O God, Where art Thou?

Do not disdain your body

for the soul is just as safe

in its body as in the

kingdom of God.

-Mechtilde of Magdeburg

But what do you do if you were violated, abused, raped? Trampled on, reduced to trash, betrayed, emotionally and psychologically murdered?

Such is the challenge of this children's hospital chaplain who bought my book and wrote me for help with her 'kids'? Her clientele are adolescents, mostly girls, who were abused. She wanted body prayer poses for her kids but with some warning. She said her kids can not and will not do poses that exposes the chest, that pushes the pelvis forward, that sticks the tail out, that makes them squat, that asks them to lay down either on their backs or on their tummies.

Just imagine moving within that prison cell. If you can call that movement. It is an emotional and psychological straight jacket. It is like being held back by an invisible electric fence. Venture out, and it will be hell. Stay inside, and it is hell. Imagine living like that.

How about you? What are you afraid of? What past experience holds you back from freedom, from dancing out of sync, from singing out of tune? What makes you cry?

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from helping me,

from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer;

And by night, but find no rest.

But I am a worm, and not human;

scorned by others, and despised by the people.

O my help, come quickly to my aid!

- from Psalm 22 (NRSV)

Lover man, oh, where can you be?

The night is cold and I'm so alone

I'd give my soul just to call you my own

Got a moon above me

But no one to love me

Lover man, oh, where can you be?

-Billie Holiday

Today, as I walked to lunch from my office to my favorite soup place, the weather was perfect: a little cool to the skin, and the sun was out. I heard myself whistle Billie Holiday's song, Lover man. Beautiful tune. 

Because of my daily prayer with the Psalms, most of the time what my faculties perceive turn into lectio (holy reading). When this happens, prayer happens, and delight and joy bubble up. Prayer for me is union with God. And who wouldn't be joyful to be present with the Divine. 

It helped too that the song sounded like something from the Song of Songs. I looked it up and wow...

Upon my bed at night

   I sought him whom my soul loves;

I sought him, but found him not;

   I called him, but he gave no answer.

‘I will rise now and go about the city,

   in the streets and in the squares;

I will seek him whom my soul loves.’

   I sought him, but found him not. 

How about you?  What popular songs meant for human lovers can you turn into songs between you and God? What would it feel like if you imagined that God is singing the song for you?

Seek His Face, said my heart.

And so I will seek Your Face,

O God.

Rabbouni!

Rabbouni, it is Thee!

Yes, Mary. I Am.

Do not hold on to me

And stop your weeping.

Instead, tell my brothers and sisters

That I have risen as I promised.

That I triumphed against death and darkness.

That Love, the greatest of them all, endures all things.

Now instead of mourning, rejoice.

Instead of crying, give praise.

Instead of worrying, give thanks.

Always in all ways.

For I Am with you,

I never will leave you,

I always will be with you,

Here, now and forever.

Amen.

What makes your material important, different, controversial, or stimulating for a non-specialist audience?

• This prayer book offers the only prayer practice focused on moving, reflecting, and living our prayers based on the Psalms, the most embodied text in our Holy Scriptures.
  For traditional Christian worshippers, the movements suggested in this prayer book might be a little bit controversial if they are uncomfortable with the idea of including some yoga postures with Christian prayer.
• Doing the poses in this book has the potential to affect the health of the physical being. The movements stretch and strengthen muscles and joints, promote balance and flexibility in both the body and the mind, and help improve the respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and nervous systems. It brings awareness to the body, not just in relation to prayer, but in relation to physical stewardship.
• “The various prayer components are arranged in a repeated pattern, like good ritual: opening invocation, psalm prayer, silent reflection, praying with the body, heart, and soul, sitting with the Divine Presence, living your prayer, contemporary psalm, closing prayer.” (Foreword)
• This is a prayer book that contains the four basic ways of praying—oral, mental, affective, and contemplative. (adapted from the Foreword)