Contemplative Curiosity: Mary Oliver on Praying

READING POETRY AS SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

A Spacious Spiritual Practice

For this practice, settle into your space for 10-ish minutes of presence. Let’s connect to the present moment by noticing what comes up as we read this selection. We aren’t approaching these words with the intention of an outcome, though it’s possible something will stick with us. This invitation is to enter in and notice what it stirs in you.

Practice Instructions (use them or skip them!):

• What is it like around you in this moment? What is it like inside?

• Read the following quote (either silently or aloud) 1-2 times. Imagine the words being poured out into your hands. See if a couple of words linger that you can turn toward with curiosity.

• What do you notice? Are there words or phrases that linger? Or perhaps you have a felt sense of the entire quote.

• Read the quote again.

• What do you wonder? As you hold what you noticed, or the entire quote, is there a question that arises in you? Is there a cascade of questions? Sometimes writing these down helps us gently excavate our inner landscape.

• Bookmark it. Is there a word, phrase, or question you’d like to carry with you (in a journal, to explore in a conversation with a friend, to spiritual direction)?

• Savoring & Appreciation. You took some moments to be present. This was the invitation. Whether or not you experienced something that sticks with you, consider savoring the experience.

Praying
by Mary Oliver

It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot,
or a few small stones;
just pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence
in which another voice may speak.

Contemplate the image. You may try a similar exercise with the image above. What do you notice? What do you wonder? Are you drawn to the image? Do you resist it?

Would you like some company or gentle guidance as you listen for wisdom and explore new ways of engaging with your soul? Kirsten offers spacious accompaniment and trauma-informed spiritual direction. I’d love to hear what’s stirring in you and meet with you for a free exploration session.