Paula Huston made some videos about her book—these were used by the website Patheos in their book discussion of A Season of Mystery. Enjoy.
- Do you agree or disagree with what Paula has to say about these issues?
- What would you add to this conversation?
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Unable to discern most of the words; sounds like an echo chamber or perhaps someone speaking too close to the microphone.
I enjoyed reflecting on her insights. I am in my fourties and have often been graced with appreciation of the stages of life. I look forward to the “golden age” like Paula said with anticipation of rich spiritualities. Acknowledging, Accepting, and Surrendering brings peace at all stages but especially at the end stage. An end of something is a beginning of another.
As a new retiree I agree that this time of life may indeed offer us time to enhance our spirituality. Books to reflect on this are a fine idea. Wouldn’t it also be grand to have parish based, or community based discussion groups that focus on this comcept?
Great idea! Why don’t you start such a discussion? Much of the time, it’s the person in the pew who is able to get this kind of group going. Let us know if something develops! Peace–Vinita
Thank you for sharing your thoughts from your book. It does help me to take stock of all I am doing and to know that I don’t need to get accomplished everything on my bucket list. I try to reflect more on what God has given me and the abilities he has bestowed on me to be able to help others and to share my knowledge of my faith.
I agree this is a time to reflect, and also to think about how we want to live out the rest of our days, also how we would want others to remember us.
I am fortunate to be retired and have had a Great Spiritual Director for the past 3 years, and I am now starting the 19 annotation in anticipation of applying for an internship program to be a Spiritual Director . Being home in the mornings I am able to spend time with Scripture, journaling and doing the Examen and it has lend me to discern the call to help others find God in their everyday life. Thanks for sharing your video with us. May God bless you with his Graces.
How exciting that you’re embarking on the 19th Annotation of the Spiritual Exercises! I think you’ll find it quite deep and engaging. Thanks for posting–Vinita
During a work related general orientation to our home care hospice program, I was privileged to sit with various disciplines as they discussed the patients on the hospice program. One social worker shared the dying experience of one of her patients. It was so beautiful, and moving. A silent tear ran down my cheek and a colleague turned to me, smiled and said, “you’re not ready for the dark side.” Since that day, I have had many instances to reflect, and to engage in being more of a part of “the dark side.” I have concluded that without faith, the “dark side” exists. Thank God for our faith…for the ability to live in the light, and prepare for our individual call.
I have come to believe that the dark side is an important element of faith. Jungian psychologists refer to our shadow selves, the parts we try to keep hidden because they frighten us or make us feel guilty or ashamed or unacceptable to others. Yet in Christ, all is absorbed into love and even the truly dark parts–those that bring harm to ourselves and others, those that defy the love of God–even those can be redeemed and ultimately used as building blocks to the whole life. I hope you’ll pardon my layperson’s explanation of something that is quite deep in both the psychological and spiritual aspects. Jesus dealt with the dark by speaking truth so that people could choose freedom. The prophets did the same. And the Holy Spirit now dwells within us and operates in our every chamber, light or dark. Thanks so much for posting. Peace to you–Vinita
Oh my goodness…this “Season of Mystery” is one step closer to “cracking the spiritual case.” Thank you, Paula and Vinita, for the powerful reflections and comments. I look forward to sharing these thoughts with my Spiritual Director, as we sit in the sun, and with the Son, and speak further. Thank you, both, so much!