The Art of Holy Pondering: Hearing the Gentle Whisper

By Richard J. Dickey

A deceptively simple read, The Art of Holy Pondering is embedded with insightful nuggets of spiritual truths. Delivered in clear language and citing common life experiences, the author speaks both to those beginning the spiritual quest and to seasoned pilgrims. He shines light on a tested pathway that opens to divine encounter, uncovering what for many has been hidden in plain sight.

Dealing with the realities of the mind and heart, this undertaking offers a key to unlocking attitudes and perceptions that persist in holding us captive to our passions and prejudices. It offers an uncommon spiritual practice that unearths the more that the holy desires to reveal in our routine interactions.

In identifying stepping stones that make possible a secure footing in the pursuit of holy insight, this adventure frees the heart for an unfettered response to the divine mystery. Steeped in the learnings of our spiritual fathers and mothers, the text lays out a framework that transforms random ponderings into a coherent pathway for hearing the gentle whisper.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781490879963

Richard J. Dickey

Rich Dickey (D. Min) is a United Methodist minister and a longtime student of spiritual formation and the human condition. A husband and companion of fifty-five years, he and Myrtie have two sons and three grandchildren. With degrees from Duke Divinity School and Andover Newton Theological School, his ministry includes church pastor and seminary teacher, military and hospital chaplain, retreat leader, and spiritual director. In retirement, in addition to his writing and website, he practices tai chi, tends their garden, and companions laity and clergy on their spiritual walk.

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CREDIT LINE: Turning-Point, translation copyright © 1982 by Stephen Mitchell; from SELECTED POETRY OF RAINER MARIA RILKE by Rainer Maria Rilke, translated by Stephen Mitchell. Used by permission of Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.

CREDIT LINE: Celebration of Discipline, Richard J. Foster, Copyright © 1978. Used by permission of HarperCollins Publishers.

CREDIT LINE: Cover Photo On Osgood Pond, Raymond Ford, PhD, Copyright ©1979. Used by permission.

CREDIT LINE: Author Photo, Lifetouch Directories an Portraits, Inc. Eden Prairie, MN. Copyright © 2013. Used by permission.

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered trademarks of Biblica, Inc. Use of either trademark for the offering of goods or services requires the prior written consent of Biblica US, Inc.

WestBow Press

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-7997-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7998-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-7996-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015907433

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/26/2015

Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Part One: Engaging in Heart-Work

Chapter 1 Blazing a Pathway

Chapter 2 Encountering the Holy

Chapter 3 Noticing the Unseen

Part Two: Befriending Our Memories

Chapter 4 Seeing with a Quiet Eye

Chapter 5 Creating a Masterpiece

Chapter 6 Discerning a Presence

Part Three: Nurturing Spirit Vision

Chapter 7 Embracing Holy Insight

Chapter 8 Sounding the Depths

Chapter 9 Modeling Divine Intent

Afterword

Endnotes

Works Cited

To Julieanne Hallman, teacher, mentor, and friend

whose vision and encouragement set me on a pathway

that opened to holy encounter. Thank you.

Preface

The Art of Holy Pondering presents a tested pathway for going deeper spiritually. Its discerning approach to reflection is an essential practice in uncovering attitudes and behaviors that hamper our efforts to bring the gift of the Eternal Now to bear on our experiences and relationships.

My own attraction to contemplative pondering was spurred by my studies in spiritual formation and spiritual direction. I found a new level of relevance when invited to teach seminarians the art of reflecting theologically. Over a teaching span of twelve years, I learned much about pondering ministry and life experiences, including its frustrations and its promise.

The initial impetus behind this book was to make available to seminarians the fruit of the collective insights of teacher and students alike. However, with the prodding of friends who read the early drafts, the focus gradually broadened. The intended readership grew to embrace all who earnestly seek to engage the Holy. Since the proposed practice encourages the writing of reflections, it is an added enticement for those already engaged in some form of journaling.

