Way of Beauty
Adapted from Philip Sheldrake's book:
The Spiritual Way
The Way of Beauty, is to my way of thinking often underestimated or even ignored in traditional studies of Christian spirituality. This type takes us beyond conventional written texts as the main source material for Christian spirituality. I would argue that the tradition of Christian spirituality is not limited to written material, but may include other elements that have some form of transformative potential. For example, aesthetics and art have a role in expressing spiritual wisdom. In particular, the Way of Beauty includes the creative arts, music, poetic literature, and architecture. the rich symbolism of medieval religious architecture has an overt spiritual message and significance, not least in the grandeur of Gothic cathedrals. Finally, in literary terms, the outstanding poetry of George Herbert, a major figure in seventeenth-century English literature who was also a priest in the Church of England, is a rich example of spirituality expressed through poetic literature.
14 Day Retreat
On the Way of Beauty
Day 1
“How good it is
to center down!”
Psalm 46
Matthew 26:36-45
As we wait for the time to pass before we can re-enter physical spaces of worship again, imagine your favorite worship space that inspires beauty. Consider the physical space... is it the architecture, the colors, the feel of the wood or stone or dirt floor? Can you remember the scents and the temperature changes from walking from outside to inside and back out again? Soak in the sensory beauty of a photo or memory of a sanctuary that feels beautiful to you.
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church at sunrise in Kansas City, Mo.(Charlie Riedel/AP) April 11. 2020
Day 2
“To sit quietly and see one’s self pass by!”
Luke 10:38-42
1 Kings 19:9-12
Sit in silence and listen for the Holy Spirit, while noticing the simple sophistication and soothing colors in the art print linked below, “Silence and Beauty- Resonance,” by Makoto Fujimura.
Day 3
“The streets of our minds seethe with endless traffic;”
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
Luke 14:25
Create an art piece using whatever medium you like. Perhaps a magazine collage, playdough sculpture, or drawing on the vanities of your life and things you need to let go. Focus on the beauty that appears when your life is full of what you want to keep, and can feel lighter and more resilient once unneeded attachments are released.
Lastly, if you want to shout it out, sing along with the popular song “Let it go”.
Day 4
“Our spirits resound with clashing, with noisy silences,”
Psalm 142
Matthew 4:1-11
Labyrinths are a beautiful practice of prayer. As you enter the path, you can hold an intention of a specific prayer request, mantra, scripture phrase, or spiritual image. Hold this until you walk towards the middle, and then “give it to God” before moving back towards going out. The beauty of a labyrinth journey is that you can not get lost, as there is only one way in and the same way back out. Staying open to knowing this 14-day retreat can be a resource to help us discover what is on the other side of this crisis. Since you are in two weeks of solitude and may not have access to a socially distanced labyrinth, enjoy this finger labyrinth which allows the path to appear wherever you are.
Day 5
“While something deep within hungers and thirsts for the still moment and the resting lull.”
Psalm 143
Matthew 11:25-30
There is such beauty in culinary arts, especially baking. If you have a kitchen available, please find a simple baking recipe that brings joy to your heart. If you do not have access, consider choosing a baked good on your next shopping or food order. Before baking or consuming, think on any deep hungers you have in life. Dwell on that spiritual yearning and allow God to “cook” or develop them in ways we couldn’t do on their own. Consume the delicious creation that you have made or resourced, find delight in it, be still and know God. Take a nap.
Day 6
“With full intensity we seek, ere thicket passes, a fresh sense of order in our living; a direction, a strong sure purpose that will structure our confusion and bring meaning in our chaos.”
Isaiah 6:8
Galatians 5:22-25
Imagine a fruit display, what does each of the fruits of the spirit represent? Using a medium of art of your choosing such as writing, drawing, painting, sculpture, music, dance, let beauty flow into the words: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, and faithfulness. This art is a representation of a spiritual platter of abundance.
