Spiritual Reflection Group – Ministry in Steel Toe Shoes

This group led by Sharon Wylie met from November 2011-April 2012 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, CA. We engaged in the spiritual practice of listening to a text, meditating and reflecting on its imagery and meaning, engaging in a creative response (drawing, journaling, praying), and then sharing our responses within the group. This group offered a grounding spiritual practice and was open to all who were interested. It was formed to provide particular comfort to people managing life transitions: illness, change in employment, loss of a loved one.

April 16 (our final meeting)
From the verse Little Gidding, No. 4 of the Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot:

What we call a beginning is often the end,
and to make an end is to make a beginning.
The end is where we start from.

We shall not cease from exploration
and the end of all our exploring
will be to arrive where we started
and know the place for the first time.

April 9
“How to Stuff a Pepper” By Nancy Willard

April 2 (in memory of Adrienne Rich)
“Power” by Adrienne Rich
This poem is not available online. It can be found in Rich’s collection “The Dream of a Common Language.”

March 26
“Promise of Blue Horses” by Joy Harjo

March 19
“Love Should Grow Up Like a Wild Iris in the Fields” by Susan Griffin

March 12 (brought by Camille)
“To Licinius” by Horace, translated by David Ferry

March 5 (brought by Diane)
Our text comes from the 12th century Sufi Hakim Sanai:

On rubbish pick-up day,

bring everything you own and think you are

down to Trust-in-the-One Avenue.

When you get to the curb,

your real fortune will meet you

unveiled in your own face.

The head of doubt has two ears,

the heart only one.