Week 25: Orthopraxy
The author of this week’s essay asks: “How do we change our conditioned responses from the wounds inflicted by our families of origin so that we don’t harm our own children? Either parenting becomes our spiritual practice, or we bequeath the damage to another generation.”
She concludes that we don’t need the practices of specific religious traditions to do this – parenting is the spiritual path, or a spiritual path. If you ask me, the spiritual path of parenting is best done in religious community, because it gives you companions for the journey. I imagine that’s why many of you bring your families to this church! Spiritual practice and religious faith are important, and help support one another.
After you listen, some questions for reflection…
- Does your family have any rituals that help keep your focus on your ideals and help you live them with integrity?
- When we encounter things in our children and parenting that frustrate us, that we see as a problem needing a solution, what if we approached them with love, not control? What difference does relationship-building with our kids make? How can this become a spiritual practice?
With you on the adventure,
Rev. Beth
