Whitney R. Simpson

Fully Human, Fully Divine

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 13:02:51 GMT

To embody an idea is to give a concept tangible human form. I can see it! I can touch it! Whitney Simpson’s Fully Human, Fully Divine invites us to an embodied Advent—an embracing of the concepts and ideas of the Advent season fully, with our whole selves. Christ modeled for us what it meant to be both fully human and fully divine. This Advent resource invites us to practice our humanity aware of the light of Christ within us. It challenges us to live right here, right now as we await the birth of the Christ Child, the embodiment of God’s presence.

During a season that can often become stressful and overwhelming, we are rarely permitted time to be present in our own bodies. We forget that our bodies are blessed and consecrated. God did not create the body to bring us doubt or shame, instead, God created us as living, breathing human beings who have the ability to live wholly—body and spirit together.

In this Online Experience, we’ll practice along with author Whitney Simpson. Whitney and Upper Room staff will guide us in practices that turn our focus to the body God created and embrace what it means to be fully human. By letting go of external demands and giving ourselves permission to be present as we listen for God in our lives, we can learn what it looks like to notice and pay attention to our bodies.

Each week of Advent, we will focus on one theme: Slow Down and Hope, Simplify for Peace, Sit with Joy, and Savor God’s Love. Within each week, we’ll experience a rotation of daily practices including breath prayer, mindful movement, lectio divina, visio divina (which utilizes beautiful, colorful works of art each week), Christian meditation, creative contemplation, and practicing presence.

Our Online Experience includes:

Weekly live sessions led by Sharon Conley Cottingham and Upper Room staff members. (via Zoom.) Each Wednesday from 12:00-1:00 p.m. Central Time (November 30, December 7, 14, and 21.)
Daily readings through the weeks of Advent (November 27-December 25.)
Guided spiritual practices (daily) via video with Whitney Simpson, audio recordings, and written guides.

Fully Human, Fully Divine

Wed, 18 May 2022 20:38:41 GMT

Fully Human, Fully Divine is an invitation to an embodied Advent. Over the course of four weeks, it encourages us to embrace the experience of the Advent season fully, with our whole selves and remember that Jesus showed us what it meant to be both fully human and fully divine. It challenges us to live right here, right now as we await the birth of the Christ Child, the embodiment of God’s presence in our midst.

In this book, the author, Whitney Simpson, suggests practices that will help us focus on the body God created and embrace what it means to be fully human. By letting go of external demands and giving ourselves permission to be present as we listen for God in our lives, we can learn what it looks like to notice and pay attention to our bodies.

Each chapter covers one week of Advent and each week focuses on one of the following themes: Slow Down and Hope, Simplify for Peace, Sit with Joy, and Savor God’s Love. Within each week are a rotation of daily practices including breath prayer, mindful movement, lectio divina, visio divina (which utilizes beautiful, colorful works of art each week), Christian meditation, creative contemplation, and practicing presence.

The book also includes tips on contemplation beyond Christmas, suggestions for small groups and small-group leaders, and advice on creating safe sacred space for small groups.

Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit

Sat, 14 May 2022 01:18:38 GMT

Many of us long to hear God's voice, yet we often overlook the great wisdom God gave us in our bodies. There is a deep connection between our bodies and spirits.

What might happen if we listened more deeply to the wisdom of our bodies? How might listening with our whole selves change the way we listen to God?

A stroke at age 31 forced Whitney Simpson to slow down and listen more deeply to her body. In the process she discovered how to listen more deeply to God. During her journey of healing and wholeness, Whitney explored ancient practices that she found helpful in connecting her body and spirit, including:

lectio divina (meditative reading of scripture)
yoga
breath prayer
aromatherapy

Listening to God with the entire body, not simply with our ears, may seem like a strange concept. Yet God created the body and the breath as gifts for us to explore. Most important, we don't have to experience a crisis to learn to listen to God's activity in and around us. Each of us can slow down and listen for God just as we are—in breath, body, and spirit.

This 40-day guide to holy listening offers daily meditations that can be completed in as little as 30 minutes. Each meditation includes scripture, yoga postures, a breath prayer, suggested essential oils, and reflection questions. The book provides descriptions and simple illustrations of yoga poses and suggests seated poses as modifications for all poses, making it accessible to both experienced yoga practitioners and those new to yoga.

Allow this book to invite you on a journey of holy listening as you explore ancient tools and new ways of experiencing the presence of God.

Holy Listening with Breath, Body, and the Spirit

Thu, 05 May 2022 20:46:47 GMT

Many of us long to hear God's voice, yet we often overlook the great wisdom God gave us in our bodies. There is a deep connection between our bodies and spirits.

What might happen if we listened more deeply to the wisdom of our bodies? How might listening with our whole selves change the way we listen to God?

lectio divina (meditative reading of scripture)
yoga
breath prayer
aromatherapy

Allow this book to invite you on a journey of holy listening as you explore ancient tools and new ways of experiencing the presence of God.