Spiritual Practice…Soundscape Journaling:
Grab a pen and some paper and go outside, day or night…list everything you hear.  (this is a great boredom buster for kids)  The wind, a crow, leaf scraping on the ground, dog barking, neighbor yelling to stop dog barking.  Listening well, takes practice.  You're list may get very long over time with practice. 

One unique story of listening, is a recent short film documentary called ‘Nightsongs’. made in collaboration with SALT Project.  (https://www.saltproject.org/nightsongs)   

"Eric Masterson is no ordinary birdwatcher. An immigrant himself from Ireland to New England, he's fallen in love with bird migration - and specifically with a little-known wonder of the world that happens every spring and fall, just above our heads, under cover of darkness. To avoid hawks and navigate by the stars, millions upon millions of birds migrate at night, skimming over our rooftops while we sleep. To experience this invisible wonder, Masterson says, we have to learn to "see with our ears."   Celebrating both this avian achievement and human devotion to it.  "Nightsongs" is a meditation on the art of seeing - and treasuring - what cannot be seen but only experienced at night."

I have been amazed at how the soundscape of my neighborhood has changed since social distancing began.   Especially at night.   Less traffic.  Less airplanes.  More children.  More nature…frogs, coyotes, rain, wind, stars, silence. 
At night is when the earth breathes and the trees sleep.
We all are taking time to reset and find the goodness in the solitude we are experiencing. 
The earth if forgiving and is rejuvenating itself. 
Be aware.  See with your ears.  

​Enjoy viewing "Nightsongs" produced by SALT Project

This week we hear the story of Jesus appearing to his disciples and of Thomas who needed room to be curious. breathe and receive the Holy Spirit.   (The Gospel of John 20:19-29 NRSV)

Each of us needs a little breathing room. Time to be present with our questions and curiosities.  Time to be grounded in our senses and prepare to receive the Holy Spirit.  Everyone can practice the
5 Senses Prayer at any moment, where ever you are.   This prayer practice helps us to feel grounded. It can help deescalate our emotions when they are on high or out of control.  Use it to feel in tune with creation and the present moment.  Try it, then read on about Thomas' experience. 

The 5 Senses Prayer Practice. 
First take time to center you self. Sit or stand comfortably, and take a few deep breathes.  
Now, take notice of...
5 Things you can see  (Are you indoors or outdoors?  What's around you?)
4 Things you can feel  (The chair under you?  Grass between your toes?)
3 Things you can hear  (Is there music?  Birds?  Your own heartbeat?)
2 Things you can smell (Fabric softener?  Perfume? )
1 Thing you can taste   (Your toothpaste?  Your morning coffee?)

Children rely on their senses to understand what is real.  Their reality is what they can see, touch, hear, smell, or taste.  Children are still open to wonder and imagination, and can be quite passionate about what they believe or don’t believe; what is real and what is impossible.  On this first Sunday after Easter, some children may be wondering what really happened in the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Children may connect with Thomas in his questions and his desire to see things for himself. As they grow, children learn and understand that someone’s presence can still be experienced even after that person has left the room or has died as they remember special times and memories they had together. These experiences help them understand the way in which Jesus too is also with them.

When Jesus appeared, Thomas wanted to rely on his senses. The Disciples allowed Thomas some breathing room, and allowed him to live with his questions and curiosities.  Thomas wanted proof that Jesus was alive.  His quest was not just intellectual (in his head), it was experiential and spiritual (in his heart).  He wanted to see Jesus, feel his breath, and touch his body.  He wanted feel the real presence of Jesus, not just talk about it.  When Jesus returns to the group, Thomas is amazed and transformed, and he can breathe easier and be open to experiencing the Holy Spirit.

Be like Thomas.  Be curious.  Ask questions.  Be present.  Be aware.  Take time to breathe. 
​Welcome the Holy Spirit. 

Thank you to RBCC Youth who helped create a playful video for Easter Worship.  (Below)
It reminds us that Jesus provides us hope that we can rise up from life's crucifying experiences.  During this time and these days of forced retreat, we can take time to make a plan for how we will each walk back into life.   Until then, practice good self care, so that when the time comes, you to can fling open the door (roll away your stone), drop the mask (lift the shroud), and walk a back into living. 
Help Hint: give yourself a check-up a few times each day.  
Drinking your water?
Unclenching your jaw?
Taking time for a breath prayer?
Healthy Snack?
Meds?
Stretch?
Turn off the news?
Voice in your head being kind to you?
Take a recess for ten minutes?
Do something to connect with someone you like?
Breathe some fresh air?

Inter-generational Time 04/05/2020

Earlier this week, I experienced a beautiful, powerful and unifying noise.  It was a hail storm.  For about a minute the hail poured down…beautiful and powerful and loud!  Like any 21st century family, we ran to the door and flung it open to listen, to watch, and share in the experience.  (and of course, record it for social media.)
As we watched from our porch, the neighbor kids were watching from their porch across the street. They too were experiencing the powerful outburst which got them whooping in glee and their whooping made us laugh with them.  Although we were physically distanced apart, we shared a moment together.  It was beautiful, powerful, unifying and noisy.
Palm Sunday, Jesus’s peaceful protest riding into town on a humble donkey to contrast the power of the Empire’s mighty show, was an experience shared together.  Listen to it in your mind.  The clip clop of donkey hooves. The sound of a crowd squeeze tightly together. The rustling of palm leaves as they waved. The muffling sound of cloaks thrown to the ground. The clapping of hands.  The shouts of Hosanna, Save us! 
Like the opening poem, I shared by Shel Silverstein, it was an ‘Ourchestra’ of sounds. The beautiful, powerful, unifying and noisy sound of hopeful people. I think the poem and that parade captures the essence of the young and hopeful at heart.  Joyous exuberance, a can-do spirit, an irrepressible ability to be creative. It is a reminder that we all have a voice–even now, that we can all make a beautiful powerful noise of some sort and make some kind of difference– regardless of what little we think we have to offer.  
So, this Palm Sunday, where will you parade?  In your home, your yard, your neighborhood sidewalk, social media? 
What will you be shouting?  Hosanna! Save us!  Help us!  Love us!  Give me Peace!  I need patience!
What do you need to hear?   I see you!  I hear you!  You are not forgotten!  You are doing the best you can!  Peace be with you! 
It's Palm Sunday!  Get up and make some noise.  What does the Empire need to hear?  What does the crowd have to say?  Say it in shouts, draw it in side walk chalk, put in the window, draw it on a protest sign. But do it today!  Be visible, be beautiful, be noisy!  Be part of the 'Ourchestra'!  Amen!  

'OURCHESTRA' by Shel Silverstein
So you haven’t got a drum, just beat your belly.
So I haven’t got a horn–I’ll play my nose.
So we haven’t any cymbals–
We’ll just slap our hands together,
And though there may be orchestras
That sound a little better
With their fancy shiny instruments
That cost an awful lot–
Hey, we’re making music twice as good
By playing what we’ve got!

'Ourchestra' words by Shel Silverstein from 'Where the Sidewalk Ends, the Poems and Drawings of Shel Sliverstein.  Harper-Collins Publishers, 1974