Perhaps you've been missing out. God has given us five senses and a brain with two sides. Yet we often approach God in one way only: through words that are analyzed and processed logically in our left brain. The right brain, however, is the creative, intuitive center—the place that connects most to our seeing, smelling, touching, tasting and hearing, and that roots experiences in our hearts in transforming ways.
In Awaken Your Senses, longtime ministers Beth Booram and Brent Bill invite you to engage your right brain in your faith through sensory spiritual practices that position your heart for divine encounter. Readings and a variety of exercises that utilize your whole body lead you to experience God in new ways by
tasting chocolate, words, matzoh, Scripture, forgivenessseeing the moon, wisdom, art, glory, your best selftouching others, stones, prayers, rubble, Jesushearing silence, music, pain, footsteps, the Spirit, the newssmelling gardenias, life, salty air, home, healing oil, coffee
Teaching you to pay attention in love to your surroundings, Booram and Bill will help you open your eyes and ears and nose to a sensuous faith—one in which God can be experienced each day as we live and move and have our being.
So whether you're weary, stuck, struggling, growing or on information-overload, the exercises and reflections offered here can bring refreshment—a cold drink of water, a gentle breeze—to your soul. Come experience God with all of who you are, and discover more of who he is.
Introduction Part One: Taste Art Reflection on Tasting
1. Introduction
2. Tasting Forgiveness
3. Keeping Kosher
4. Cravings
5. Spiritual Smorgasbord
6. Tasting WordsPart Two: See Art Reflection on Seeing
1. Introduction
2. Creaturely Insight
3. Reframe and Refocus
4. Reflecting Glory
5. Going Off Grid
6. I See the Moon Part Three: Touch Art Reflection on Touching
1. Introduction
2. Textures
3. A Pile of Stones
4. Touching Absence
5. Feeling Your Prayers
6. Touching Jesus Part Four: Hear Art Reflection on Hearing
1. Introduction
2. Soundtrack
3. Footsteps
4. All the News
5. Recurring Themes
6. Dinner Conversation Part Five: Smell Art Reflection on Smelling
1. Introduction
2. Smells Like . . . Worship
3. Hospitals
4. Sea Salt and Midwest Mulberries
5. Organic Sweat
6. Wake Up and Smell the Communion Conclusion: Rhythms that Ground Us Sensory Exercises:
Additional Activities for Practicing a Sensuous Faith Resources for Awakening Your Senses Notes Permissions Acknowledgements Connecting with Authors
ashleya1
Posted June 5, 2012
I'm not finished, yet, but there are some very interesting concepts in this devotional-style book. One of my favorite illustrations was comparing the bitter taste of vinegar to the bitterness that takes over your heart when you refuse to forgive someone. Imagine always having the taste of vinegar in your mouth! That's what your heart "tastes" like when you hold grudges. Very interesting connections between the physical senses and our spiritual senses.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.But then, in all honesty, I'm the co-author. Still, Parker J. Palmer, Carrie Newcome, James Bryan Smith, Juliet Benner and others agree!
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Overview
Perhaps you've been missing out. God has given us five senses and a brain with two sides. Yet we often approach God in one way only: through words that are analyzed and processed logically in our left brain. The right brain, however, is the creative, intuitive center—the place that connects most to our seeing, smelling, touching, tasting and hearing, and that roots experiences in our hearts in transforming ways.
In Awaken Your Senses, longtime ministers Beth Booram and Brent ...