Welcoming Prayer
acknowledging God’s presence in the midst of conflict
or distressing physical/emotional situations
The “welcoming prayer” makes it possible for us to “find our way to the same inner alignment that enabled Jesus to do what he did, all the way up to and including embracing his own death” (171, The Wisdom Jesus).
1) Focus or sink in: Acknowledge what is going on internally during conflict or in the midst of distressing or anxious physical/emotional situations;
2) Welcome it;
3) Let it go (but not too quickly).
Kenotic practice at the cellular level requires awareness of sensations:
tightness, bracing, yielding, softening, etc.
n any initial negative response to an outside stimulus immediately activates the reptilian brain, with its highly energized but extremely limited and archaic defense maneuvers;
n never do anything in a state of internal brace – that is, in a state of physical tightness and resistance; you’ll discover it’s not worth the cost;
n the capacity to relax, soften and open activates an entirely different neural pathway, allowing us to draw on a much greater range of our own creative intelligence;
n keeping the right alignment inwardly allows us to stay in the flow of deeper sustaining wisdom (in other words, the mind of Christ).
The welcoming prayer actively imprints kenotic surrender as the innate first response to all life-situations. The practice begins to lay down new neural pathways in support of a deeper flow of compassion/Divine Love.
The time to practice is as close as possible to the actual moment of the upset.
The act of letting go, spiritually understood, is a cosmic energy exchange. It is the power by which Jesus could live and remain true to his path.
Cynthia Bourgeault
The Wisdom Jesus:
Transforming Heart and Mind – A New Perspective on Christ and His Message
Shambhala, 2008
