Belong, Become, Behold, Bestow: Four Poems for the Movements of Creativity and the Spiritual Life
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 45 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
"Imagine writing to belong, become, behold, and bestow as four points along an immense bright spiral of light rays extending in all directions along the curving trajectories, each resplendent and brilliant…”
“Each point along the golden spiral of light serves as an invitation into this continuous cycle. You can enter any time through any posture of belonging, becoming, beholding, or bestowing, then dart and pulse along the spiral—upward or downward, inward or outward—as you find your way to whatever comes next.”
-Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life
Pause.
Sit in silence while taking three deep breaths. Use the phrases below for a breath prayer or breath meditation on each of the inhales.
Inhale: Belong
Exhale.
Inhale: Become
Exhale.
Inhale: Behold
Exhale.
Inhale: Bestow
Exhale.
Repeat as many times as you like.
Prompt.
Read the poems below that intersect with the elements of my framework for noticing the intersection of creativity and the spiritual life:
Belong
“How To Be Alone” by Pádraig Ó Tuama
Become
“Insomnia” by Jane Kenyon
Behold
“Beholding the Hare” by Eamon Grennan
Bestow:
“The Pulley” by George Herbert
Practice.
Set a timer for 10 minutes and journal or take notes in response to the quotes and poems above and the questions below.
Which poem has the most energy for you? Why?
Which poems have good things for your creative life?
Which poems have good things for your spiritual life?
How might these poems companion you in the coming days and weeks?
Want More?
Read Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life.
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Flourish Anyway with Rhythms, Rituals, & Retreats
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon.
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