Spiritual Fitness and Soul Talk

This is your spiritual fitness check in. How is it with your soul?

Are you doing some soul stretching, power lifting, and heart care this week? In my last post I offered four exercises of reflection as a prayer of examen based on the four words: Practice, Presence, Perspective, and Peace. The questions we ask ourselves as regular prayer practice are grounded in the ancient prayer book of the Psalms in what I call soul talk.

“Why are you downcast, O my soul…” (Psalm 42)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul…” (Psalm 103)

“Awake, my soul!…” (Psalm 108)

“I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; my soul is like the weaned child within me.” (Psalm 131)

Soul talk is a bit of a back door into prayer. What starts as talking to my own soul, eventually turns my heart to the God who dwells therein. “Why are you downcast, O my soul?… Put your trust in God.” “Bless the Lord, O my soul… and forget not all his benefits…”

What would you say to your own soul today? How would you address your soul? What metaphor would you use to describe your soul condition (like a weaned child… like a tree… like a storm?) Take some time today to meditate on your own soul and ultimately to turn it all toward the One who knows and loves you best.

Exploring the condition of your soul in a regular rhythm of a monthly conversation through spiritual direction is a great way to set up a “fitness check-in”. I welcome the opportunity to listen to your “soul talk” and to welcome you into a quiet space to listen more deeply to your own heart. Send me an email or click here if you’re ready to schedule a complementary session.