Breathing Under Water – Part 1

Posted on February 9, 2013 by livingasapprentices

My life-long journey is walking with Jesus as his apprentice.  The path AND the destination are the Kingdom of God.

Today I’m at the edge of a new adventure! This side trip is a on-line journey with Fr. Richard Rohr and the Center for Action and Contemplation. The class is called Breathing Under Water. Its intent is to integrate the Twelve Steps into  our spiritual formation journey.

As I was contemplating the title last nightdrwoning, it occurred to me that this world operates like an ongoing tsunami.  We are all under water and in danger of drowning; we all need a life jacket. The pairing of the 12-step process and spiritual formation seems to me to be a very powerful life jacket.

I have attended many 12-step meetings in the past decades.  The best of them – the ones that follow the traditions and work the 12-steps – are holy places.  I have always thought that the Twelve Steps embody the major task of spiritual formation:  surrender.

I also was privileged to visit the Church of the Savior in Washington D.C. a few years ago.  One of the hi-lights of that trip was attending a 12-step spiritual formation accountability group.  It incorporated the best of both worlds and was a memorable experience. Since then I have dreamed of  bringing that process to my congregation.

In his book Breathing Under Water, Fr. Richard describes our journey this way:

We suffer to get well.
We surrender to win.
We die to live.
We give it away to keep it.

That sounds like my journey.  This should be great!  Stay tuned.

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2 Responses to Breathing Under Water – Part 1

  1. livingasapprentices says:
    February 12, 2013 at 1:48 am

    I am excited to talk with others, like you, Kathleen, who value the 12-step journey.

  2. Kathleen says:
    February 10, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    Excellent. I am glad to hear this. I have often thought the church should incorporate the twelve steps. I’ve read a book or two about the spirituality of the 12 steps and have learned significant things that have help me in my daily life and spiritual walk. It was a surprise to see this one today. A couple days ago I joined the “Center for Action and Contemplation” newsletter email. It must be a God thing.
    Blessings to you Karen.
    Kathleen

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