I am the new voice on the Homebrewed Christianity CultureCast.  Here it is, check it out:

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christianpiatt/2015/02/broken-covenants-killing-rock-stars-and-cask-strength-fears/

This is an old blog that I used for a project when I was in college.  I'm resurrecting it and dipping my toe into the blogging habit.  For now, don't expect graphics or a good looking page.  I'm just gonna pay attention to writing the words.  Later on maybe I'll make it look nice.

Fast for the Children

The church that I've been volunteering at for my Individual Learning Contract is sponsoring a 24 hour fast, which starts tomorrow at sundown.  The only time I've ever fasted for 24 hours intentionally was for a colonoscopy.  I'm going to participate in this fast more intentionally, and prayerfully, as spiritual practice.  I will check in later and report how it felt.

Also, I've been working on being more prayerful and intentional with my prayers.  It is working, I must admit that, but not as well as I'd visualized.  Starting new habits is hard work!

from my queries, and from my readings, here's a raw unedited list of things that people do for spiritual practice.  comments or additional suggestions are encouraged.

pilgrimage

setting intention in a spiritual way

prayers of gratitude

journaling

silent reflection

looking at the stars

sacred reading (lectio divina)

labyrinth

discipline

sabbatical

giving

grieving

deep listening

experiencing nature

meditation

prayers of praise

non violent communication

quality time with family/friends

deep breathing/counting breaths

honesty

music

contemplation

participation in a support group

study

charity

tithing

accepting help/complements gracefully

composting/recyling/reusing

sacred space in the home (altar)

marriage

simple living

cooking

repentance/asking for forgiveness/apologizing/making amends/accountability

building a theology

writing out a written "moral inventory"

prayers of petition, expressing hopes and desires, asking for things for self

good ham sandwich or excellent golf shot

penitence

worship service at church/temple/mosque/etc

fasting

non-violence

golf

spiritual direction/mentoring

gratitude list

striving for balance

upright posture

blessings/prayers of blessing

social justice action

commitment

chanting

centering prayer

giving thanks at specific times, for instance saying a prayer/grace at dinner

prayers for forgiveness

The Rosary

vegetarianism / mindful eating

parenting

recitation

hunting

dance

Divine Mercy Chaplet

collect sacred objects

prayer beads or other meditation by hand

stations of the cross

prayers of intercession, asking for help for someone else

silent retreat

bodily prayers (sign of the cross/kneeling/prostration/spreading the palms)

rote prayers

taking Communion

make art (sculpting, painting, quilting, etc etc)

living according to a belief system/theology

silence

practicing mindfulness

movement/physical spirituality (yoga, tai chi, aikido, martial arts, exercise, etc)

seeking contentment

Mass

keeping the sabbath / a day of rest

any kind of spiritual retreat

meditative walking

detachment from attachment

self reflection

gardening

service

living by a rule of life

Report on my attempts to pray more often and more intentionally:

I've been doing it, but not as well as I had hoped.  I am trying hard at keeping on and getting better at it, rather than just sliding back into old habits.

I want to add some daily meditation to the picture.

Do you pray or meditate?  I would love it if you would share some of your experience about that?  How did you develop your practice, and how does it affect your life?

ONE EXPLANATION ABOUT WHY I'M SO INTERESTED IN SPIRITUAL PRACTICE:

I believe that thinking and doing (belief and action) have a complicated relationship.  In this culture at this time, we tend to think that action springs from belief.  We say that our actions are informed by intention, which is formed through belief.  And I do think it is true quite often - we often decide what to do based on what we believe.  But we also often just act without thinking, or find ourselves doing things that are not consistent with our beliefs.

As an alternative to thinking our way into action, spiritual practice is a way to act our way into a new way of thinking.  Practitioners have always known this, and if you ask a disciplined practitioner, you'll nearly always get some form of this explanation, in addition to the rest of her explanation, which will vary depending on the practice.

I want to state for the record that I will eventually start talking more about my beliefs as they relate to spiritual practice, by the end of February.  But right now I'm trying to collect information and ideas, and really just want to focus on practice, rather than the beliefs that might be attached to that practice, or not.