Finding Flow: Spiritual Practices to Reclaim Inner Peace, Balance, and Wholeness

by Brian Plachta

Overview

Finding Flow provides readers with a simple process to reclaim a close, playful relationship with God. This book adds a spiritual element to the current discussions by psychologists, athletes, and creatives about “flow,” which author brian plachta defines as being one with the Divine Spirit who opens our hearts, allowing us to experience inner peace, balance, and wholeness.
Finding Flow offers doable spiritual practices organized around:
1. Solitude: establishing rituals to spend daily “quiet time” to deepen our relationship with God
2. Spiritual reading: delving into books that teach and inspire
3. Community: surrounding ourselves with people who nudge us to grow
4. Contemplative Action: discovering our unique gifts and talents and using them to make the world a better place
These practices derive from the tradition of Saint Benedict, a fifth-century father of the Church who required his monks to establish a Rule of Life consisting of daily balance between prayer and work (ora et labora). Finding Flow takes Benedict’s timeless wisdom, recrafts it with modern language and personal stories, and makes the monk’s wisdom accessible to today’s readers. †

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780809155576
Publisher:	Paulist Press
Publication date:	04/05/2022
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.38(w) x 8.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Brian J. Plachta is a writer, lay ecclesial minister, and spiritual director. He has a master's degree in pastoral counseling and frequently teaches practical spirituality at retreats, conference centers, and colleges throughout the country, brian is of counsel as an attorney in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the firm he established.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Part 1 Solitude 1

Introduction 3

1 Childlike Flow: Rediscover Life's Natural Rhythm 8

2 "Hang on, Jesus, We're Going for a Ride!": What's Your Name for God? What's God's Name for You? 16

3 Escaping the Tsunami: Schedule a Playdate with God 21

4 Quiet Time Solves Everything: Create Space for Daily Solitude -Connect with Yourself and the Creator 26

5 Give Your Monkey-Mind a Banana: Discover the Gifts of Centering Prayer and Imaginary Prayer 31

6 Can You Hear Me Now? God Has a Voice. Can You Hear it? 36

7 What's a God-Nudge? Do the Holy-Pokey with the Creator 44

Part 2 Spiritual Reading 51

8 Gimme Thirty! Take Thirty Minutes Each Day for Spiritual Reading 53

9 Get the Funk Out: Finding God in the Bookstore 59

10 Find True North: Gather Your Friends and Chew on Life's Wisdom 64

Part 3 Community 71

11 Who's in Your Spiritual Tribe? Consider the Gift of Spiritual Direction 73

12 Discover the Flow of Spiritual Friendships: Oh, Magoo, You've Done It Again I 81

13 Take a Hike! It's Good Medicine for the Soul 90

14 Experience God through Your Body: Discover the Mind-Body-Spirit Connection 96

Part 4 Contemplative Action 105

15 Got Serendipity? Tap into Your Spiritual Gifts 107

16 Stop "Shoulding" Yourself: Befriend Your Heart's Desires 115

17 Take a Heart-Break: Embrace Your Sacred Heart 120

18 A Stroke of Luck…This Is How We Do It! Discover "Order-Disorder-Reorder" as the Wisdom Pattern for Inner Growth 126

19 Are You a Mystic? Doable Spiritual Practices for Everyday Living 133

Appendix: Spiritual Gifts Inventory 143

Notes 157

About the Author 163