Praying With Our Hands

by Sweeney, Jon M.

• ISBN13: 9781893361164
• ISBN10: 1893361160
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-10-01
• Publisher: Skylight Paths Pub

Summary

In this inspiring book of reflections and accompanying photographs, we see how our bodies, in particular our hands, can give meaning to our prayers in a way that words alone cannot. Each demonstrates the various approaches of the world's religious and spiritual traditions to bringing the body into prayer.

Table of Contents

Foreword	11	(4)
Mother Tessa Bielecki
Acknowledgments	15	(4)
Introduction: How Do We Pray with Our Hands?	19	(10)
All of Life Is Sacred if We Know That God Is Present
Work as Prayer	29	(2)
Holiness Is Right Before Our Eyes
Welcoming the Sabbath	31	(2)
Hungering for God
Accepting the Holy Eucharist	33	(2)
When We Find Our Center, We Find God
Welcoming the Deity	35	(2)
Relationships Are Built Over Time
Table Grace	37	(2)
We Are Divine Agents in the World
Resisting Evil	39	(2)
Adoring the Divine Close at Hand
Praying with Icons	41	(2)
True Freedom Comes from Letting Go
The Cosmic Mudra	43	(2)
We Are Expressions of God to Each Other in Community
Laying on of Hands	45	(2)
Yearning for the One Whom We Cannot See or Touch
Dancing with God	47	(2)
Sharing God's Goodness
Breaking Bread	49	(2)
Linking to the Divine
Counting Honor	51	(2)
Our Bodies Are Sanctuaries for God
Daily Honor	53	(2)
Humility Requires Practice
Foot Washing	55	(2)
Separateness Is an Illusion
Showing Compassion	57	(2)
Setting Aside Sacred Space
Making an Altar	59	(2)
Reverence Can Begin with the Hands and Train the Heart
The Sign of the Cross	61	(2)
An Engaged Spirit Cannot Help But Show Itself
Practicing Lovingkindness	63	(2)
God May Come at Any Time
Receiving the Spirit	65	(2)
Consecrating Ourselves
Holy Water	67	(2)
Reconciliation with One Another and with God
Passing the Peace	69	(2)
Conclusion
Embodied Prayer Is an Expression of Who We Really Are	71	(4)
Afterword	75	(4)
Taitetsu Unno
Photographer's Notes	79	(4)
Source Notes	83	(2)
About SkyLight Paths	85