Growing up, I never understood why I couldn't attend church with my friend, MaryBeth. She was Catholic, we were Lutheran, what could possibly be the difference? God is God, I thought. I felt the same frustration when it was made clear to me that I couldn't go to temple with my classmate, Eddie. He was Jewish. Adding to the confusion, my paternal grandmother was Congregational, my maternal grandparents were Methodist, and I sometimes attended church with them. I truly didn't understand what the problem was—worship was worship. 

Even as a child, my heart longed to experience the Divine wherever it could be found, whether in nature or in man-made structures dedicated to the holy. This longing was never not there; it was something that lived in me from my earliest memory.  

Finally, my wish granting day came. One Saturday during youth group we were told by our intern (Bob M, in residence at our church to become a pastor) that we should get outside the walls of our own church to see how other people experienced God. "God is much bigger than the God you know in this building," he said.

So on a Sunday morning a few weeks later, we found ourselves climbing aboard a bus headed toward First AME, a black church in our community where people joyously sang and danced out their devotion to God. Their prayers were loud, tearful and passionate. "Praise God from whom all blessings flow" took on an entirely new meaning  for me that day.  I found the experience mesmerizing, magical. And though I sat demurely and quietly with the rest of my group in the last pew, I felt as if my soul had been set free—as free as the white doves I imagined flying above the heads of the worshippers. Surely, this was heaven. Such joy! Such love!

My prayers to meet the Divine in other holy houses had finally been answered, my interspiritual journey had officially begun. There have been many more visits to similar places since then: Hindu, Buddhist and Bahai temples, Jewish synagogues, Catholic cathedrals, and Muslim prayer halls. Temples in nature too. In time, I became a teacher of World Religions, and one of my priorities was to take my students to visit other holy houses, and to meet with leaders of various traditions for intimate conversation so we could open our minds and hearts to one another. And to the Divine communally. 

There is a poem that holds my interspiritual heart. Each time I read it, I experience a deep sigh of relief and peace moves through my body. It affirms the essence of what I know to be true. 

1. Does my story have resonance with yours?
2. What is your experience of the Sacred in various holy houses?

When I started this blog, I had intended to write weekly. That was in the summer, my "less busy" work time. Then September came, students showed up for a new year of learning, and seekers returned to spiritual direction to get their spiritual lives back on track. In September I also had the great good fortune to serve as a spiritual director for "Conspire"—the annual conference of the Center for Action in Contemplation founded by Fr. Richard Rohr. After that, more teaching intensives, as well as a  "Board Retreat" for Spiritual Directors International, on whose Council I serve. Now it's time to catch my breath ... 

In truth, for me, I don't ever catch my breath because I never lose it. Breath is always here, a sacred touchpoint, and it's simply up to me to connect with it--rest into it—which is my primary spiritual practice. This resting into the breath is a path of "quieting," a term used by my lovely friend, Ann, who named it as one of her spiritual practices too. Quieting is a method, a path, and also a quality of being we can carry forth into the world. It is a path to the Divine and where the One dwells. At least it is for me ... so quieting is primary on my path of devotion. 

This fall when I was quite busy with my work, I'd try to get a daily walk in if I could. I'd go to a place of beauty near my home, often near water, and just walk. No earbuds to fill up the quiet with noise. Just me--quieting—breathing and being, walking and noticing, savoring and communing. 

The quiet to me is a balm, an oasis in a too busy world, and relief from my ever-busy planning mind. The quiet is comforting for my over-active nervous system as an empath. The quiet is my entryway to a sacred space of deep knowing that I am beloved and I am enough. And this is where the Divine meets me. I call it my "Temple of Quietness." 

Sometimes when I walk I take photos of the temple of the day. I do this to create a memory for myself so on the days I'm unable to walk, I can attune myself to it, and step into quietness once again. This summer while on a 5-day silent retreat, I started creating short, 30-second videos from my walks in these sacred spaces. Just 30 seconds, because that's sufficient time to take 3 complete breaths—a profoundly centering and restorative practice. 

Today, with the help of one of my Temple of Quietness videos, perhaps you too can take 3 complete breaths and drop into the exquisite energy of quietness. May restoration and ease be yours. 

• What role does quiet play in your spiritual life?
• How do you uniquely access it? 
• Do you have your own Temples of Quietness? 

