The Tree of Contemplative Practices

CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES include: Creative Practices, Relational Practices,Ritual/Cyclical Practices, Stillness Practices, Generative Practices, Movement Practices, Activist Practices, & more

​    Our practice is what we do each day. It can be our work, our prayer, our service, even our shopping, our spending or saving, our listening, social networking, t.v. watching  and the like.  It is good practice to look at what we're doing from a higher sort of view or overview, asking: What do I practice? Are my practices in balance with my spiritual and other needs and those of the world as well?  

   from the contemplative mind:
​   Activist Practices

• Pilgrimage to areas where social justice issues are highlighted
• Work and Volunteering
• Vigils and Marches
• Bearing Witness

Creative Practices

• Contemplative Arts
• Improvisation
• Music and Singing
• Journaling

Generative Practices

• Lectio Divina
• Visualization
• Beholding
• Loving-Kindness Meditation

Movement Practices

• Labyrinth Walking
• Walking Meditation
• Yoga
• Dance
• Qigong
• Aikido
• Tai Chi Chu’an

Relational Practices

• Council Circle
• Dialog
• Deep Listening
• Storytelling

Ritual/Cyclical Practices

• Ceremonies and Rituals based in Spiritual or Cultural Traditions
• Establishing a Sacred/Personal Space
• Retreats

Stillness Practices

• Meditation
• Quieting the Mind
• Silence
• Centering