My Journey Back Home
Laura Longville
My recent journey back Home is a spiritual one. It is a journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation. It is a journey that led me back to my true self and deepened my relationship with the Triune God.
My journey back Home began with a longing for something more. Last year, my journey was a pilgrimage with a few close girlfriends to a sanctuary in the Chama Valley of New Mexico. This experience left a lasting impression on my soul, and I yearned for more.
This year, I went alone. For the last month or so, I tried to talk myself out of coming. “It’s too far. Ten days is a long time to be gone. I’ve been gone a lot; I should stay home.” But deep in my heart I knew I needed to make the trip.
This desire was God’s invitation to me to embark on a journey back Home. Home is me. Home is God. Home is the union of both.
What moved me to take a pilgrimage like this?
This pilgrimage to the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in New Mexico was out of my comfort zone. It’s a place literally in the middle of the high desert of New Mexico, nestled in the beautiful Chama Valley; quiet, serene, isolated, and run by Benedictine monks. They share their daily lives, inviting me into their practice of singing their prayers through chanting and working alongside them.
Mostly, I was left to be. Be with myself. Be with God. Be in Nature. Be alone or with others. Be silent and still. This is what drew me to retreat and to take a journey so far from my physical home. It’s a place and space designed specifically for this purpose.
The journey back Home can be challenging. It involved sitting with uncertainties, getting quiet in “my own skin”, listening, deeply listening to my heart and the sweet whispers of God. My time also included identifying and letting go of old patterns and beliefs. I recognized that technology steals so much of my time and energy.
However, it is also a journey of great joy and discovery. As I traveled deeper into my heart, I noticed the loving gaze upon me by my Faithful Father. I also began to experience a deep sense of connection to Him and all of creation.
Many different paths can lead us back Home. For me, taking a pilgrimage to this monastery brought me Home. Some people find their way through traditional religious practices, while others do so through meditation, prayer, yoga, or other spiritual disciplines. There is no right or wrong way to journey back Home. The most important thing is to be open to God’s invitation.
Here are a few tips for embarking on your own spiritual journey back Home:
Listen to your desires for more. These longings are your inner compass, guiding you on your journey. Pay attention to the whispers of God and accept his invitations, even when they lead you in unexpected directions.
Be open to change. The spiritual journey is a journey of transformation. Be willing to let go of old patterns and beliefs that no longer serve you. Embrace change and allow yourself to be transformed into the person you are meant to be. Try something new, like going to a monastery or getting away for a day or two.
Be patient. The spiritual journey is not a race. It is a journey of discovery. Be patient with yourself and allow the journey to unfold in its own time.
Here are a few practices that can help you on your spiritual journey back home:
Meditation. Meditation is a powerful practice for calming the mind and connecting with God. There are many different ways to meditate on God’s word. Put a resource here.
Prayer. Prayer is a way of communicating with God. Getting away by yourself, being quiet and becoming still all facilitate a two-way conversation with God (prayer).
At my monastery retreat, I dove deep into Centering prayer (CP) and Lectio Divina (LD). I learned so much more about CP. In CP, I enter the silent land of my own being where God is. It allows me to deepen my connection with God and recognize my union with Him. Thus, intensifying our relationship.
Lectio Divina helps me to slow down, use my imagination to link my heart and life experience with the person of the Scripture. Both CP and LD are powerful prayer practices.
Spending time in nature. Spending time in nature is a great way to connect to Home to find peace and solace. Go for walks in the park, hike in the woods, or sit outside and enjoy the beauty of creation.
The spiritual journey back Home is a lifelong journey. It is a journey that is full of challenges and rewards. As you travel deeper into your own heart, you will discover God, your true self, and a profound union with the Triune God.
May your journey Home be blessed.