One of my earliest memories of the deep Alrightness of Life (God?) was through light. As a toddler I was drawn to sunlight coming through the living room window of my childhood home. The beams would shine through the pane, creating a bright, warm space on the carpet. I would lie down directly in the beam, close my eyes, and let myself be bathed in its warmth. Eyes open, I'd watch the dust motes dance through its gossamer path. 

What did I feel? 
Safety and comfort.
Awe and wonder.
A sense of the profound perfection of things.
A cosmic hug, deep rest.

I didn't have words for this experience at the time. I only knew it as how I felt. I felt held. By Something. Something greater than a simple sunbeam; an expression of Pure Beingness. 

I loved this experience and would return to it again and again even as I grew older. My sense today is that it was a type of transcendent experience, one that drew me into the heart of the Universe in a loving way. And into knowing.

Knowing what connected me to Something greater than myself and trusting it. Following its lead and surrendering into it. 

I tend to live my life this way. I listen deeply with my body to recognize That which offers comfort and safety. These initial sensations open me to More—to deep peace, then to heart expansion, ultimately resting in Divine Love for everything and everyone.

​Following the path of sunbeams.

• What was your first experience of "Connection"?
• How do you recognize the Sacred?
• How do you know that which is Real for you? 

In focusing this blog on Devotion, I sense some readers might be troubled by the word itself, thinking it to be a reflection of religiousness or piety. 

My husband, in fact, tried to talk me out of using the word at all. He felt it could have a negative effect on people because it did for him. "Devotion" reminded him of his religious upbringing which was rigid and, at times, even harsh. 

Dear Friends, 
As you may or may not know, my spiritual memoir, Your Truest Self, was published in 2008 by Sorin Books. Over the years, many people have asked me, 'Will there be a Part II?' 'What's happened to you spiritually since 2008?' The answer to these questions could fill the pages of a lengthy book. For now, I'm content to begin the process of offering some answers here, while also creating a space for you to share your unfolding spiritual journey. 

The spiritual journey is not a static one. If we're listening deeply and being guided by the still small voice within, and/or "the god of our understanding," our journey will be vibrantly alive, ever changing to meet life's challenges. If authentic, it will deepen us as human beings and open us to Mystery. 

Many people today report feeling dissatisfied with their religious institutions and how they have been operating over the years. As a result, some are looking elsewhere, seeking out organizations or communities that "walk their talk"; feel more inclusive and ethical. Additionally, a large percentage of today's seekers have not been raised within a specific religious tradition at all, while others hail from multiply religious (interfaith) families. We are learning that there are a myriad of ways to experience the Sacred. No one path fits all. 

The Pew Foundation, which has been surveying the religious and spiritual lives of people in the U.S. for many years, has validated this, documenting how more individuals than ever are choosing to step outside traditional churches, temples and mosques to experience the Divine on their own terms. Over 50% of millennials, for example, claim to be religiously unaffiliated. However, as I have come to know, this doesn't mean they are not drawn to the spiritual journey, for many certainly are. 

If you are one of an increasing number of individuals worldwide who are drawn to an expanded spirituality, meeting the Sacred on your own terms, this space might be for you. If you are someone who still has your feet and heart planted in a religious tradition, but find yourself open to the teachings of other traditions, you too are welcome here. And if by circumstance you are someone who isn't sure where you are, or what to believe, who or what to include in your devotional practice, I hope this space will be an oasis of new understandings for you.  

I have come to believe that all genuine (wisdom and compassion-based) paths can lead to God*, IF we allow ourselves to be transformed by the path.  My own path is no exception. I have written about this HERE and invite you to see if there is something in my story that resonates with your own spiritual unfolding.

What I hope to share in this space are topics brought forth in the article, as well as threads of inquiry like these:

How do we walk a spiritual path with authenticity today? How do we craft a spiritual life that is rich, deep, and meaningful? How do we know what is right and true for us? How do we give ourselves permission to live the truth of what we find and not fear what others might think, say or do? What can we uniquely devote ourselves to spiritually so we can be of service in the world?

Let the conversation begin and our stories unfold. I thank you for your entrustment reading and commenting** here. I look forward to this journey with you. Namaste', my friend, from the depths of my heart. Truly. 

With metta, 
Jan

* I use the term, the "Sacred," to denote our inter-cultural/interspiritual understanding of ultimate reality, God, presence, the All, Spirit, Brahman, Essence, etc. This encompasses, in my view, any term each of us might use to describe our knowing of a transcendent experience of life and true self. We each must find our unique way of understanding and living into this.

**To maintain a safe and compassionate space, all comments will be approved before posted.