What is offered here is the outgrowth of my learning and personal spiritual practice, in the hope that others may sound the depths of a gracious and loving presence and lead a Spirit-informed life.

RJD

Clearwater, FL

Christmas 2014

Acknowledgments

First, to those who graciously and courageously shared their reflections as illustrations, thank you! You have been my joy. May all your future ponderings be jade!

Second, a heartfelt word of acknowledgement to those who played such an instrumental role in my own heart-work, and in bringing this work to light.

To Ann Marie Houghton and Judy Bowers, who walked with me during formative and fruitful periods in my quest for a deeper relationship with the living God. You have been my sounding boards and codiscerners. You are valued colleagues and spiritual companions.

To Carol and Bob, dear friends who patiently perused my initial written offerings and were instrumental in expanding my vision of holy pondering. You have been leading lights.

To Dore and Pearl, who quietly but persistently prayed this work to completion. Your faith sustained me and refused to let me stop.

To Richard and David, our computer-savvy sons, who rescued me more than once when it came to formatting, editing, and creating a Web site. You have the love of a grateful father.

To Myrtie, my wife of fifty-five years, who saw in me more that I saw in myself, and whose unending encouragement finally brought this endeavor to fruition. You’re still the one!

And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

—1 Kings 19:12

Introduction

The Art of Holy Pondering is about hearing the gentle whisper. More precisely, it denotes a way to recognize and embrace how God speaks to us. Offering a dynamic pathway to the divine within, it explores reflecting contemplatively on memorable life experiences as a way to a transforming encounter that informs and reforms the human heart. Eight stepping-stones equip the reader to discern how the Holy uncovers attitudes and behaviors that hamper our best efforts at gaining self-understanding and a vital spiritual life.

Most of us try to make sense of life. We ponder our actions and choices. We think about what might have been and what might yet be. We try to unravel the mystery that pervades the intricacies of who we are and all that is going on in our lives and our relationships. Whether our musings are frequent or occasional, systematic or random, we seek to understand our motives and behavior. Too often, however, we fail to garner either a new perspective or a new sense of direction. Even when we look through a faith lens or seek divine guidance, in too many instances the self-knowledge that would free us to choose new ways of seeing and relating eludes us.

This raises the question as to what is missing as we ponder life’s happenings. What escapes us in our earnest efforts to find direction in the everyday encounters that grip us? Further, what part does the Holy play in our search for understanding? Such queries invite us to examine not only the why and how of reflecting, but also who and what permeates and shapes our pondering and makes our reflections transforming.

The Art of Holy Pondering breaks new ground and goes to the heart and soul of what hinders our attempts to gain new insight into the experiences that concern us. It offers a distinctive approach to reflection that makes pondering from a contemplative stance an essential practice in our quest for divine guidance.

Underpinning this work is the presupposition that the Holy is always present to us and always seeking to guide us. The problem is that we are not always open to the divine mystery. The Spirit is continually encountering us and inviting a response. But we seldom recognize the presence of the Holy except in retrospect. It is in pondering our experiences with an eye and ear to divine leading that we open ourselves to being taught by God. Reflecting contemplatively, then, is not only a means to learn from life’s experiences, but also an essential element in the process of discerning divine presence and guidance.

Before I present an overview of the book, a word needs to be said concerning the written reflections included throughout. Most were written by students as assignments in a course on theological reflection. They were selected to reveal the breadth of experiences that can fuel holy pondering. Unrecognized in the act of writing, each came to be a human document of a holy encounter; some more weighty than others. Each resulted in a new perception or what may be called a holy insight. Each is shared with permission and as originally written, except for name changes to preserve anonymity.

A second word needs to be said about the nature and progression of the material. The book comprises a series of ponderings that flesh out the premise that reflecting contemplatively on life’s memorable experiences is a pathway opening to holy insight. While there is a progression in the material, each pondering elucidates a different facet that, taken together, embodies the richness and