I try to write a post once a week that relates to the monthly topic of the retreat.  This month’s retreat topic is prayer.  The retreat is next weekend and I haven’t written a single post on prayer.   Ya know why?  Because I am not feeling it.

In preparation for the retreat I have been really putting myself  “in prayer”…setting intentional time aside to quiet down, go inside, shut up, listen.  I have meditated on a phrase, a word, and an image.  I end up thinking, a lot.  I think about how pathetically dirty the windows are.  I think about how I’m cold.   And kind of hungry.  I go find a book and page through it, looking for something to provoke a powerful experience of prayer.  I light a candle for ambiance.  I breathe deep.  I say a prayer that is memorized, like the Lord’s Prayer.

Hello?  Bueller?? Bueller?? Bueller??

I kind of feel like I’m trying to wake God up.  Or maybe God is out having this amaaaazing experience with a really fascinating, smart, and passionately faithfully person.  Someone who has an incredible connection with God.

But, I keep showing up.  I know that stopping praying because I don’t feel connected with God is kind of like not doing yoga because you are not flexible.  Or not eating because you are too hungry.  It doesn’t make sense.  If I want to know that divine connection, I need to show up again and again. Even when and maybe especially when I don’t have an amaaaazing experience.

So, there you go.  The next Daily Bread Yoga retreat is on Saturday, March 23rd, 9a.m.-noon, at Philo Presbyterian, and it will be about prayer.  We will turn that prayer rock over and over, looking at it in as many ways as we can.  And we will do it – pray- in some different ways that will hopefully, LORD WILLING :),  wake up the sleeping Spirit in me too.   And we will do enough yoga to hopefully settle your (my)  busy mind, so you can get a break from thinking about how you need to clean your house, and actually get into a quiet space to listen and rest.  But, no matter what, the best practice and learning of the day is really just Showing Up.  I hope you will show up.  Please invite your friends & family.  If you have any questions or concerns, write me.  You can also write me at rachelbguennewig@gmail.com

peace on your head,

Rachel