Contemplative Practice

By Kristen Adams

The Glory of God is man fully alive. - St. Irenaeus

This morning was the perfect setting for one of my favorite contemplative practices; running after a snowstorm in the beauty and brightness of a new morning. (I'm so lucky I
don't work until later and I didn't have to practice the not so fun "contemplative communting").

The crispness and the bright blue sky beckoned to me today, and I forwent my previous plans to head to a yoga class. The cold seeped in quickly, and then just as quickly I forgot my discomfort as I started taking in the frozen air and the beauty of the frozen crystals floating around me, making me feel like I was being given diamonds for breakfast. I warmed up, and the cold was momentarily forgotten until I rounded a new corner, and was in the shade for a time. So, running in and out of the sun was distracting, but so invigorating, I had to laugh. And, cry a bit. The cold brings tears to my eyes, and I love that I have gloves with "sniff guards" on them.

I wanted to challenge everyone to try a contemplative walk, hike or run in the first week of Lent. Or even make a commitment to do one each week for the seven weeks of Lent. It has only come about for me in the last 3 years, but I specifically run a "contemplative trail run" every Sunday morning on one of the Front Range trails of Jefferson County. I cannot tell you how meaningful and healing this one two-hour time is for me each week. I will look forward to all of your own expressions of this kind of tuning in to God's voice.

Here are a few tips:
You can do this anywhere: around your neighborhood, around the closest park, or on a trail. If you would like to try an open space trail, they are easily accessed from Denver, they have good maps, good trail markers, and good facilities. Go to
http://co.jefferson.co.us/openspace. My favorite: Apex or Deer Creek Canyon.

If you have them, wear or bring your yaktracks. This will prevent any slipping on ice this time of year. If you don't have them and want them, go to REI or Runners Roost, and pick up a pair for a cool $20. They have become my #1 favorite winter accesory.

Dress in Layers and start out "cold", wear things you can unzip and tie around your waist. You will get warm. Wear a hat and gloves. These are easy things for you to remove as you warm up. Bring a small water bottle, or wear one around your waist so your hands are free to swing.

Try not to use an ipod or any kind or music. Listen to your breath. Concentrate on breathing deeply, all the way down to the triangle your pelvis bone makes with your hips, and then expelling for over 4 seconds. If you get distracted by other thoughts, try to go back to concentrate on breathing, which focuses you on the immediate present. Listen to your heart. Allow yourself to feel how your body feels, especially the pain or the discomfort the cold may be causing.

After you return from your walk/jog/run, sit down and write what was brought to your heart, if there was something specific. Or, if there was nothing, don't worry. There are many times there is nothing specific that I was in touch with. Just the vigorous exercise was enough to bring some peace to my soul in this busy world I live in.


Here is an excerpt of what was going on with me this past Sunday;

I started noticing the small things; how the ice and snow made these beautiful patterns and hung over the small trickle of the stream. And, just the sound of the stream was beautiful. I am often brought to tears on my trail runs. Probably for the pure fact that I do not allow myself moments of complete adoration of the beauty around me, and it overwhelms me. There is a heard of deer (mostly female with babies) I have often seen, but have not seen them this winter for a while. But, I pay close attention to the sides of the hills and notice their tracks everywhere.

It is slowly starting to emerge as I allow God to show me that all of the gifts he gave me are actually not bad; they are amazing; and they are worthwhile. It has taken so long for
me to realize this. There have been people in my past that I have allowed to tell me that my gifts are unimportant, or just hobbies. And, probably over the last 5 years, I have realized there is a hunger and a huge need for those of us who can understand and communicate through nature and other's cultural differences the nourishment for the soul. I am excited for what is emerging through my gifts in my life. God is so magical.

~Kristen