In the 16th century, a man was wounded. His old dreams of marrying a princess and being a handsome and well-respected warrior and courtesan were shattered. From his bed, he began journaling and wondering about new possibilities for his life.
Once he was well enough, he left home for good and carried his old sword and armor across the country to his nation’s shrine and stood at military-attention one last time before finally letting that old dream and lifestyle go for good. He climbed down the mountain and thought he’d figure out his life in a long weekend. He stayed in that town in a cave by a river for nearly a year.
Through all of that inner wondering, the Spiritual Exercises were born, four ‘weeks’ of reflections to get to the heart of the matter, what one really wants.
The spirit that animates the Spiritual Exercises is four “choose-your-own-adventure” movements for helping each one of us gain clearer insight into what matters. For each one of us it’s of course different…we might think of the Exercises as questions that invite wondering, dawdling, sipping a cup of tea slowly and staring out the window…and all that reflection leads us to action, to living the life we want. Why? Because we are drawn. By what? A love for life. A love for living.
If you and I both do that, what goodness might begin rippling through the world? And another person, and another person….
Often these Exercises are shared in a religious context. Our renewed version of the Exercises at VITALITY welcomes you to be as you are — religious or nonreligious or unsure. That’s what has always made our circles at VITALITY a welcoming place — you can speak your language or not speak at all and all are welcomed.
We welcome you to use these Exercises to grow in love and possibility in your life.
The Spiritual Exercises
beginning tomorrow/Tuesday night from 6:30 – 8:30pm in-person at VITALITY
each of these gatherings by donation ($10/session recommended):
come to one or come to all, though you must RSVP to me to claim your spot – 513.300.5174
- First Week/Movement: July 22
- Second Week/Movement: July 29
- Third Week/Movement: August 5
- Fourth Week/Movement: August 12
- Living in Bliss/Relationship with ALL: August 19
We’ll have our VITALITY hospitality available…tea, coffee, cold drinks, tortilla chips, hummus, carrots. Please RSVP so we can be expecting you.
The 15th century man’s story described above is Ignatius Loyola…could it be possible that you like him might too be drawn into love and renewed life, even when life seems to be most challenging?
Brian Shircliff
PS…registration for these movement series closes Friday!
Walk with Power using Bones for Life!
Tuesdays from 10:30-11:45am:
July 29 + Aug 5, 12, 19
$91 for the series
Feldenkrais to the Rescue!
Monday nights from 6:30-7:30pm:
July 28 + Aug 4, 11, 18
$85 for the series
