I was raised in church, and spent a year at a small bible college in Arkansas. Suffice to say, I know how to pray. But after many years away from church, coming back to a spiritual practice looks and feels much different.

For me, praying and meditating are, at their core, the same thing. I focus on vocalizing my gratitude for blessings in my life, raising up the difficulties and challenges I and others are facing, and listening for the voice of the Divine to share anything else I need to be considering.

Creating Space

The place I go to meditate is in our sun porch. It is surrounded by windows, so there is lots of light, and a view of the giant oak trees that shade our back yard.

I pull an old quilt out of the cedar chest my grandfather made for me, and lay it on the ground, folded a few times for comfort.

I also light a candle before I start. The one I’m currently using is a combination of lavender and chamomile (called Gnome Stubble) made by Love Struck Candle Co. The scent and the flickering light help my brain create the habit of getting centered. I also take off my glasses, which makes it easier to focus on the candle and just see colors and shapes outside the windows.

What I’m Learning 

The most productive part of my practice has been learning to accept whatever comes at me. I have even found myself feeling grateful for the challenges, because they often uncover a truth I had overlooked about my attitude, or polish a rough spot I didn’t know needed polishing.

This week’s “Quilt Quote” is more of a breath mantra – words I let circle around in my head as I settle my breathing:

Breathe in grace, acceptance, & compassion.

Breathe out judgement, fear, & distraction.

I’ll be sharing a little about my meditation practice here and there going forward, including the Quilt Quotes that come from them. I’d love to hear how you pray or meditate – what time and place works best for you?