Soulistry.com

June — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 05:26:35 +0000

last night I saw
beauty
experienced
grace,
touched the holy

it was brief

in just a few moments it
was gone and in those
seconds the colour, the contrast of sky
and trees, the sacredness of it all took away
my breath and wonder filled
my soul and peace entered again

afresh

“O”

June — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 05:18:55 +0000

In the Jewish tradition when someone dies, friends and family often leave a stone at the grave. There are several reasons for this, but for me, because stones don’t die, I find them to be a reminder that a gravesite is a holy place.

Lately, I’ve been discovering some Facebook posts are holy places for me. Sometimes I leave a note. Sometimes I click “like”. And sometimes, when what has been written is received as ‘holy’ – when my heart is touched – when the tears are close or flowing – when my soul soars – when I experience Grace – when I see holy Presence in the words – and I have no response, I just leave a simple “o” because for me, the “o” (the shape of a stone) represents the Oneness that unites us and expresses holy words.

Life’s Lessons

June — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 05:06:37 +0000

Lessons abound each day … opportunities to develop spiritually; be challenged intellectually; discover things about other people, about God, about ourselves. Sometimes, learning is rich and wonderful, exciting and a gift; sometimes learning is difficult, discouraging and yes, even hurtful

The question is, who would want to live a life where there was no personal growth? Not me. I want to be a student who is willing to receive Life’s Lessons – like this one which I learned many years ago.

Such wisdom. Truly, life is far too short and too precious to allow such people to be a negative influence and drain our time, energy and spirituality.

Soulistry Book Review – Susan Kipp

June — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 16:01:23 +0000

Bigger Than It Looks, January 5, 2013

I’ve been reading Soulistry for five days now, and I am only on the second page. I think this little book is bigger than it looks! I have read many good books on creativity, inspiration and spirituality, but this one is different. It’s a guide, but not a how-to book of activities and projects. Journaling is strongly suggested, but not required. The format is simple: a quote (journal prompt) followed by questions to ponder.

A myriad of topics from aging to mystery to God are touched upon. The book can be read in a day, or it might take a year to get through it. Every prompt with its set of questions stands on its own. I would suggest that the reader become familiar with the back of the book which contains the epilogue and the appendices before reading and working with the prompts and questions.

June Maffin knows that a good teacher does not give students answers, but instead poses questions that will lead the students to the answers.

Personally, I find journaling to be a powerful tool as a prelude to doing art especially if it incorporates calligraphy. The quotes (prompts) and Soul-Questions of Soulistry become a vehicle for transforming the written word into a visual concept. Journaling facilitates the transformation with deep personal meaning.

So, the journaling becomes imagery, a sketchbook. Soul + Artistry = Soulistry. (Amazon review)

Soulistry Book Review: Patte Leathe

June — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:59:41 +0000

Bk Review: Patte Leathe (Amazon reviewer)

This book is a wonderful tool to getting inside the creative process, delving into the spiritual aspects of creating art.

Sharing this process was a wonderful gift from the author.

Healthy Grieving

June — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:24:18 +0000

We all grieve. Some grieve privately; some grieve publicly; some grieve when and where they need to; some have short moments when they allow themselves to grieve; and some shove their grief down deep inside them and carry on only to find the grief erupting years/decades later in unsuspecting ways.

When we don’t find ways to name our grief, to face our grief, to deal with our grief, the next time something comes along that represents ‘loss’ to us, the building blocks that help us deal with grief in general are missing so our time of healing is often more difficult than it might be had we dealt with each moment of loss as it happened.

Loss of any kind – a loved one; employment; housing; financial security; family pet; limb; eyesight; income; mobility; hearing; intellect;  relationship; chronically-ill partner/spouse/close friend, etc. affects us whether we want to acknowledge that or not.

