Gift of the Red Bird; The Story of a Divine Encounter by Paula D'Arcy

I started reading this book a few days ago. It was given to me at the 4 Day Academy by one of the retreat leaders. I was familiar with the name Paula D'Arcy, but had not read any of her books. I started off reading the introduction and was hooked. There is so much to chew on in this book. There are "causes for a pause" all over the place. It's a small book, yet there are deep pockets found within its pages. 

What has caught my attention so far?

I am glad you asked.

One of the first things that caught my attention was this quote:

"The inward journey may frighten us, yet it is this journey which holds the real treasure. There God's spirit wants to reveal mysteries and beauty beyond our imagination: the secrets of what is holy, and the encounters with truth that change everything. It is the journey that opens the eye of the heart." (14)

The inward journey is not a new concept for me. Thankfully, it is one that I have known about for years now. It's not something I have just "known" with my head, but it is something I've intentionally sought to live.

The 2 Year Academy, seminary, and my Spiritual Direction studies have all been part of my inward journey growth.

There is one book that I remember reading: Journey Inward, Journey Outward by Elizabeth O'Connor. It was one of our required books for the Two Year Academy. I wrote about the book on February 4, 2013 in a post.

Another book I've read recently is: Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation by Daniel Wolpert. I wrote two blogposts about it. One was when I first started reading it and the 2nd one was a book review. 

The inward journey is an ongoing one for me.... maybe for all of us as we seek to learn and grow. I remember Bob Mulholland speaking to us at our Two Year Academy and his books. Here is one post about one of his books: The Deeper Journey: The Spirituality of Discovering Your True Self. This post was written July 23, 2013, over eleven years ago.

To see how I've continued to seek to live into my true self, to go and grow deeper, to be open to the inward journey, etc. --- well, it is hard to wrap my head around that I have been on this ongoing journey for years that is led by a thirst within.

There are stages of growth and learning along the way. And it seems that I'm in another time of learning, growing, going deeper, experiencing things that open the eye of the heart as the quote above says. 

Christine Painter wrote about that ('eye of the heart') and I wrote about her book here in May 2018.

I have only just begun Paula D'Arcy's book. The quote I shared above is something I'm reflecting on, chewing on, digging into.... I am wondering what the inward journey is for me these days, what treasures, mysteries, and beauty the Spirt has to reveal to me.....What will the encounters with truth be and what will they change? 

I am open. I am not afraid. I have faced many inward journeys over the years and I welcome them. The growth, learning, and transformation are part of the ongoing relationship with the Creator.

I do wonder what it looks like, what it would look like to go back and do a spiritual timeline of my journeys of going and growing deeper?!?! What onion layers are peeled off each time so that my true self is more me?

From the recent 4 Day Academy, I do know I was reminded to live into the spiritual practice of play, playfulness. What more is being revealed? I don't know.

May I see with eyes of the heart, 

Deb

BOOK REVIEW: Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practices of Social Transformation by Daniel Wolpert

 

I have written about this book before on my blog: Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation (July 10)

I finished reading it a few days ago and I started writing a book review. I had promised a friend and colleague a book review for the national newsletter. So, I wrote it. It took two days to complete it, but I sent it off yesterday. It will be shared in an upcoming edition of a Hearts on Fire newsletter, but I thought I'd share it here for those who might be interested in the book.

I invite and encourage you to check it out. If you're interested in discussing the book, let me know. I'm still "chewing on it" in reflection.

Here is my review: 

"I sit in silent reflection as I just closed the back cover of this book. There is so much in these pages that resonates with me, to soak in, to live out. This book is an easy read, yet challenging. Just as the spiritual practices mentioned are simple, yet not easy, as the author admits readily in several places throughout the book.

Wolpert takes us into spiritual practices that lead to social transformation by looking at what Jesus said rather than what we have attempted to say that Jesus said over the years. By not listening deeply to God incarnate, we have perpetuated social injustice, a view of a heavenly only kingdom and other things that aren’t in the teachings of Jesus.

If the reader is willing to read this book with an open mind, there is much to see and learn. How do we start to attend to God’s presence? How can we listen in prayer rather than speak unnecessary words? How can we live in the here and now, in this kin-dom on earth, as we are called to do in the Lord’s Prayer?

These are some of the questions swirling around as I finish the book.

Format of the book: at the beginning of each chapter is a scriptural passage that relates to the practice in that chapter. The twelve practices are: willful attention, boundary creation, fearless humility, self-awareness, powerful presence, compassionate relationship, serving God, radical trust, letting go, discernment, loving your enemy, and prayer.

For me, this is a book that deserves at least a 2^nd read, and likely a 3^rd one. It will take time for the concepts, nuggets of truth, and practices to seep into my thinking and action. It’s a book that I would recommend using as a group study or a book club, as a way to discuss it with others.

If I were to include only one quote from the book, I think it would be this one: “One of the main reasons people find spiritual practices challenging is that it is hard and painful to encounter our own judgmentalism.”  (67)  I encourage anyone who desires to grow, to take the challenge of this book to look inward and to live outward. It will not be an easy process, but it will be transformational, if you allow it to be."

Rev. Deb

LINKS:

PODCAST EPISODE FOR THE BOOK: Liminal Living S3 E20: Daniel Wolpert: Looking Inward, Living Outward

Daniel Wolpert, author bio-- From the Upper Room

Looking Inward, Living Outward: The Spiritual Practice of Social Transformation

I purchased this book in advance on May 21, 2024. It arrived on June 4th. I have carried it around with me to Annual Conference and other places, but just cracked it open this morning. I am not disappointed by what I have read so far. I am eager to read more and to see how these words help transform me and my spiritual practices.

I met the author, Daniel Wolpert, last summer at a retreat in Atlanta, GA for Hearts on Fire / The Fellowship of United Methodist Spiritual Directors and Retreat Leaders. He is an excellent teacher. I knew I would be interested in his upcoming book.

Here are the nuggets that have caught my attention thus far: 

Wolpert reminds us that transformation is always happening (12). He distinguishes between "unconscious transformation" (13) and "conscious transformation" (14). 

Wolpert writes, "I encourage all who engage in spiritual practice to view it as a journey of self-compassions and curiosity, rather than of guilt or shame." (15) He notes that the point of the book is "to invite you [the reader] into more profound ways of engaging a life with God." (15)  He continues: "Our spiritual life isn't about finding the one right answer. It is a journey of going deeper. Whatever has led you to this book has been part of your path, and now you are entering the next stage of your journey." (15)

I find those words encouraging and exciting. I have seen the spiritual path as a journey for many years. And, the words I have quoted above give me hope as I continue to learn and grow.

Wolpert writes, "We are always growing, always changing, always facing the opportunity to wake up to discern God's call." (16)

That resonates and fits my experience. I have experienced transition after transition, continuing to learn, grow, experience new things. To recognize that new spiritual practices, new tools and resources are part of the journey and are normal is again encouraging and exciting. 

Wolpert exhorts the reader: "let us stay open to the great depth that these deceptively and paradoxically simple practices can bring to our existence as we allow God to enter our collective lives and transform us." (17)

As I begin this adventurous journey of being open to what I will find in this book, I am open. I look forward to the journey of deeper and engaging a life with God.

Daniel will be at the Wild Goose Festival. If you are there, look him up. Tell him I said "hi". 

If you decide to read this book, share the nuggets that resonate with you in the comments.

Let's learn and grow together on the deeper journey.

Deb