Wisdom from the Desert
Dec 11, 2024Wisdom from the Desert
Words to Help You through the Holidays
Things can get complicated, especially around the holidays, especially this year.
Holidays often expose divisiveness in family, friends, and communities. It can highlight conflict even within ourselves. What can help?
I was writing a whole article for you about discernment when my own exhaustion from anger, grief, and overwork coupled with this in-between time of Autumn and Winter in the northern hemisphere asked me to not try so hard at the moment. I decided to pay attention.
Instead, as darkness grows, I’m inviting us to “let be” and “let go” for a while.
Simplify. Be still.
“Watch and pray” as the season of Advent beckons.
Stop any compulsive work to allow space for God to freely work.
This isn’t easy. It will look different depending on our life circumstances. Maybe it’s gazing out our window over lunch hour rather than staring at a screen. It could be stopping, breathing, and waiting to respond to someone. It might be pausing for a moment to listen to our bodies and acknowledge our limitations. Whatever it is, we're invited into a holy pause, letting our fields lie fallow for a time.
When I stopped editing the discernment article, I decided to offer some 4th century wisdom I’ve been savoring from a couple of the Desert Fathers. Maybe it can help you, too:
Abba Poemen said,
Imagine meeting three people:
One of whom cultivates inner peace even in times of strife;
one of whom cultivates inner gratitude even in times of suffering;
and one of whom cultivates inner clarity even in times of distraction.
Now know that you have met three people doing the same spiritual work.
(Poemen 29; Apophthegamata Patrum [Sayings of the Desert Fathers])
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“Be humble and have patience with your inner struggles.”
(John the Dwarf 34; Apophthegmata Patrum [Sayings of the Desert Fathers])
May this ancient wisdom from those who stepped out of the societal fray to listen to what God had to say, speak to your soul.
Thank you for the ways you desire to tend to your own soul and the souls of others. Our world depends on it. Because I believe in the powerful, healing work of soul-tending through spiritual direction and the growing necessity of training wise spiritual companions through Wisdom Tree Collective, I’m taking time away from both in December. However, I’ve recorded a guided prayer for you that I utilize in WTC’s School of Spiritual Direction. If you’re feeling especially vulnerable, allow yourself to be held by the Holy Family. You can watch it here. Other supports are listed below.
Holidays often expose divisiveness in family, friends, and communities. It can highlight conflict even within ourselves. What can help?
I was writing a whole article for you about discernment when my own exhaustion from anger, grief, and overwork coupled with this in-between time of Autumn and Winter in the northern hemisphere asked me to not try so hard at the moment. I decided to pay attention.
Instead, as darkness grows, I’m inviting us to “let be” and “let go” for a while.
Simplify. Be still.
“Watch and pray” as the season of Advent beckons.
Stop any compulsive work to allow space for God to freely work.
This isn’t easy. It will look different depending on our life circumstances. Maybe it’s gazing out our window over lunch hour rather than staring at a screen. It could be stopping, breathing, and waiting to respond to someone. It might be pausing for a moment to listen to our bodies and acknowledge our limitations. Whatever it is, we're invited into a holy pause, letting our fields lie fallow for a time.
When I stopped editing the discernment article, I decided to offer some 4th century wisdom I’ve been savoring from a couple of the Desert Fathers. Maybe it can help you, too:
Abba Poemen said,
Imagine meeting three people:
One of whom cultivates inner peace even in times of strife;
one of whom cultivates inner gratitude even in times of suffering;
and one of whom cultivates inner clarity even in times of distraction.
Now know that you have met three people doing the same spiritual work.
(Poemen 29; Apophthegamata Patrum [Sayings of the Desert Fathers])
--------
“Be humble and have patience with your inner struggles.”
(John the Dwarf 34; Apophthegmata Patrum [Sayings of the Desert Fathers])
May this ancient wisdom from those who stepped out of the societal fray to listen to what God had to say, speak to your soul.
Thank you for the ways you desire to tend to your own soul and the souls of others. Our world depends on it. Because I believe in the powerful, healing work of soul-tending through spiritual direction and the growing necessity of training wise spiritual companions through Wisdom Tree Collective, I’m taking time away from both in December. However, I’ve recorded a guided prayer for you that I utilize in WTC’s School of Spiritual Direction. If you’re feeling especially vulnerable, allow yourself to be held by the Holy Family. You can watch it here. Other supports are listed below.
Peace to you in and through the holidays.
~Kasey Hitt, WTC Executive Director & Instructor
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