By Jonanthan Huie
For many, the phrase “conversations with God” refers to the Neale Donald Walsch book of that title. Do I doubt that Mr. Walsch has dialogs with God? Not in the slightest. But I don’t find conversing with God to be an exceptional or unusual occurrence. Is it miraculous to speak with God, to gain access to the wisdom of the ages, or just to ask God what he thinks about having maple syrup on your pancakes? Of course it is miraculous, but only in the sense that all of life is miraculous.
Conversations with God are very different from the usual nature of prayer. Prayers are commonly only in one direction – the one praying speaks and hopes God is listening. Prayers also tend to focus on asking for specific things or outcomes one wants, rather than seeking to better understand the mind of God.
Some of you already have daily chats with God. Some, like my Mother while she was among us, have a daily talk with Jesus. Others, are sure that the idea of a personal two-way conversation with God is poppycock. For those who have not yet experienced an intimate exchange of thoughts and feelings with God, let me offer a few suggestions for beginning the process.
1. Don’t expect a blinding light on the road to Damascus. Don’t expect a booming voice offering you stone tablets with the Ten Commandments inscribed. For most of us, the voice of God is very subtle, and can only be heard when we pay attention and listen.
2. Believe. Because the voice of God is usually a quiet voice, the slightest degree of skepticism allows us to dismiss God’s message as just a daydream or as the result of something we ate for breakfast.
3. For some, conversations with God occur spontaneously. For others, structure and intent work better. Try the following sequence and see if it helps:
- Exercise or take a quiet walk for at least half an hour to quiet your body.
- Stand or sit quietly while breathing deeply for five minutes to quiet your mind. If you know Qigong or Yoga, these are even more effective ways of quieting your body and mind.
- In total silence, sit with your back straight, your hands on your thighs with palms upward, and your feet flat on the floor. Raise your head slightly, close your eyes lightly, and raise your eyes. It is natural, and a sign that you are open to communication, if your eyelids begin to flutter.
- State your affirmation that you are in communication with God, and begin your conversation.
4. For some people, the voice of God expresses itself better in writing. Try holding a pen as you talk to God, and let His words flow onto your paper with as little thought as possible on your part.
Don’t be discouraged if intimacy with God evades you at first. You are equally the child of God whether you are able to tune in to a personal dialog with God, or whether stress, worry, and fear interfere and create static on the line. Seek out others who do share intimate conversations with God and let them share with you the comfort they receive from direct communication.
Read Jonathan’s article Unanswered Prayers
Read Jonathan’s Daily Insight & Quote
Jonathan Lockwood Huie is an author of self-awareness books, including Simply An Inspired Life: Consciously Choosing Unbounded Happiness in Good Times & Bad. He has been dubbed “The Philosopher of Happiness” by those closest to him, in recognition of his on-going commitment to seeing Joy in all of life.
** Today is your day to dance lightly with life. It really is. – jonathan lockwood huie **
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Robert,
I am not sure how to translate God’s conversation back to me today. I have just resigned from a grief support group that I have been facilitating for 2+ years now. There seems to be such a negative tug of war going on within the group, the stress for me is so unbearable, that I felt like I had to step away from everyone and no longer be a part of the group. I was starting to feel the distructive powers of stress again and it frightened me.
I know I have disappointed many but I am feeling helpless to know the how/if of the unanswered questions surrounding my purpse to continue with this group.
I have read this Post many timess to find comfort and answers but the answers are still hidden from me. My conversation with God feels silent right now.
Kathleen,
If you feel it’s time to move away from this group then it is. Those who are disappointed will be fine.
When we’re feeling disconnected from God we’re suffering from our own expectations around communication with God.
If we can read posts such as this and let go of how God should show up for us we’ll find a great deal more peace.
Often I think our search for answers and comfort bring us nothing because the expectation that created the lack and discomfort in the first place are held so tightly.
Robert,
Thank you for the reminder. It is hard for me to let go of this group because I am so passionate about the good I see coming from it and I know I was part of the comfort it offered others by sharing my own person experiences.
This is a group of many gifts, the greatest of which is the gift of how we share ourselves with and for each other. I am feeling an over whelming sadness from the conflicts that are at this time beyond my understanding.
Perhaps my stepping away from the group will help the group to heal itself and then I will feel comfortable to return. This has been a very difficult decision and with prayer and God’s help we all will be fine. I believe this.
I agree, “Conversations with God” by Neil Walsch is an invigorating commentary. At the end he asks God “Are these answers coming from you or are they in my own mind.” God answers, They are the same.
I have lived near the Native American people much of my life. They commune with God on a daily basis in a way that the white man would do well to adopt. They do not ask God for things. Rather they thank God for things that they have received and for things that they will receive. Their native dances are a way of thanking God. They go to the mountains to obtain visions from God much in the way that Jesus did.
Don
Don,
Thanks for sharing that. While I’m unfamiliar with Native American practices I have sensed that they are deeply spiritual. Is it any wonder that the white man couldn’t accept their lifestyle/theology?
I just had a internal vision of angry people crucifying the Christ. I’ve never thought of the persecution of Native Americans in that way.
Thanks again for your thought provoking comment.
Robert
Robert,
I agree that GOD speaks with us all the time. We just do not hear HIM and indeed are unaware of HIM speaking to us!
We need to take more still time and make more effort to stop and listen because HE is there and HE desires to speak!
Thanks,
Alice
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