Mourning the loss of a relationship, the loss of a loved one, dealing with health issues, financial concerns, the loss of their job, family pet, eyesight, income, mobility, hearing, intellect, etc. – we seldom give ourselves time to do healthy grieving. Being gentle with ourselves is important whenever we encounter stress (and ‘loss’ of any kind is stressful) in our lives. Making time to grieve our loss is vital to our overall health. Over the years, countless people have participated in the “Healthy Grieving” workshops and retreats I’ve run, but over the years, I’ve come to realize that for some, such settings are too public for them.

So, I created a Healthy Grieving Ritual for Individuals and hope that it is of help to those who continue to grieve the loss of any kind. The Healthy Grieving Ritual can be done at any time – soon after a loss; long after a loss; once; multiple times

This Healthy Grieving Ritual involves the lighting of 4 candles, quiet reflection, inspiring quotations to ponder, quiet music in the background.

* As each candle of four candles is lit (hopefully in a darkened or semi-darkened room to get the full effect of light emanating from the candle), it might be helpful to have some quiet music in the bg or be in silence. Turn off the tv/loud music/cell phone and try not to begin this ritual when others might make demands on you. This is your time. As you speak/think each phrase, do it slowly, reflectively. There is no need to hurry.

* You might choose the same colour for each of the four candles or mix and match your candles because of the symbolism associated with specific colours: blue – the colour of hope; white – the colour of wholeness; red – the colour of love; green – the colour of growth; purple – the colour of spirituality – your/your loved one’s favourite colour.

Directions are below. The words you say can be said aloud or silently in your heart. To begin … take a few slow, deep breaths inhaling a sense of peace – and exhaling that which brings anxiety. When your breathing has slowed down …

light the first candle then say … aloud or silently in your heart:

“I light this first candle to remember those persons who have been loved and are no longer are part of my life in any tangible way. I pause to remember him/her/them.” (Give yourself time to remember and name him/her/them.)

Then say or think: ”I give thanks for a memory that connects him/her/them to me.” (Give yourself time to do this).

Conclude by saying: “May Eternal Love surround him/her/them.”

[Silent time for reflection and some gentle, deep breathing]

Light the second candle then say … aloud or silently in your heart
“I light this second candle to redeem the pain of loss.” (Give yourself time to think of whatever and however you are experiencing loss at this time)

Then say or think: “As I gather up the pain of the past, I offer it, asking that the gift of peace, of shalom, of wholeness be placed into my heart and open hands.” (Give yourself time to do this)

Conclude by saying: “May I be refreshed, restored and renewed.” [Silent time for reflection and some gentle, deep breathing.]

Light the third candle and say … aloud or silently in your heart
“I light this third candle to remember myself … I pause and remember the past days, weeks, months (years): the down times, the poignancy of memories, the grief, the sadness, the hurts, the anger, the pain of reflecting on my own mortality. If there is need for forgiveness – I offer it now, knowing that forgiveness is not forgetting, but it is letting go of whatever binds me to negative thought. I choose to forgive the other, forgive myself (forgive God if this is appropriate to your belief).” (Give yourself time to do th

Conclude by saying: “May I remember that dawn defeats darkness.”

Take some time to reflect (in your Journal, in your thoughts) on the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail” (first attributed to Confucius who wrote “Our greatest glory is not in never falling down, but in getting up every time we do”

… and on the words ascribed to Buddha: “You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection”

… and the words of Claude Bristol: “It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. Once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.”

[Give yourself a silent time of reflection and some gentle, deep breathing]

Light the fourth candle and say … aloud or silently in your heart:
“I light this fourth candle to remember the gift of hope. I give thanks for that which is good in my life and name those people, situations, abilities, gifts, strengths/etc. for which I am grateful.” (Give yourself time to do this)

Then say: “May I remember the words of Anne Lamott: ‘Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up”. Take some time to reflect in your Journal, in your thoughts) on the words of Pierre Teillard de Chardin: “If the only prayer you utter is ‘thank-you’, that would be sufficient” … and on the words written on a wall at Dachau prison — “I believe in the sun even when it’s not shining; I believe in the stars even when I see them not; I believe in God even when I don’t see God” … and the words of Earl Riney put it: “The stars are constantly shining, but often we do not see them until the dark hours.” (Give yourself time to do this.)

