SIMPLE PEACE RETREATS IN ASSISI, ITALY
  • Home
    • How to get to Assisi
    • Site Map
    • Where to stay: Rome, Florence, Assisi
    • Links
  • Dates | Costs | Register
    • Dates & Costs
    • REGISTER
    • Daily Schedule
    • The Pensione in the heart of Assisi
    • Meditative Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Assisi
    • Pilgrims Walk
    • What is a retreat ?
    • The ancient hilltop town of Assisi
  • About Us
    • Community of Retreat Leaders >
      • Our Community of Retreat Leaders
      • Retreat Founders
    • 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit
    • Little Flower Community
    • Retreats in Napa Valley, California
  • Guest Reviews
    • Guest Reviews
    • Simple Peace in the News
  • Books, Blog, Inspirations
    • Assisi Blog
    • Books by Bruce Davis, PhD
    • Contributions by Bruce Davis Ph.D on Huffingtion Post
  • Contact Us

The school of what works-      lessons in applied spirituality

3/19/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
by Rob Stucky
There are a few things I have found consistently and inescapably helpful in dealing with the “big issues” of life. One is a firm conviction that there is a higher truth greater than our human egos, a consciousness or energy, by whatever name we choose to call it, that keeps this complex universe moving along with astonishing precision and harmony- the deliberate embrace and acceptance of which results in tangible improvement of our quality of life. The other is doing some basic practices that come under the rubric of paying attention and living consciously, that significantly increase our ability to embrace that higher truth and reap its benefits. 

Breathing fully, using the anchoring rhythm, sound, or even remembrance of a mantra, sacred name, or an uplifting thought, continually contemplated, to keep us on an even keel during our daily activities;  being selective about keeping positive company- both physically and mentally;  eating healthy food; taking reasonable care of our bodies- all these are tools for living more fruitfully, and for confronting life’s difficulties more effectively. They constitute the essence of spiritual practice. There is nothing inherently mystical or mysterious about them- they are the basic curriculum of the “School of What Works”,  the practical, “applied spirituality” available to anyone who chooses to learn them. 

Being conscious may sound like a dumb goal, because we assume we already are. But how aware are we really- from moment to moment- of all that is going on, both around and within us? Take a step outside, stop what you’re doing, and pay attention: just see how many things your can see, hear, smell, taste or touch. I can guarantee that you’ll suddenly become conscious of just how unconscious you were five minutes ago! 
​

But do you really want to be fully conscious of everything all the time? Isn’t that a sort of exhausting, circuit-breaking sensory overload that would just become overwhelming? Perhaps. But even becoming briefly aware of the sensorial wealth within and around us can make us appreciate life, and shake us out of our mental habit of finding ourselves, our relationships, or our world disappointingly lacking. With practice, that awareness  incrementally shifts from brief glimpse to habitual state. 
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Entries are from our Community of Retreat leaders that provide year round retreats in Assisi, Italy

    Archives

    April 2018
    March 2018

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Non Profit Organization
We are a non-profit  organization that supports people of all religions, countries and backgrounds to live a deeply satisfying spiritual life. 
The path of great love and peace is to pursue a life full of heart that includes; devotion, simplicity, humility and service to others.
Assisi, Italy 
​Simple Peace Retreats  |  Via San Paolo 11 | 06081 Assisi (PG), Italia | +39  338 197 0867 (March-November) | © since 1986 - 2017
Home Office:
Silent Stay Retreat Center near Napa, California  www.SilentStay.com
Year round meditation & silent retreats | P: 707-474-4833 | 501(c)(3) non-profit
  • Home
    • How to get to Assisi
    • Site Map
    • Where to stay: Rome, Florence, Assisi
    • Links
  • Dates | Costs | Register
    • Dates & Costs
    • REGISTER
    • Daily Schedule
    • The Pensione in the heart of Assisi
    • Meditative Pilgrimage to the Sacred Sites of Assisi
    • Pilgrims Walk
    • What is a retreat ?
    • The ancient hilltop town of Assisi
  • About Us
    • Community of Retreat Leaders >
      • Our Community of Retreat Leaders
      • Retreat Founders
    • 501 (c)(3) Non-Profit
    • Little Flower Community
    • Retreats in Napa Valley, California
  • Guest Reviews
    • Guest Reviews
    • Simple Peace in the News
  • Books, Blog, Inspirations
    • Assisi Blog
    • Books by Bruce Davis, PhD
    • Contributions by Bruce Davis Ph.D on Huffingtion Post
  • Contact Us
✕