In the Spirit of Lent
Posted on 22. Feb, 2009 by Deb in A Little More Focused, The Girl
It has been suggested to me that meditation would be of assistance to lowering my blood pressure. I tried meditation about five or six years ago but was not successful at quieting my mind. I had found a teacher, but the stress of the divorce was non conducive to adding to my education. There is a more than patient group of teachers in the area. And though it is a mix of spiritual followings, I am thinking that the Lenten Season may be the perfect time for me to give it a try again. I need to see if I have the patience with myself to be successful at it, as I know that it is where I failed in the past.
Yes, the Lenten season is upon us, as is evidenced by the tales of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Venice, Rio and other such places. Ash Wednesday is this coming week, on the 25th. Traditionally, folks “give up” something, which I have done in years past. Last year, I stopped giving up things, like chocolate or pastries at Starbucks or other such things, and instead, chose to embrace the culmination of the Joy of Easter. It worked well. Learning something that is spiritual, centering and is geared towards growth in self-discipline is something that follows in the real Spirit of Lent.
When I attend Church, I attend Mass. I certainly do not agree with everything The Church believes in, however, it is the place that I spiritually feel at home. The Rites of the Mass are very comforting….that’s me and I know it’s not for everyone. Just like I know purists would tell me that my choice for Lent is not in the Spirit. While the opinions of those that I respect are important to me, I still have to be able reconcile matters of the Spirit within myself. Fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday as well as not eating meat on Fridays during Lent are observances I follow each year, no matter how I choose to personally honor the season.
PS – Am sharing this picture just because I love it. It’s St. Patrick’s Church in Downtown Washington DC (on 10th street at F St NW). When I am in DC on Sundays, my routine is 8 AM Mass then Brunch with the Sunday Washington Post. There is something about being able to walk to church and then spend the morning embracing things that I love (food and a big Sunday Paper). I’ll be there next Sunday 
F O C U S | Deb Smouse
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05. Apr, 2009
[...] in Lenten sacrifice, but instead to grow myself spiritually (and improve my self-discipline) by learning to meditate. I have yet to master it and know that I may never, I now understand that it is a process. [...]