Day 7
“We look at ourselves in this waiting moment—the kinds of people we are.”
Psalm 40
Ephesians 2:4-10
“From a spiritual perspective, quiet and stillness help us connect to that which is divine within us.” Sit in front of a mirror and look at yourself. While looking at yourself listen to the clip of the Sitka Spruce. Once the clip is done, reflect on the silence and acknowledge the Divine within you. Give gratitude to the Divine for dwelling in you.
Day 8
“The questions persist: what are we doing with our lives? —what are the motives that order our days?
Micah 6:8
1 Thessalonians 5:15-22
Listen to or read Mary Oliver’s poem “The Summer Day”. Let yourself be surrounded in the beauty of poetry as the author invites you to “tell me what do you plan to do with this one wild and precious life.”
Day 9
“What is the end of our doings? Where are we trying to go? Where do we put the emphasis and where are our values focused? For what end do we make sacrifices?”
Proverbs 3:3-8
Romans 8:24-28
Many people in our world are feeling stuck, complicated, or simply a mess. There is hope in the beauty of seeing unraveling when God makes our paths straight.
Activity: You will need a string or rope, of at least 10-12 inches. Make knots with this string. Think of times when you didn’t have hope in God or witnessed something or were affected by a time you didn’t have hope in God. Things in and outside of your control that you had trouble giving up to God. Spend a few moments in silent offering and openness to God. Now, untangle the rope. As you are untangling it say your own prayer of gratitude and give up the troubled knots of your life to God.
Day 10
“Where is my treasure and what do I love most in life?”
Proverbs 2:1-8
Matthew 6:31-34
Reflect on a kaleidoscope and how it creates beautiful treasure in our vision out of everyday objects. These curious and ever-changing scopes turn simple objects into beauty. By placing any subject in front of the kaleidoscope, one can magnify the beauty of anything. Imagine the beauty of God’s gaze at the many components of your life. Your ever-changing life is a constant work of artful beauty, gifted by our Creator. Enjoy this two hour long kaleidoscope video for at least five minutes.
Day 11
“What do I hate most in life and to what am I true? Over and over the questions beat upon the waiting moment.”
Jonah 4
Romans 12:9-13
This painting, "Blessings", was painted as part of a series after her father died. It showcases new life rising from death. Death bed, babies, new life, phoenix, the ever flickering fire of I AM. As you spend a few minutes contemplating this way of beauty, consider permission to give your two weeks of retreat an opportunity to choose living a life that you want, a new birth of sorts as you step back into the world after your time of solitude ends.
Day 12
“As we listen, floating up through all of the jangling echoes of our turbulence, there is a sound of another kind— A deeper note which only the stillness of the heart makes clear.”
Psalm 131
James 1:19-25
Being still. Enjoy the beautiful melody of this singing bowl. Many people enjoy prayer with meditative music, and this instrument can help center your thoughts, removing distractions, by letting your mind focus all your hearing energy directed only at the start and final stop of the reverberate sounds.
Once the video stops, pray the Deep Peace prayer:
Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.
Deep peace. Deep peace. Deep peace.
Day 13
“It moves directly to the core of our being. Our questions are answered, Our spirits refreshed, and we move back into the traffic of our daily round With the peace of the Eternal in our step.”
Psalm 51:10-17
Philippians 4:4-9
Images of newness from white sneakers to bubbles to purity. Let the images of fresh newness wash over your mind and heart. Spend a few minutes listening and meditating on the song, “White as Snow”, by Jon Foreman. Once the song is over, formulate what current image of newness springs to your spirit.
Day 14
“How good it is to center down!”
Psalm 23
John 15:1-11
Here you will find a picture of the kudzu plant in the shape of the cross. This plant is unstoppable, much like the power of Jesus Christ. After spending a few moments reflecting on the photo, make a brief comment about it. Respond to the prompt: How can we invite God’s unstoppable love into our lives to work through us?