Practice rarely makes perfect.... and even if it did, perfection itself is rarely a worthwhile goal. Into this paradox comes a coach's wise advice: practice makes permanent. Quaker author Parker Palmer similarly describes "habits of the heart." The point is: we are all works in progress. And spiritual practice is a great way to be intentional with your life and your energy.
What is a spiritual practice? Well-known examples include: prayer, meditaiton, alms-giving, dietary restriction, and so on. But a wider lens teaches us that many things done from a place of depth, and with some regularity, can have the same effect as more traditional practices. Examples might include: walking in the woods, deep dialog, cooking/eating/raising food, reading, playing music or experiencing art. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel described marching the Civil Rights era as a form of prayer. Often, in services at UUSGS, we refer to the spiritual practice of caring for children. Do you have a spiritual practice?
UUSGS is pleased to host many different opportunities for shared spiritual practice. Most are open to the public and require no previous experience. Please check out our event listings for current opporunties. And if you have an idea for a practice you'd like to share, please reach out!
In addition to ongoing practice groups, classes and reading groups are offered throughout the year on a variety of topics, from current events to "Building Your Own Theology."
