Some writers say that writing is a Spiritual Practice, a way of discerning one’s own growing spirituality. As Annie Dillard says so beautifully.
“why are we writing if not in hope of beauty laid bare,
life heightened and its deepest mystery probed?”
Musicians talk of music being the food of the Soul. Gardeners enthuse at their oneness with Nature as they plunge their hands into the soil.
Should we then all become writers, musicians or gardeners? Or are they really saying “my occupation, my talents, in fact, my everyday life, is my Spiritual Practice?
(‘Spiritual Practice’ being understood as a deliberate, personal act or attitude that aligns us with The Ultimate Mystery of Life drawing us deeper into our wholeness and towards our destiny.)
At Te Wahi Ora, we are increasingly aware that those things with which we deal on a daily basis are ‘our spiritual practice’. Embracing this practice, trusting That which is drawing us into this awareness, we begin to recognize our emerging beliefs and the shifting perspectives in our spiritual growth and maturity.
True, the reality is that difficulties arise in everyday life; some short term and some devastatingly long term. Perhaps too often we make the judgment call that difficulty is ‘bad’ and life without difficulty is ‘good’! But might the purpose and meaning of life be far greater than our subjective judgments of good and bad if only we could glimpse them?
If the Life Source that is orchestrating the evolutionary sweep of existence reveals intelligence and compassion in nature, history and in our experience, then perhaps catching a glimpse of the greater global canvas will diminish our need for ‘right and wrong’, or ‘good and bad’ judgments.
Trusting that the Spiritual Practice of our everyday lives is part of that ‘evolutionary sweep of existence’, offers a sense of purpose, value and healing not only to us personally, but to our communities and ultimately, to the planet.
Te Wahi Ora wants to honour and supply the many resources that have always been there to support us in this Spiritual Practice of living life in its fullness. Our focus is on rest, nourishing food, health and exercise, inspirational conversation, solitude, intimate gatherings, inner and outer healing skills and acknowledging women’s personal beliefs.
We believe in encouraging guests to choose freely while on Retreat, what they want to do and experience, believe and become.
Part of our commitment to living this daily SPIRITUAL PRACTICE is to listen deeply to your experiences of life … and stay listening as you discern those transformative perspectives emerging for you. Our understanding of community, compassion, Spirituality and Sisterhood is Te Wahi Ora’s foundation; our resolve is to live out the meaning of our name Te Wahi Ora, “a place to belong to while moving into wholeness”.
After 26 years, it remains an honour to meet women committed to finding solutions to the huge and often seemingly overwhelming challenges entrusted to them. And then to witness their personal growth, their increasing strength and resilience, the changes made within their families, and their growing sense of a greater purpose to their lives, becomes a blessing back to us.
July 2016