Touched by the Spirit

by  Tiffany Montavon

Increasingly, I find that cultural expectation is that I will lead a “busy life.” Family and friends often begin their invitation to dinner with “You’re probably busy, but if you want to try getting together….” It’s in my new cell phone instruction book, pg 42: “use this feature to manage your busy life.” They don’t have to ask; they know that being a cell phone owner in North America means I need help organizing not just my life, but my “busy life.” I read on my Starbucks coffee cup this morning: “Your life is a race; this is the pit stop.” Our culture regularly affirms that busy is the norm, and purchasing certain accoutrements will support me in living this life.

Yet, I don’t know anyone who feels rested and vital as a regular way of being. While my cell phone does provide opportunity for connection, it doesn’t offer respite. The coffee provides a measure of renewal, but this false energy only lasts so long. A paradox of our time is that the faster we move through life, the more we know, somehow, of the importance of slowing down. Some of us may have practices which support a healthy life including nutrition, rest, pleasure, and exercise. But few of us consider these part of our spiritual practices, connecting body, mind, and spiritual life. In recent years there has been a surge of resources for what used to be called “alternative health,” and now is called “complimentary practices”: “Spirituality and Health,” “YES!” and “Simple Living” magazines, The Center for Mind Body Medicine, and findthedivine.com to name just a few. While our culture is indeed “busy,” there is also increasing interest in integrating mind, body, and spirit.

Call to Renewal

What is it that draws us away for replenishment; renewal? For some, it is physical crisis. Linnea Nilsen Capshaw found she couldn’t bring her interest in a healthy spiritual life to her career in professional health care management. Linnea’s back went out twice, causing any movement to be excruciating. Despite working with medicine, physical therapists, and doctors, it wasn’t until Linnea went on retreat, slowed down, and “listened to” her back that she realized she simply had to find or create a career in which she could integrate her body, mind and spirit.

For others, it is transition. The Reverend Jean Milliken has just left her position as Canon at the Washington National Cathedral and is ready for a new call to healing ministry.

Still others have learned to tune in to their body to see what is needed. After recognizing the compartmentalization of her own life, Mary Ka Kanahan hired a personal trainer to help her get back on track. In these one-on-one conversations, realized how her faith was part of the motivation to “become a better steward of the abundant life God intended.” She began to incorporate time at a local retreat center walking the labyrinth, hiking trails while praying, or resting in the Zen peace garden. Mary Ka says of that time, “I found myself in the midst of nature, moving my body, engaging my mind and replenishing my spirit.”

My own call to incorporate my body practices with my spiritual life began as I cared for my mom for four months while she was dying from brain cancer: reading, listening to sweet music, driving around to find the best cheese-broccoli soup, writing goodbye letters for her, brushing her teeth, and finally just laying with her and holding her. These were my tasks; to help tend her body as her spirit let go. In this process I began to learn a measure of self-care, taking long walks every night with my two dogs, punching the air in frustration, and crying my prayers. I began to learn that God is praying with me in the teeth brushing, the walking, and the sweet, painful release.

Through the last 10 years my experience on Faith At Work Women’s Events has provided much sustenance for the journey, inviting and evoking creative dialogue with Spirit through collage, movement, stretching, singing, clay, walks outside, and deep sleep. Once again the women’s ministry is trying a new kind of event: a combination of ‘our usual’ small group activity, working with a spiritual theme “Touched by the Spirit”, and something new, spa services. The location of the retreat is a lovely Inn, next to a modest spa. Women who would like to experience spa services can do so during free time. It may be that an overnight away in a beautiful setting with others in the faith journey may be enough of a spa experience. You may want to hike the WV hills, or sit in the warm springs. We are learning that nurturing body, mind, and spirit doesn’t have to be expensive, it simply involves creative resourcing.

Our theme for this retreat is “Touched by the Spirit” and this is our prayer for women: to come away with other women of all ages, sizes, life experience, and faith backgrounds, to drink from the well of grace. We hope you’ll join us this fall in Berkley Springs, West Virginia (where George and Martha Washington sat in the warm springs!) Often, this is our “women’s way:” to come together, talk, learn from each other, relax, laugh, and rest. Somewhere in there, mysteriously, the Spirit creates with us. Touches us. Renews. Connects us. Reminds us that indeed we are creations of God, meant to live in balance in body, mind, and spirit.  

More Information about the November 4-5, 2006 Event...

Photograph (L-R): Linnea Nilsen Capshaw, Jean Milliken, Mary Ka Kanahan, & Tiffany Montavon.