[Give yourself a silent time of reflection and some gentle, deep breathing]

Bring this ritual to a conclusion by saying: “Amen. So be it. Amen. (“Amen” simply means “So be it.”)

With the saying of “So be it – Amen,” it is time to do something for yourself: a long, leisurely hot bath; a steaming hot cup of tea/hot chocolate; time spent writing in your Journal; a walk in the outdoors; some quiet time in the darkness looking at the lit candles; listening to some gentle music. Whether you are aware of it or not, there are people who are “with you.” You are not alon

If prayer is something that brings you comfort, you might want to say the following aloud or in the silence of your heart at times when the darkness that comes with grief – or the darkness associated with the season of the year (Hanukkah, Christmas, Winter Solstice) – is difficult to bear:

“God/Creator/Holy One (whichever is most appropriate for you to use), I come to you at this time, with the pain inside me. As the nights grow longer, so has the darkness wrapped itself around my heart. In this season of our longest nights, I offer you the pain in my heart, the trauma of loss that I cannot put into words.

Compassionate One, death has changed my experience of this time of the year. Once it was a special day for me, but someone special has died. This Season seems to bring forth a grieving over what might have been. I ask you to be with me and help me through the difficult moments as the Christmas Season/ Hanukkah, Winter Solstice reminds me of all that used to be and cannot be anymore. The memories of what once was, the fears of what may be, disquiet my soul. All around, I hear the sounds of celebration. But all I experience is a sense of feeling blue. Please be near me at this time and even if I do not believe / no longer believe /or my belief is fragile, I offer this prayer “Help my unbelief … and bring healing to my soul.”

Soulistry Book Review: Phyllis Tickle

June — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:54:29 +0000

Maffin has given us a real gift in “Soulistry”.

Unlike far too many books on spiritual matters, “Souistry” offers all comers a cordial and restorative way into the exploration and care of the interior life.

www.phyllistickle.com Phyllis Tickle is the founding editor of the Religion Department of PUBLISHERS WEEKLY and was Academic Dean to the Memphis College of Art before entering full time into writing and publishing.

Soulistry Book Review – Hana Komorous: The Diocesan Post

June — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 15:17:57 +0000

June Maffin delivers what the subtitle of her book promises, “Creative Ways to Nurture Your Spirituality”.

Starting with the invention of a new word “SOULISTRY,” she guides her readers through the creation of a journal and lets them find their own “answers within”. She brings to the writing of this book an impressive educational background (ordained Anglican priest, PhD in pastoral theology among others) and a wide range of experience. However, the impact of an illness she suffered and the process of her healing became the primary impulse for writing this spiritual autobiography. Her approach combines spirituality and creativity.

The structure of the book offers a step-by-step guide to spiritual journaling. It is complex, yet easy to follow. The main and most important step is to move through the Journal Prompts and their Soul-Questions. This step is the crux and the purpose of the book.

The 86 Journal Prompts are inspirational quotations from extraordinary people from different centuries. Among those represented are priests (Herbert O’Driscoll), writers (Mark Twain), poets (Rainer Maria Rilke), philosophers (Lao Tzu), mystics (Julian of Norwich), monks (Thich Nhat Hanh), artists (Michelangelo), as well as proverbs. Some of the quotations and their authors are well known, others less so. All of them prompt a thought provoking response. Each quotation has a title such as Mystery, Faith, Happiness, Peace Within. The following Chinese proverb prompts the feeling of happiness. “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”

Each Journal Prompt is accompanied by Soul-Questions. Together they are meant to stimulate the reader’s spiritual response and awareness. The title Happiness, for example, with its Chinese proverb prompt is followed by these Soulistry Soul-Questions:
* Do “being happy” and “being joyful” have the same meaning for you?
*   If not, what is the difference?
*   What contributes to your happiness?
*   In your Soulistry Journal, reflect on a time in your life when you were happy. What was the occasion/circumstance? How did you feel?
*    How can helping another bring happiness to the helper?
*   What can you do to “help someone else” on a regular basis?
*   Are there individuals, or community/environmental/political/religious organizations you might help? Journal who they might be and how you might be able to offer to help them.

