Compassionate listening around the world and across traditions.

As a multi-faith, global learning community and organization that honors the contemplative spiritual practices of compassionate listening, you’d think it would be difficult to help spiritual directors of every faith and community network and connect with each other.

Not true.

While we’ve always felt the ministry of spiritual direction grows stronger by learning and supporting one another, it’s nice to see a study that backs the notion up.

According to the Pew Forum on Religion and Public life, a new major study finds that a “majority of those who are affiliated with a religion do not believe their religion is the only way to salvation.” In fact, “most agree with the statement that many religions – not just their own – can lead to eternal life.”

How wonderful to see this trend towards tolerance, a trend towards more open and respectful exchanges and acknowledgement of practices.

Three cheers to compassionate listening, respect and tolerance.

A recent article on longevity in Maclean’s magazine got Ron Rolheiser thinking: many studies, hints and tips for long life revolve around the same notions of the Sabbath.

Ron states that “much of our tiredness and sense of being over-burdened comes from not having a regular Sabbath in our lives.”

Read his tips for longevity, tips based on observing and keeping the Sabbath:

• Keep Sabbath with the discipline demanded of a commandment.
• Sabbath need not be just one day a week. Sabbath to can be an hour, a walk, a meal, a drink, a chat with a friend. Plan at least one Sabbath-moment every day.
• Every day, even if for just a few minutes, go to some place where you can’t be reached. Cell-phones, email, and electronic communications have made us the most efficient and connected people in history, but they are also making the observance of Sabbath all but impossible. Go regularly to a place where you can’t be reached.
• Honor the wisdom of dormancy, know that when you aren’t doing something that is productive you are giving your soul the time and space it needs to quietly take in the nutrients it requires to remain productive. Buy a rocking chair and sit in it regularly, not thinking, not praying, not talking to a friend, just sitting, your soul a fallow field that is quietly waiting.
• Spend some time in quiet and prayer regularly.
• Be attentive to little children, old people, family, food, wine, and the weather. All of these are non-pragmatic and Sabbath-invoking.
• Live by the axiom: If not now, when? If not here, where? If not with these people, with whom? If not for God, why?
• Stay in touch with and listen to your body. It will tell you when you need Sabbath..
• Drink a glass or two of red wine most days, preferably with others.
• Don’t nurse grudges and obsessions, they, more than anything else, will keep you tired and tense.

Thanks Ron for the great hints and tips.