Mind Fasting

2022 March Blog by Anne Butts ~ I am a creature of habit so the seasons of Advent and Lent in my faith tradition give me a chance to be at home in my “religious” habits while asking me to take stock in how these seasons inform my spirituality. I need seasons that cause me to pause and discern. Weeks before the seasons I am intentionally noticing how God might be informing my focus.  I was helped along in the process this Lent since I am a facilitator for one of the Lenten Monday evenings.

While vacuuming my great room instead of sitting at the computer to write this blog entry, I gazed at the family photos on the sofa table. There among framed loved ones is the Scripture passage, “Wherever your treasure lies, there your heart will be.” Luke 12:34.

That has me thinking about my treasures and whether my treasures reflect my heart’s desire.  The season of Lent encourages interior examination and guides us with the principles of prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

The time I give to prayer, especially contemplative prayer is one of my habits since finding Centering Space five years ago. Almost every week I gather either in person or on Zoom to join with others to “listen to their hearts and hear the voice of God” as the mission statement asserts.

Fasting is taking on a new meaning for me this year. I am going to practice “mind-fasting”, my topic for the Lenten evening. How do I attend to my own thinking as a way of quieting my “active mind” to open more to God?

That leaves almsgiving and how I use my resources, especially money. I was recently educated in the meaning of philanthropy, and it took me by surprise. It translates to “love of human beings”. It makes no mention of how wealthy the giver is, only where the intention lies. That brought me back to Centering Space and how my giving reflects how I see it as a treasure. I love to think of myself as a philanthropist!! I am aligning my giving with a mission that has given so much to me. Whether it be weekly or seasonal, the opportunity to make time with others to be quiet, inspired and supported is the treasure of my heart. Might it be yours too?