Episode #22 - Contemplation of Nature with Ro

And… we’re back! The smoky season is upon us, and seeing the mountains feels like a far-off dream. Many of our community are away in India or other places, and here I am, sending off a podcast episode. We love you!

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro and I talk about our recent festival experience, including mango trees, dancing, painting, and singing.

* Ro guides a contemplation of nature meditation. You’ll need to have or see an object of nature for this meditation, so feel free to grab something before you start, or you could pause the meditation part way through to find something. (That’s what we do.)

Here’s the podcast on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

I’m missing walking every day, but the smoke is bad, so I’m hunkering down indoors a lot. Take a walk for me if you can!

Much love,

~ Rae

PS: here are the photos of Kenya and my live art- we mentioned them in the introduction.

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free. Special thanks this week to new patrons, Nick and Beccy!

Episode #20 - Imagination meditation on John 11 with Neil

Hi beautiful ones. I hope you’re keeping warm wherever you are. It’s chilly here, but we’re admittedly soft. 

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro and I talk about how we feel about reaching episode 20 of the podcast, tree signs, Vanna White, a Devotion Circle on spirituality and play, and birthdays. 

* Neil guides an imagination meditation from John 11. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 09:46. (But don’t, because the introduction is not a waste of beans.)

Here’s the podcast on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

I’m thinking about unity and love this week. I pray that you’re feeling loved, wherever you are. 

 Much love,

~ Rae

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free.

Episode #19 - Lectio Divina on Psalm 84:1-7 with Rae

Hi friends! The light is shining through the red-leafed tree next door, and it’s beautiful, but I somehow have cactus spikes all over my hands. This is life.

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro and I talk about our week: visitors, hordes of gardeners, when you run out of steam, beloved people, and tree signs, and we have an update on life at Shekina Community in Goa, including salsa dancing, movement meditation, and Bible circle!

* I (Rae) guide a Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 84:1-7. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 08:50. (But don’t, because the introductions are witty and effusive.)

Here’s the podcast on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

This week I pray that you would think in poems. 

 Much love,

~ Rae

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com  for as little as a dollar a month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free.

Episode # 18 - Lectio Divina on Psalm 119: 104-112 with Chinua

Hi, it’s a beautiful Saturday here and I’m thinking about how I want to truly know that God is taking care of everything. That’s what I’m going to focus on this week. 

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Josh and Ro have a chat about the week, including a prayer bead meditation, visitors coming and going, and a devotion circle about how we tell ourselves the truth. 

* Chinua guides a Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 119: 104-112 . If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 05:30. But don’t, because the introductions are really fun! 

Here’s the podcast on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

I pray that you would wake up with the expectation of traveling through your day with someone who makes all things possible.

 Much love,

~ Rae

***

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free.

Episode #17 - A Meditation for the New Year from Psalm 90, with Rae

Hi everyone! The break has been wonderful and we’re ready to get back into life at Shekina Garden. 

We had a massive Christmas celebration and it rained exactly at midnight on New Year’s Eve, which was wet but lovely for the garden. It’s going to be a full season going forward, and we’re thankful to be here still, in this community of travelers from around the world.

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro and I chat about our Christmas celebration, meals of rice and chutney, Hungarian!, a benediction, and Leaf and Brendan’s move to Chiang Mai. 

* I (Rae) guide a meditation for the New Year or any new beginning, based on verses from Psalm 90. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 08:20

Here’s the podcast on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

I pray that you would run straight into your days… full of hope and the kind of happiness that comes from eternity.

Much love,

~ Rae

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio for as little as a dollar each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to be here in the world. We have all kinds of expenses and your help contributes so much!

Episode #16 - Lectio Divina on Genesis 28: 15 with Brendan

Ah, beautiful things are ahead this week. We celebrate Christmas Eve with our traveler friends, both in the Shekina Community in Goa and at Shekina Garden in Thailand. Tons of food, lots of candles, light and music and stories. 

The next time we post a podcast will be after the New Year as we take a Christmas break. I’ll have the extra audio for Patrons up before the New Year, though. 

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Neil and I chat about introversion, garden beds, and a bake sale. Also, what’s happening at Shekina in Goa, and preparation for our Christmas Eve celebration.

* Brendan guides a lectio divina meditation on Genesis 28: 15. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 06:55.  

Here’s the show on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

I pray so many blessings for you this Christmas. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it! 

Much love,

~ Rae

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free.

Episode #15 - Lectio Divina on 1 Peter 1: 3-9 with Naomi

Hi listeners, I hope you are well! We’re supposed to see the Geminids meteor shower tonight, and Ro and Neil went off camping to see it, but we’re under cloudy skies, so we don’t really know whether it will be visible. Hopefully the clouds will break for a little while. 

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro and I chat about the rainy weather, our benefit concert complete with clowns, the stool that Neil made out wood, and an altogether beautiful week. (PS I promised a photo of the stool but forgot to take one, so I’ll have to get you one next week!)

