Spiritual Book News Volume 55, No. 3

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FEATURED SELECTION April 2010

A P U B L I C A T I O N O F

S P I R I T U A L B O O K A S S O C I A T E S

Volume 55, No. 3 / April 2010

www.spiritualbookassoc.org

W ATER , W IND,E ARTH, AND FIREThe Christian Practice of

Praying with the Elements Christine Valters Paintner

Organized around “The Canticle of the Creatures” by St. Francisof Assisi, Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire is the first book to con-

sider the ways in which praying with the natural elements can enlivenChristian spiritual life.

Paintner offers concrete suggestions and guided contemplative exer-cises; for instance, Paintner suggests that readers take time to “watchthe sunrise or sunset and breathe in the beauty of the fiery sky. Con-template what those beginnings and endings have to say in your ownlife.” Readers benefit from Paintner’s extensive training in theology and Benedictine spirituality, as well as her unique work in bringing the

expressive arts to spiritual direction.

ISBN: 9781933495224 / 160 pages / $14.95

A PREVIEW OF THE MAY SELECTION

EXPERIENCING GODThe Three Stages of Prayer Thomas H. Green, S.J.

Internationally renowned author Thomas H. Green, S.J., walks readersthrough the life of prayer, guiding them from getting to know God, toa stage of growth, and finally to a stage of love, intimacy, and a deepexperience of God.

ISBN: 9781594712456 / 128 pages / $10.95



M YSTICS IN THE MODERN W ORLD

A s I placed the groceries in the car that snowy weekendafternoon, I glanced at my arm and was reminded of one

of my first theological lessons. Dozens of snowflakes were onmy black coat sleeve, the contrast highlighting their brilliantdetail and design. “God made each of us like a snowflake,” Iremembered my mother saying, “unique and beautiful in hiseyes.” I was busy and preoccupied in the moment, prepar-ing for dinner guests. Yet even in my haste and distrac-tion, these gentle reminders of God’s great creativity andlove gently fell, inviting me once again to deeper relation-ship with him. There in that grocery store parking lot Ihad a mystical experience.

Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements is filled with moments like this.

Author Christine Valters Paintner explores the essential role

nature plays in our spiritual lives. Through events from Jesus’ministry and quotations from scripture, Christian mystics, art-ists, and Native American spirituality, she shows how theelements are relevant to the spiritual life today.

Paintner’s work is at once an invitation and challengeto the contemporary Christian mystic. Christian mysticsseek a deeper experience of God through the witness andteachings of Jesus. Many of us may not describe ourselves as“mystics,” but certainly those who follow the teachings of Je-sus are seeking to draw closer to God. “I am the way and thetruth and the life,” said Jesus. “No one comes to the Fatherexcept through me” (Jn 14:6, NAB). The closer we follow

Jesus, the closer we’ll be to God. Through scripture and ex-amples from his life, we see that Jesus was a mystic who re-treated to the desert to seek the Father’s solace to refreshhis spirit. Paintner says that throughout the Christianscriptures:

…we find the four elements represented in multiple ways. The Spirit is represented as both wind and fire.The living water of baptism is a central symbol for our self-understanding as members of the Christian com- munity. The communion feast springs from the gifts of bread and wine, earth’s nourishment.

God uses these elements to express himself, as each illus-trates a dimension of God: the wind as powerful force and“life-giving breath” of spirit; the fire of illumination orpurification; water that cleanses and soothes; and the“groundedness” of earth as the foundation of livingthings. Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire: The Christian Prac- tice of Praying with the Elements invites the pray-er to incorpo-rate each of these elements into his or her spiritual life. Thesefour elements aid the mystic in the journey to deeper experi-ences of God. They each reflect a dimension of God, and yetare the simple stuff of our earthly existence.

Praying with the elements may pose a challenge to tradi-tional devotional practices that place God outside our human

experience. In this approach, the Christian mystic experiencesGod as both immanent and transcendent. God is transcendentas creator of all and giver of life, yet God is also immanentreflected in the marvelous detail and interdependence ofthe created world. The Christian mystic embraces both asevidence, and experience, of God.

For example, the experience of God as immanent andtranscendent is revealed in what are known as “Ah-Ha Mo-

ments.” An Ah-Ha Moment is when one has a sudden burstof insight, when grace breaks through with new informationand reveals to us a new paradigm or approach to a situation inour lives. The transcendent, or something outside ourselves, isthe catalyst for the insight—a song, a scripture passage, a scene

from a movie, an insight of a child, a snowflake—that causesus to reflect. The immanent dimension is the internal shift,the deep knowing that we’ve “hit gold.” In the Ah-Ha

Moment, God is moving in the external circumstances totouch us, and he is there internally in the recognition of histruth and beauty.

This is the heart of praying with the elements—to recognizeGod in the gritty realities of life, and celebrate in gratitudethe gift of life and God’s presence there. The mystic is dou-bly blessed by praying this way. First, in the time set asidefor prayer, we experience God’s intimate love in our heartsSecond, through a daily prayer practice, we are predisposed to

recognize God’s presence as we engage in the day’s activi-ties.

