by Rev. Cindy Senarighi RN
The Scripture ~ “Blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers. Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season. Jeremiah 17:7-8 The Message
The Spiritual Focus ~ On the journey of life it is ok to stop and ask for direction. ~ Unknown author
The Breath Prayer ~ Inhale ~ I Am, Exhale ~ All in
The Devotion ~At the beginning of every trip there is a moment when we wonder if we have everything we need for the journey. Did we forget anything? Most of us come to the conclusion that whatever we don’t have, we don’t need and we settle in and go forward. Once we free ourselves of doubt and stop worrying, we can turn our attention to the hoped-for experience of the journey. We can be “all in.” Being “all in” is being committed, being rooted in our resolve to experience the journey we have chosen but may not yet be fixed on a particular destination. Our Lenten journey is rooted when we are open to wander and wonder, trusting that God is “all in” with us for this journey.
One way yoga philosophy talks about rootedness is through the chakras or energy centers. The root chakra (muladhara) is at the base of the spine and is associated with the color red. We practice rootedness in asana when we identify the points in each pose where we can ground down and find safe, even sacred, space in our bodies. In our faith practices we find that rootedness when we return to the biblical stories that remind us that we can trust God in all things. God re-plants our roots in places where we can thrive, where we are serene, calm and worry-free.
Our Lenten journey is rooted in God’s promise to be with our both beautiful and broken, imperfect selves. It is an opportunity to be “all in.” Creating a mantra that keeps us rooted physically, emotionally and spiritually is a spiritual practice much like rewriting scripture or lyrics. An example of a mantra used in a yoga class is, “I am connected to all that is around me. This connection gives me a strong foundation.” Creating a mantra that supports our Lenten journey is a practice that roots us in the resolve to be “all in.
