find looking up throughout the day - to nature, to the heavens, outside of … [Read more...]