In addition to Paintner’s insights and experiences, sheshares the wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Catherine of

Siena, St. Francis of Assisi, Hildegard of Bingen, and othermystics, poets, and writers. Each brings their own voice tothe wonders of God expressed through creation. Each has“walked the talk” in his or her own spiritual journey. Paintnerand her sources recognize the grandeur of God in nature, andcall the reader to adopt an appropriate asceticism to honor andpreserve our earthen home. Beginning mystics and seasonedtravelers will find inspiration in their words and a timely call

to stewardship as well. The prayer guides, reflection ques-tions, and rituals (including a Lectio Divina for each ele-ment) present new ideas to incorporate the four elementsinto our spiritual journey.

Water, wind, earth, and fire present themselves to us inmany different forms. Whether solid, liquid, gas, or somecombination influenced by temperature or light, each offera poignant theological lesson. Each invites us to surrender toGod’s magnificent power and to know at the core of our be-ing that we are uniquely created and loved by Him. As Paul

wrote to his beloved church in Ephesus, so he speaks to Chris-tian mystics today:

,his

-

, art-e

ex-e-

illus-



R E A D E R ’ S G R O U P G U I D

May the eyes of (your) hearts be enlightened, that you may know what is the hope that belongs to his call, what

are the riches of glory in his inheritance among the holy ones, and what is the surpassing greatness of his power for us who believe . . . which he worked in Christ, raising

him from the dead and seating him at his right hand in the heavens. (Eph 1:17–20, NAB)

Whether in cathedral, mountain top, or parking lot, Godpower is vibrantly present.

FOR GROUP ENRICHM ENT

W ater, Wind, Earth, and Fire is a wonderful introductionto the rich history of the Christian practice of praying

with the elements. Newly formed groups or those that have

been meeting for a while will both benefit from its insightsand teachings. Weekly meetings devoted to each of the fourelements are recommended.

Each section includes questions for further reflection, many of which will aid group conversation. Prior to the meeting,the facilitator should choose two to three questions for discus-sion. The prayer environment is very important; be sure toinclude a warm display of the element that will be the focus forthe meeting. Where possible, share a suggested ritual from thebook, or simply step outside for a few moments. Group mem-bers are invited to breathe deeply and take a look around atthe natural world. At the beginning of each meeting, read one

of the quotation from scripture or other contributors included

in the section. Following the scripture reading and silent reflection, take the selected questions in turn and discuss. Participants might also bring in a song, poem, or video related t

the element of discussion to share with the others. Followin your conversation, end the meeting with spontaneous prayerof gratitude.

Here are questions for your group’s consideration:

How did God reveal himself to me in nature this week?

How have I honored creation this week in a “green” way?

How can we, as a group, make a difference in our stewardshiof creation?

Recall an Ah-Ha Moment from your week. How did you feeGod’s love and presence in that moment?

A N A CTIVITY FOR PERSONAL ENRICHM ENT

The format of Water, Wind, Earth, and Fire: The Christian Practice of Praying with the Elements adapts well to a busy

lifestyle. The prose and poetry of this book flow easily in eachsection devoted to one of the four elements. Use it daily, or fora private retreat, either on your own or with the companion-ship of a spiritual director. The book’s accompanying reflec-tion questions and rituals are rich in meaning, so be sure togive yourself enough time to really “dig into” the answers.

As you study each section, use a journal to write your re-sponses. Be sure to reflect on each ritual experience in your

journal as well. In addition to the book’s questions, here are afew to consider:

How has my perception of these elements changed throughprayer?

Which ritual held the most meaning for me? Will I recreate on a regular basis?

How have I honored creation through good stewardship dur

ing the past week? the past month?

In each section, identify a quotation which you found upliftinor inspiring.

Include a daily gratitude list in your journal.



W EBSITES OF INTEREST

A BBEY OF THE A RTShttp://abbeyofthearts.comCreated by Christine Valters Paintner, PhD, REACE, OblSB, the Abbey of the Arts site is a kind of virtual monastery—existing as an online com-munity through classes, reflections, and resources that integrate contem-plative practice and creative expression. Her primary work is to integratespiritual formation and contemplative practice, rooted in the Christiantradition, with the healing practice of the expressive arts and the cyclesof the natural world.

PRAYING N ATURE www.praying-nature.comPraying Nature is hosted by the Franciscan Friars of the Irish Province inGalway, Ireland. Inspired by the life and spirituality of St. Francis of Assi-si (who realized that flowers, animals, birds, and all created beings praiseand glorify God just by being themselves!), Br. Cathal and the friars offerreflections and resources on the lives of St. Francis and St. Clare of Assisi,as well as the spirituality of ecology and peace. Tour the holy prayer spots

of Ireland by following their detailed map—photos included!

OBLATE SPRINGhttp://oblatespring.com/index.htmCreated by a Benedictine oblate from a Catholic Benedictine monas-tery in Florida, this site is for anyone interested in Benedictine Oblates

or Benedictine Spirituality. This website provides Internet resources onBenedictine monasticism, including prayer guides and links to newslet-ters and programs from several different abbeys, Vatican documents onmonasticism, and Lectio Divina methods.

Documents

Spiritual Book News Volume 55, No. 3