In Dr. Maffin’s own words her book will encourage the readers to connect more intimately with their spirituality and offer new ways to nurture their spirit. In the Epilogue she asks the last question: “ Who are you?” Having journaled through the prompts and questions, the answer(s) may surprise the reader.

The remaining parts of the book provide biographies of the quotation authors, listing of the prompts and soul-question titles, the Soulistry story and Soulistry retreats and workshops.

Dr. Maffin’s book is useful even for those who are not able to journal. It can be used at any time, any place, on any page at any prompt and it will immediately lead the reader to a moment of spiritual calm.

SOULISTRY should be kept as a guide for contemplation. And that is where the value of this slender volume lies.

Hana Komorous, Librarian, Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, BC

Soulistry Book Review – Tom Evans

June — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 14:03:03 +0000

A Book You Can Take With You !!, 23 Aug 2011

By Tom Evans “Author of Art & Science of Light B… (Surrey, UK)

Soulistry is a simple book yet incredibly complex. It is a small book but hugely big. You can read it in an afternoon yet it can take a lifetime (or lifetimes) to fully absorb.

There is a saying that there is only one thing you can take with you – your evolution – and one thing you can leave behind – your art. Thanks to June Maffin, the wisdom is this book is something you can take with you and what ‘soul-full’ art she has brought to the planet.

Soulistry Book Review – Sharon Lippincott: StoryCircle

June — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:16:18 +0000

I gasped in delight as I pulled Soulistry from its shipping envelope and saw the delicate image of dandelion seeds drifting on a gentle breeze. I smiled at an image of June Maffin’s thoughts wafting like the seeds of that dandelion, and wondered if they would sprout and multiply like the humble dandelion in souls around the world.

I was not disappointed. The slender volume packs a virtual universe into 144 pages. The seeds are contained within 80 quotations and the probing questions that follow each. These pages contain enough journaling prompts to keep a person writing for years, exploring and expanding with each small thought. The source quotations demonstrate the expansiveness of Maffin’s personal spirituality, including Christian classics such as St. Augustine and Thomas Merton and branching out into the whole world — American Indian, Chinese proverbs, Lao Tzu, Buddha, Michelangelo, Mark Twain, Anaïs Nin, Desmond Tutu, Dalai Lama, Jesus … Without an overt word, she demonstrates that faith and spirit transcend boundaries of limiting belief structures.

The quotations and question-prompts would be a rich meal unto themselves, but she doesn’t leave it at that. The book begins with a brief Preface explaining how to get the greatest benefit from the book and a short Prologue that gently nudges anxiously questioning minds into soothing channels of encouragement. Any reader will appreciate at least a couple of her six appendices. She gives simple instructions for making your own Soulistry Journal volume and tells the inspiring story of the health affliction that led her to discover the combination of soul and artistry. Two more appendices will appeal to the inner organizer or librarian within many readers. She gives brief background sketches of each quoted person and lists the quotations alphabetically by the titles she assigned.

Even if you never write a word, this uplifting volume will give you plenty to think about, but your life will be much richer if you do record your responses to prompts. Orderly souls may prefer to begin with the first and work their way through in an orderly fashion. Free Spirits may pick and choose, selecting those quotes and prompts that resonate most strongly on any given day. Some may prefer to write simple, spontaneous answers and move on. Others may spend hours over a period of days or weeks drilling deeply into specific questions, fully mining their riches. However you use this book, your life will be richer for letting Maffin’s simple seeds take root in your soul.

Sharon Lippincott
StoryCircle Book Reviewer

http://www.storycirclebookreviews.org/reviews/soulistry.shtml