In this episode of the Discomfort Podcast, I speak to Judith Favor who is an author, former professor of theology, and retired minister from the Quaker church. I admire the Quaker church because it's grounded in restful practices like contemplation and reflection, which I discuss in-depth with Judith. Judith's mission is to bring spirituality and well-being to the world through her career as a spiritual guidance coach and we discuss what she means by 'spiritual guidance' and the practices she guides others in to find inner peace. We talk about her time in a Buddhist monastery and Judith shares how she found her current spirituality following a near-death experience.

No matter your faith or beliefs, Judith and I agree in this episode on the importance of taking moments of quiet to reflect on life and the importance of quiet and contemplation to find calm and inner peace. This is by no means a comfortable practice, but by opening yourself up to discomfort - by practicing discomfort - and simply sitting with all feelings that might arise during quiet contemplation, we can often find the answers within. This episode concludes with a guided Sabbath Practice in 'not knowing,' guided by Judith Favor. Join us for a moment of peace as you take time to sit in the discomfort of the unknown.

Let us know your thoughts on Instagram or Twitter @thebetsyreed and feel free to tag us. Follow my own journey through my discomfort practice and catch up on past episodes on the podcast microsite https://thediscomfortpractice.libsyn.com or find The Discomfort Practice on your favorite podcast platform.

Key Points:

• The Moment of Discomfort – The moment that Judith faced death and had her life-changing spiritual experience (04:30)
• What does it mean to rest in a sacred presence? How Judith conquered excruciating pain through her spirituality (06:30)
• Where it all started - Judith's visit to a Buddhist monastery and how this was a founding moment in her spiritual journey, but not in the way you might think (09:00)
• How Judith became a spiritual director (11:30)
• Judith's family history – a story of working-class pioneers (12:30)
• What is spiritual guidance and what is the benefit? (13:00)
• How to make yourself available to moments of wisdom through contemplation silence (16:30)
• A practice of being aware of your body and feeling the Holy Spirit within (18:00)
• The role of discomfort in contemplation and why it is important to not shy away from uncomfortable thoughts and feelings (20:00)
• Judith discusses her novels and how the discomfort she felt when learning her family history, inspired this story (22:00)
• Sometimes the best advice is no advice. How to let others answer their own questions and what are the questions you don't want to know the answer to? (36:00)
• The Sabbath and its importance in life. The benefits of taking a day of rest and how to implement this into your life (50:00)
• A guided Sabbath Practice on not knowing, with Judith Favor (53:00)

Connect with Judith Favor

• Judith's Website
• Judith on Facebook
• Judith on Linkedin

Connect with Betsy Reed

• Betsy on Instagram
• Betsy on Twitter
• Betsy on Linkedin
• Betsy's Website

Resources Mentioned

• Varieties of Religious Experience by William James
• Spiritual Directors International
• Friending Rosie: Respect on Death Row by Judith Favor
• River Flow: New & Selected Poems by David Whyte
• Sabbath Economics: A Spiritual Guide to Linking Love with Money by Judith Wright Favor
• The Companion Journal 52 Weeks of Love & Money: For Sabbath Economics by Judith Wright Favor

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