Sunday March 23: I AM

To Practice

– Engage in an “I AM” meditation by Julie Saad to touch on an experience of your true self. You may listen to a guided meditation here (about 9 minutes) and/or you may read the guidelines for this meditation here.  What do you experience?

– You may also wish to watch the entire video by Julie on “Transformation: Deepening our Practice – Grace Throughout our Lives,” (about 75 minutes) where she shares from her lived experience as a long-time practitioner and student of Thomas Keating on the deepening transformation possible through dedicated contemplative practice and the routines of everyday life.

– Consider what person/persons God may be calling you to fertilize with presence and kindness in this season of new life.

You may wish to re-read the full email reflection here: https://mailchi.mp/coutreach/2025_word-of-the-week-march23

I find myself engaging in the “I AM” spontaneously alternating with the welcome prayer. I was drawn into the image on first glance centered in joy. In 1976-7 on a sabbatical:Biblical Exegise and Social Justice, we began with Exodus chapters 1-19. This Sunday reminded me of a foundational experience of Moses on Holy Ground before the burning bush which set me off on the slow recognition my “I AM”; ‘ You are my prized possession (Segullah), whose value to me is beyond all expectation (19:3). Intuitively “become fire”, a silent invitation that I am only beginning to be aware of  glancing at this week’s image, a bouquet. Praying the I AM meditation this week is more akin to is “i am”. Many years of lived experience and suffering, the “still small voice” of  I AM WHO I AM leads me to this week, this image as PRESENCE and “me” “presence”; no words; just JOY.

When I consider what person/persons God may be calling me to fertilize with presence and kindness in this truly new season of my life, two come to mind. As has been for almost 40 years, my sweet husband, battling health concerns serious enough we sold our home in eastern Tennessee and move west to Arizona. On the gracious hospitality invitation of my youngest brother, we moved in with him permanently. He is my second person to nurture.

A season of letting go old identities, breaking free of old chrysalis’ of thought and being, while testing fresh, delicate wings of new life. Present to the men in my life and myself. Kindness to all of us as well. <3 linda

Linda, your presence and practice also fertilizes the Contemplative Outreach community. Bless you in your chrysalis state while you literally acclimate to a new geographical state. – Pamela

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