Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Romans 8:26
The words printed here are concepts. You must go through the experiences. Saint Augustine
Week 1 – Lectio Divina
Be still and know that I am God. Psalms 46:10
- Read The Dance of Life, pp 39-67, a few devotions a day
- Daily Lectio Divina for 20 minutes. Choose a different devotion each day from Stage I: Setting the Compass and Stage 2: Dispelling the Darkness
- Do one activity mindfully every day all week. Pick an activity you already do daily.
- Notice self-judgments
Week 2 – Stories We Tell
Therefore I tell you, do
not worry about your life. Matthew 6:25
- Read The Dance of Life, pp 69-87, a few devotions a day
- Daily Lectio Divina for 20 minutes. Choose a different devotion each day from Stage 3: Growing through Anxiety
- Do one activity mindfully every day all week. Pick an activity you already do daily.
- Notice pleasurable moments
Week 3 – Understanding Emotions
“Jesus wept.”John
11:35
- Read The Dance of Life, pp 91-130, a few devotions a day
- Daily Lectio Divina for 20 minutes. Choose a different devotion each day from Stage 4: Embracing Loneliness and Stage 5: Emotional Hurdles
- Do two activities mindfully every day all week. Choose activities you would do anyway.
- Notice your primary emotions. If you notice yourself shifting into secondary emotions, notice and ask yourself “what is in front of me to do in this moment?” Be prepared to share an example
Week 4
– Our Distorted Thoughts
All day long I
have held out my hands to an obstinate people,who walk in ways not good, pursuing their own distorted thoughts. Isaiah 65:2
- Read The Dance of Life, pp 133-152, a few devotions a day
- Daily Lectio Divina for 20 minutes. Choose a different devotion each day from Stage 6: Spiritual Disorientation
- Do two activities mindfully every day all week. Choose activities you would do anyway.
- Notice a different cognitive distortion each day
Lesson 5: Accepting “what is”
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9
- Read The Dance of Life, pp 155-177, a few devotions a day
- Daily Lectio Divina for 20 minutes. Choose a different devotion each day from Stage 7: Integrating the Self
- Do two activities mindfully every day all week. Choose activities you would do anyway.
- Notice unrealistic expectations and irrational beliefs
Lesson 6: Who Am I?
“Truly, truly, I say to you … I am. John 8:58
- Read The Dance of Life, pp 181-202, a few devotions a day
- Daily Lectio Divina for 20 minutes. Choose a different devotion each day from Stage 8: Befriending Death
- Do three activities mindfully every day all week. Choose activities you would do anyway.
- Notice I am thoughts that define or limit you
Retreat Morning – Letting Go & Forgiveness
“they
may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never
understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!” Mark
4:12
Retreat Afternoon – Loving Kindness & Self-Compassion
‘You
shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Mark 12:31
Week 7: Turning the Mind
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as
Christ Jesus: Philippians 2:5
- Read The Dance of Life, pp 205-218, a few devotions a day
- Daily Lectio Divina for 20 minutes. Choose a different devotion each day from Stage 9: Arriving Home
- Do three activities mindfully every day all week. Choose activities you would do anyway.
- Notice moments when you are living in the spirit
Week 8 – Living Mindfully
in Christ
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe
yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and
patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a
grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all
these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect
unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of
one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Colossians 3:12-15