Today's episode focuses on the practice of centering prayer as a method of witness to the presence of God, as we understand Him. This presence derives from within us. It is connected to our essence, and being as individuals who often navigate secular worlds. Whether you consent to the presence of God, or rather, consent to the presence of yourself, the art of centering prayer takes you on a journey inside of yourself and leaves you with an external response amounting to several health benefits. 

"Wherever you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in Secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6

In the 1970s, a group of Trappist monks- Thomas Keating, William Menninger, and Basil Pennington- got together to recover contemplative practices from the Christian tradition. These practices were first practiced and taught by the Desert Fathers and Mothers of Egypt, Palestine, and Syria. We attribute St. Bernard of Clairvaux and the Rhineland mystics to contemplative practices during the middle ages. Followed by, the Carmelites of St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross after the reformation. Those mentioned, all cultivated practices in their lives that they believed led to the spiritual gift of contemplation.

Prayer is powerful and individual. We pray for different reasons- guidance, thanksgiving, protection. When we can enter prayer with an approach to God as a partner or collaborator, we are more likely to have better physical and mental health outcomes.

In 2005, the Journal of  Behavioral Medicine released a study that found those who participated in a spiritual form of meditation showed a greater decrease in anxiety and an elevated mood. One study found that prayer had similar benefits to meditation, it can calm your nervous system, reduce your heart rate, boost your immune response, reduce stress and anxiety, and enhance one’s self-esteem.

Grief is unique. It doesn't look the same on any two people, even if those two people lost the same loved one. It is an individual's response, internally, as they process the death or sudden loss of something particularly meaningful to the person involved. To mourn and to lose something we once believed was certain can be a shock to our nervous system. Grief is a marathon, not a sprint. May you find comfort in the stories shared in today's episode.

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Think of a time when you couldn't read. Instead, someone may have read to you. Can you recall them asking you to listen closely? And if anything stood out while they read aloud, to note it in your mind?

In the early days of church history, it was no different. Mass printing didn't exist, and not everyone shared the same common tongue. Monks would gather together during their time of prayer and listen as another member of the order would read scripture.

Lectio Divina is a method of prayer found in this early monastic tradition.  During the exercise, monks were encouraged to listen with their hearts. By doing so, they would consent to the presence of the Word of God.

In the secular world, this can look like reading and sitting with a piece of poetry, or a passage in your favorite book. The clear mission behind this method of prayer or method of being present is listening. By tuning in and tuning out distractions, you allow yourself to enter into a state of contemplation. A time to be present and open to new streams of consciousness.

We cannot separate the sacred and profane. Instead, we can learn to recognize how the sacred influenced the profane, and begin moving towards a path of wholeness.

What do you need to sit with?

What do you need to act on?

As the moments after this meditation fill with silence and as you internalize a deeper meaning of your most interior part of self, I encourage you to allow the call of acting on those words or phrases to present itself.

The poem used in today's practice of Lectio Divina was, "On Time" by Kahlil Gibran.  The poem can be found here

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Today's episode concludes the first series of intentional conversations for this season on Jezebel Goes To Seminary. My guest, Rodell Jefferson III, is a fellow M.Div candidate at the Candler School of Theology. Together, we create space for an intentional conversation on faith, spirituality and our understanding of God. Rodell shares his story of working in L.A. and lessons from his mother, all which helped in forming his faith today. We reflect on what we're learning, and the myriad parts we bring to the table when engaging with scripture, faith and the unknown.

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Today kicks off a series of intentional conversations for this season on Jezebel Goes To Seminary. Today's guest, Rodell Jefferson III, is a fellow M.Div candidate at the Candler School of Theology. Together, we create space for an intentional conversation on faith, spirituality and our understanding of God. Rodell shares his story of working in L.A. and lessons from his mother, all which helped in forming his faith today. We reflect on what we're learning, and the myriad parts we bring to the table when engaging with scripture, faith and the unknown.

If you want to keep up with what's going down in funky town sign up for our newsletter here!

Catch us on Instagram: @jezebelgoestoseminary

What’s in a name? You’ve probably heard that line before, but if not, it was made famous in Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. Over time, the phrase, “what’s in a name?”, morphed into an everyday idiom. When used in its idiomatic form it tells us that the name, what word we use to identify, or label a thing, is arbitrary, that in fact, what matters is the quality behind the name.

Names, our names, the pronunciation of our names, having people know, respect and use our names plays a significant role in our lives. Why? For one, as Ralph Ellison, American novelist who wrote, Invisible Man, said, “it is through our names that we first places ourselves in the world…”

Where have you placed yourself? Where have you been placed by others? When in those places of ourselves, what did you learn? 

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In today's episode, Meredith touches on parts of her story that led her to seminary. She uses personal #storysharing to engage with listeners and encourage them to reflect on their own lives, especially the dark parts left untouched. As we begin to see ourselves, as our True selves, the more we can engage with others and their own questions about the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. Until we question who we are and who we will become, we may find ourselves in a constant state of wandering. When we can settle into who we are, knowing that all parts of ourselves are fully and wholly loved, then we can begin to see the world with new eyes of belonging. 

Follow, like and share today's episode to make sure you don't miss out on what's in store this season on, Jezebel Goes To Seminary. 

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Hi friends! Welcome to JEZEBEL GOES TO SEMINARY! In this short trailer, Meredith talks a little bit about her background, what brought her to seminary and how important it is to lean into the mystery. So, if you are wandering, weary and confused about the Bible or what it means to live in and with the Spirit, this podcast is for you. If you have questions- this podcast is for you. We are all on a journey of seeing and seeking the unknown.

Inquiries about today's trailer or general podcast questions can done here!

Hi friends! Welcome to JEZEBEL GOES TO SEMINARY! In this short trailer, Meredith talks a little bit about her background, what brought her to seminary and how important it is to lean into the mystery. So, if you are wandering, weary and confused about the Bible or what it means to live in and with the Spirit, this podcast is for you. If you have questions- this podcast is for you. We are all on a journey of seeing and seeking the unknown.

Inquiries about today's trailer or general podcast questions can done here!