1. Consider what needs to be emptied out of your life right now so that you can be filled again?
2. Describe ways you have been open to God or the Divine. What were the results?
3. When has staying quiet been a source of strength for you? Reflect upon the stories of the woman being still with the bird and the young man listening for the temple bells. When have you had similar experiences?
4. How has your spiritual path increased your self-acceptance? What areas of yourself still need work?
5. When have you felt yourself held by the Divine with no effort on your part?
Possible Practices
1. Pay attention to how open you are this week. Try seeing if you can allow yourself to open even further. Ask someone you consider to be very open how they maintain spaciousness in their life.
2. Identify a daily activity that can become a sign for you to remain open.
3. Journal about an experience of being opened that led to new ideas and experiences in your life.
Visit the Openness homepage for more ways to practice this spiritual quality. Follow the links in the left column to:
- a collection of quotations on compassion
- book recommendations
- book excerpts and teaching stories
- film recommendations
- music and art meditations
- a daily cue, reminder, vow, and blessing for compassion
- a prayer or mantra
- personal explorations including imagery and journal exercises
- practices and spiritual exercises
- questions for discussion, storytelling, sharing
- take action with household, group, and community projects
- and more
Prepared by Persephone Zill with contributions from Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