* Naomi guides a lectio divina meditation on 1 Peter 1: 3-9. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 07:30

Here’s the show on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

I pray that you would feel the gentle warmth of the light of Jesus this week. 

Blessings,

~ Rae

Episode #14 - Lectio Divina on Psalm 40: 1-7 with Chinua

Hi everyone, here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* We have a new patron! Thank you Leona Raptis! This podcast is always free, but you can support it for as little as a dollar a month on Patreon. 

* I was away this week, so Neil and Ro introduce the episode, chatted about passionfruit jam, an excellent discussion on race and white privilege, carpentry, and a benefit concert.

* Chinua guides a Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 40: 1-7. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 06:50.  

Here’s the show on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

This week I pray that you would know the truth of Paul’s words from Acts 17:28 — In him we live, and move, and have our being. 

Blessings,

~ Rae

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free.

Episode #13 - Lectio Divina on 2 Corinthians 12: 9 and 10 with Ro

These days are so golden. The high season is upon us and I’m thinking about our fellow communities as we all gear up for Advent and Christmas. It never snows here, but sometimes it gets cold enough to wear socks on our hands. :) 

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro is back and though she was sick with a cold yesterday, she recovered enough to record the introduction with me. We chat about the week, including music and sunshine, a Devotion circle on worship, saying goodbye, a massive crowd for lunch, and a band of all skill levels. 

* Ro guides a lectio divina meditation on 1 Corinthians 12: 9 and 10, today from the Passion Version. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 10:43 

Here’s the podcast on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

Have a beautiful week. Wherever you are, I pray that even when you go through hard things, you will be satisfied with the richness of God’s presence with you, behind and before.

Blessings,

~ Rae

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free.

Episode #12 - Lectio Divina on 1 Corinthians 13: 1-10 with Neil

Hi, everyone, this is Rae. It’s been another full week here, with holidays (Thanksgiving, which I’ve mostly just watched friends celebrate, and Loy Kratong, an important Thai day) and kids, and community work and life. It has been busy in the best ways.

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* We have a new voice in our introduction. Ro is away, so Neil sat with me for the first time and we chatted about the week, including seeds, yeast and treasure, drying fruit, a tonne of compost, building solar dehydrators, lanterns that go the wrong direction, and mini waterfalls.

* Neil guides a lectio divina meditation on 1 Corinthians 13: 1-10. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 09:13. 

Here’s the show on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

Be well this week. If you’re celebrating Thanksgiving, take lots of time to rest and reflect. Wherever you are, really soak it in: you are loved by God, fully and tenderly and fiercely.

Blessings,

~ Rae

**

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free.

Episode #11 - Lectio Divina on Psalm 13 with Rae

I’m writing this late on a Friday night. In many ways it has been a great week. Today I found a road I had never explored and filled my eyes with the beauty of this valley. But there was a lot of sorrow in the news this week as well, and it caused me to search out the Psalm that begins, How long oh Lord? That’s what I have for you today. 

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro and I chat about the week, including sitting around in offices waiting, thankfulness, rugby kids, sowing flowers, and harvesting roselle. 

* I guide a Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 13. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 09:00. 

Here’s the show on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

I pray that you will know the gentleness of God’s love for you, all through every day.

Blessings

~ Rae

Episode #10 - Contemplation of Nature with Chinua

Hi, Rae here. How amazing that we are here at the tenth episode of the podcast! I’m back in Pai, decompressing after many weeks of having a packed schedule. I’ve taken things a little more easy this week and I’m feeling much better. Just the smell of woodsmoke in the air is restorative.

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro and I have a little chat about the week: guiding meditation at a Women’s Retreat, transformation, art meditation, and the intoxicating cool season air.  

* Chinua guides a beautiful contemplation of nature meditation. If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 08:45. You will need to have a object of nature to hold or look at for your meditation, so take a little walk and find one before you start! 

Here’s the podcast on iTunes. 

Here’s the episode on Youtube.

This week I challenge you to reach out to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. After a busy couple of months I got to talk to my brother today, and it was so good to connect. I pray for good connections and relationship in your life. 

~ Rae

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free. Thanks especially to our new patron, Matt Tresser! You are wonderful.

Episode # 9 - Lectio Divina on Zephaniah 3:14-17 with Ro

Hi! I’m away at a women’s retreat so this episode is going out a day late. Sorry about that! The time here has been beautiful and restorative, though. I’m thankful for every bit of beauty in the gardens around here, for weather that is cooling down and for so many beautiful people in the world.

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro and I have a little chat about a Very Special Visitor, a worship circle, the extra audio for this month, part singing, and weeds like trees (again.)  

* Ro guides a Lectio Divina meditation on Zephaniah 3: 14-17. (If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 10:18)

Here’s the episode on iTunes. 

Here it is on Youtube.

I pray that this week you would notice the beautiful light of morning each day. Be well, dear ones.

~ Rae

Episode #8 - Imagination on Luke 10:25-37 with Neil

Hi everyone. The sky is full of lightning this evening, with warm, wet air blowing through my window. 

