This week we invite you to do a walking, or movement based, meditation practice with your group using the readings from the gospel. Below is a recording of the gospel reading for you to use, or you can select people to read the gospel for each of the three parts. As you feel comfortable, take time to share your experience with the group at the end.
How to engage with the practice:
First, find a place outdoors where you have room to wander or, if you aren't able to go outside, spread out in an indoor space where everyone will have enough room to move about the space. You will play the recording (or read it out loud) a total of three times. While the gospel is being read, move slowly and intentionally about the space you are in. If you are outside, walk slowly, paying attention to the sensations in your body. If you are inside, walk slowly around the room paying attention not only to your body but to those moving around you. Be aware of your sensations as well as where you are in relation to other people.
After each reading, stop walking and take a minute or so to close your eyes and tune in to your body. Where are you holding tension? What parts of the story bring up feelings of discomfort or challenging questions? Take a moment to hold these questions and feelings, without trying to answer them, and see where you feel this discomfort in your body. If you feel like it, respond to this tension with some sort of movement of your body as you stand in place. Then listen to the reading two more times, taking the same steps after each one.
When you have listened to it all three times move slowly back to your seat and share your experience. What tensions arose in you? What questions did you feel in your body? Take some time to check in with each other and share your experience with the group.