On living as a contemplative in this world

10/6/20

Dear friend,

Over the last six months, I've felt destabilized in many ways, and I'm guessing you have too.

• Our world was introduced to a pandemic none of us had any inkling was coming this time last year, and it has brought to a halt all our usual ways of life and called into question everything about the future.
  
  

• The deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd in the spring served as flashpoints for the racial reckoning that's needed to happen in the States since its inception, igniting an increased commitment to racial justice among scores of individuals but ushering forth a surge of counter-protests to these efforts and ideals.
  
  

• Wildfires devastated Central and Northern California for weeks before slipping further up and down the West Coast and engulfing Oregon and Washington in flames and smoke, bringing to the forefront of our minds the continued emergency of climate change.
  
  

• An election season in the States has thrust Americans into ever-deepening dismay, frustration, fear, shock, paralysis, and anger, creating greater polarities between parties and people and sowing increased confusion and doubt in the political system.

These are just a few of the major realities we've faced in the last six months. None of them are new to you or me, and there is certainly more we could add to this list.

These long months have caused many of us to take stock of our lives—who we are, what we value, where we want to spend our time and attention and energy, and the kind of world we want to live in and continue to create.

One of the great reclaimings for me in these months has been my identity as a contemplative woman.

I am someone committed to:

• Moving at the speed of soul

• Noticing invitations

• Exercising discernment

• Living with intention

• Respecting the dignity and light in every person

Perhaps this describes you too.

If so, welcome to the new era of this newsletter. In each letter, we'll be exploring what it means to live as a contemplative in this world and to bring a contemplative light to the contribution that's ours to offer, whatever our context may be.

Do you identify as a contemplative? How has this shown up for you in the realities of these last months? What struggles do you face as someone who carries a contemplative light in this world?

I'd love to hear from you. Let's make this journey collaborative.

Yours at the speed of soul,
Christianne