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* I give the introduction on my own, since Ro is away for a couple of days. I talk a bit about the past week, including Christmas-size lunches, unconditional love, a few useful words, more weeding, and a bake sale. 

* Neil guides an imagination meditation on Luke 10:25-37, the story of the Samaritan who stopped to help an injured man. (If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 09:03)

Here’s the episode on iTunes. 

Here it is on Youtube.

This week I pray you have a glimmer of excitement about the days to come, like when you were a little kid watching the rain. 

~ Rae

***

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free. Thanks especially to our new patron, Matt Tresser! You are wonderful.

Episode #7 - Imagination on Luke 8:22-25 with Miri.

I just drove a car load of teenagers to a youth retreat and now I’m recovering from a very chatty four hours in the car, posting this in a quiet space. (Aaahhh.) I love those kids.

Here’s what to expect in this episode of the podcast:

* Ro and I chat about the last week, including community lunches that have been full to the brim, dance meditation, planting seeds, forgetting about the sun, and a beautiful Devotion Circle.

* Miri guides an imagination meditation on Luke 8: 22-25. (If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 09:13)

*Also, during the introduction, I talked about an art piece that my fourteen-year-old daughter did in response to a dance meditation this week. Here it is:

Dreamy.

Here’s the episode on iTunes. 

Here it is on Youtube.

Here’s the podcast and blog Facebook page.

I pray that you feel scads of joy this week, wherever you are. 

~ Rae

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free. 

Episode # 6 : Lectio Divina on Psalm 126 with Rowan

This week I’m posting from theRiver Gathering in Chiang Mai. It has been such a full week, so full to the brim with goodness and thoughts and connections that we are overflowing. 

Here’s what to expect in this episode:

* Ro and I talk a little about the gathering, including dance meditation, wrestling contests, new and old connections, and amazing worship. 

* Ro guides a Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 126. (If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 08:30)

Here’s the episode on iTunes. 

Here it is on Youtube.

We have a Facebook page up if you want to follow us there.

May all the love and mercy you need flow freely to you and through you this weekend. Much love.

~ Rae

***

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free to travelers and spiritual seekers from around the world.

Episode #5 : John 14: 1-7 with Joshua

How exciting to already be on week 5 of this little podcast. (This is Rae.) It has been a hot, sticky, busy day here in Thailand and it feels good just to take a moment to send this out. 

Here’s what to expect in this episode:

* Ro and I talk about our week, discussing Devotion Circle, a successful surprise, friends who are in town from around the world, and what is happening next week! 

* Joshua guides a meditation on John 14:1-7. (If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 08:30)

Here’s the podcast on iTunes. 

Here it is on Youtube.

We have a Facebook page up if you want to follow us there.

Many blessings for the weekend, wherever you are. Remember God’s mercy, flowing all around you.

***

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free. 

Episode #4 : Imagination meditation on the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' robe, with Rae

(Rae here.)

We’ve been so busy with life but one of the gems right now is being able to guide meditation. I hope today’s meditation speaks to you.

Here’s what to expect in this episode:

*Ro and I have a short chat about life right now including rainbow salad, contact dance, city life, and being glad to be home. 

*I guide an imagination meditation based on the story of the woman who came and touched the hem of Jesus’s robe. (She was so brave.) (If you want to skip straight to this, it’s at 07:05)

Here’s the podcast on iTunes. 

Here it is on Youtube.

We have a Facebook page up if you want to follow us there.

Many blessings for the weekend. Love one another and remember that you are so, so loved.

Episode #3 of the Podcast! Imagination meditation on John 13:1-17 with Neil

Hi everyone, this is Rachel. I hope you have had an excellent week!

The podcast is live on iTunes, so you can subscribe there if you like!

Here’s what to expect in Episode 3 of the podcast:

I tried something new this week and created this episode without any background music. We normally meditate without music. Let us know what you think about the difference. Music? No music? 

* Ro and I do an update of life around here this week, including uncles, camping dreams, housecleaning, and a quiet week.

* Neil guides us in an imagination meditation on John 13:1-17 (If you want to skip straight to this part, it’s at 08:34.) 

Enjoy!

The Youtube version is here :)

***

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. We're so thankful for your support, which helps our communities to offer this kind of meditation and other Christ-centered practices for free. 

Episode #2 of the Podcast! Psalm 119:25-32 with Chinua

Hi, Rachel here! Here’s what to expect in Episode 2 of the podcast:

* Ro and I do an update of life around here this week, including pita, a river of people, controlled fells, weeds like trees and bees with knees.

* Chinua guides us in a Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 119: 25-32 (If you want to skip straight to this part, it’s at 07:33.) 

Enjoy!

The Youtube Version is here, if that is what you prefer. 

***

The podcast will always be free, but you can support us on Patreon.com and get extra audio each month. Thank you to new patrons: Alison, Maja, Kesselfam, and Susan! We're so thankful for your support!