Fulfill the reality that the glory of God is the human fully alive. "Reverend Vennard is fearlessly awake to the wild dance of life. Rather than sleeping through life, she awakens to it. Rather than escaping from reality, she embraces it. Rather than distracting herself with a life to come, she dares to live the life that is. And she wants you to do all this as well. Read this book. Live this book. Wake up." —from the Foreword In a culture enthralled with technology, striving and speed, people of many faith traditions and no faith tradition long to slow down, pay attention and wake up to the present moment. They want help in realizing their hope that they can become more truly alive. This engaging and highly readable book offers you guidance for the journey. Sharing stories from her personal life as a spiritual seeker and from her professional career as a retreat leader, spiritual director and teacher, Reverend Jane Vennard illustrates the joys and frustrations of spiritual practice, offers insights from various religious traditions, and provides step-by-step exercises and meditations to practice: Caring for the body • Rest • Silence Solitude • Letting go • Community • Hospitality • Service • Living gratefully

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Rami Shapiro xiii Introduction xv Expanding Our Understanding of Prayer and Spiritual Practice xvi Defining Terms xvi Becoming Fully Alive xviii Examining Our Practices xix On Cushion, Off Cushion xx A Variety of Practices xxi 1. The Practice of Caring for Your Body Finding New Images, Deep Wisdom, and Blessings 1 Body Image: Experiencing Your Body as a Gift 3 Befriending Your Body 5 Embodied Wisdom 7 Healing the Divide 10 How Are You Called to Practice? 11 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 13 Writing a Letter to Your Body 13 Body Blessing 14 2. The Practice of Rest Restoring Your Energy, Your Creativity, and Your Spirit 15 Cultural Perceptions of Resting 16 Restful Activities 19 Biblical Call to Rest 21 Four Steps of the Creative Process 23 Sabbath Rest 24 How Are You Called to Practice? 26 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 27 Grateful Breathing 27 Resting While You Walk 28 3. The Practice of Silence Finding Spaciousness, Stillness, and Inner Peace 29 Discovering Well-Being in Quiet Places 30 Listening to Ourselves and Beyond Ourselves 31 Honoring Effortless Silence 34 Practicing Silence in a Supportive Community 35 Exploring the Shadow Side of Silence 36 Be Still and Know That I Am God 39 How Are You Called to Practice? 41 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 43 A Variety of Meditation and Contemplative Prayer Practices 43 Breath Counting 43 Centering Prayer 44 True Meditation 45 4. The Practice of Solitude Making Friends with Yourself 47 Facing the Dragon of Loneliness 50 Early Experiences of Being Alone: Avoided or Encouraged? 52 The Journey Is the Destination: Walking Nowhere Alone 55 The Capacity to Be Alone: Self-Discovery, Creativity, and Intimacy 57 Silence and Solitude Together: A Furnace of Transformation 60 How Are You Called to Practice? 62 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 63 Exploring Your Experiences of Loneliness 63 Walking Meditation: Slowly Going Nowhere 64 5. The Practice of Letting Go Releasing Your Attachments, Your Past, and Your Future 67 Letting Go of Material Things 68 Fasting: Making Space for the Sacred 70 Forgiveness: Letting Go of Hurts and Leaving the Past Behind 72 Nonattachment: Letting Go of the Outcome 75 Accepting the Life That Awaits Us 78 How Are You Called to Practice? 81 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 82 The Courage to Forgive 82 Dancing Nonattachment 83 6. The Practice of Community Discovering Support, Encouragement, and Interdependence 85 The Rhythm of Contemplative, Communal, and Missional Spiritual Practices 87 Singing Together We Become the Music 89 Dancing, Moving, and Playing Together 91 Making Music Together: Surrendering to the Whole 93 Spiritual Direction 96 How Are You Called to Practice? 98 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 100 My Communal Spiritual Practice: Examining Its History and Discovering Its Future 100 Playful Body Sculpting and Creative Naming 101 7. The Practice of Hospitality Inviting, Welcoming, and Nurturing the Stranger 103 The Three Movements of Hospitality 104 Hospitality: A Two-Way Street 107 Practicing Communal Hospitality: Blessings and Challenges 109 Welcoming the Stranger Within 112 Cultivating the Hospitable Heart 114 How Are You Called to Practice? 115 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 116 Welcoming the Stranger Within 116 The Welcoming Prayer 118 8. The Practice of Service Cultivating Generosity, Kindness, and Joy 121 Hidden Service: The Power of Practices That No One Notices 125 The Practice of Discernment: Deciding Who, Where, and How to Serve 131 Bearing Witness: No Need to Fix Anything 134 Many Hands Make Light Work: Practicing Service in Community 135 Responding to the Needs of Mother Earth 138 How Are You Called to Practice? 138 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 140 Letting the Mud Settle and Becoming Still 140 Listening with an Open Heart—Including Silence in the Conversation 142 9. The Fruits of Practice Living Gratefully, Humbly, and Compassionately 145 The Experience of Living Gratefully 149 Surprise Is the Wisdom of a Grateful Heart 151 Humility—the Forgotten Virtue 152 The Gracious Gift of Humility 154 Cultivating Humble Hearts 155 Discovering the Depth of Your Compassion 157 The Courage to See, the Courage to Feel, and the Courage to Act 159 How Are You Called to Practice? 162 Guidelines for More Extended Practice 163 Keeping a Gratitude Journal 163 Discovering Your Image of Humility 164 Knowledge of the Stranger Deepens Compassion 165 Acknowledgments 167 Notes 169 Suggestions for Further Reading 175 Index of Practices 179