a book and Pip

Some thoughts on a book

I've enjoyed reading Spirituality for Extroverts. I'm going to look into some similar literature and see if the subject of Introvert/Extrovert spirituality might go well as an Adult Forum topic in the spring. Here are a few characteristics of extrovert spirituality:
-Desire to talk about spiritual experiences with others
-Like to be actively involved
-Meditation is focused on relationship (rather than a particular concept or mantra)
-Singing and movement are helpful ways to pray

I had never stopped to consider the fact that wanting to share my spiritual experiences with others and being curious about theirs was an extrovert characteristic. But once I read that, I immediately realized why so many of my introvert friends (including my DH) seem to have a hard time with the concept of "evangelism." They apparently don't have a strong need to blab about every little thing that crosses their minds (including spirituality), and therefore have to make a concerted effort to talk about important subjects. I'm sure that's way oversimplified, but still. Given the fact that mass-market, you'd-best-agree-with-how-I-think-God-wants-you-to-feel-right-now-or-else pressure salesmanship b.s. is the most often proffered model for "evangelism" in our culture, I can see how an introvert might just run for the hills at the mention of the word. At least an extrovert would be blabby enough to just up and vocally disagree with the idea that God's kingdom only can come when a person sees the Lord in the same way as oneself. (I'm not saying that all extroverts are open minded - God forbid, or we would lack pundits entirely - but at least extroverts more readily have an option for easily talking about ideas "outside the box" just because they talk more easily.) I suppose that maybe introverts evangelize one another, using their keen skills of blogging and not offending half the population?

The second aspect I listed helped me understand myself better. I have a hard time feeling connected with ideas or projects or missions or loving if there's no fray into which I might enter. It's just easier for me to function spiritually if I have an outlet for shaping or at least talking about things. That has a lot to do with my particular spiritual gifts, not just the fact that I'm an extrovert (or an omnivert, really, because I also have some introvert characteristics). But I sometimes worry that it looks to others like I'm overly involved in church projects- possibly for nefarious purposes or unhealthy motives? (I'm guessing here)- when it's really just that I feel the power of God and its accompanying joy and peace more fully when I'm actively involved. The tendency in extroverts to want to be more actively involved is apparently one of the often misunderstood characteristics of their spirituality.

I really liked how the author delineated between extrovert and introvert ways of meditating. I find the whole "empty your mind" or "focus on a word" while letting go of all other thoughts way of meditating to be just odious, so I was glad to find that it's not the only way to meditate spiritually. Extroverts apparently usually focus on relationship with God, and our "meditation" is characterized by "longing." That's such a helpful distinction for me, because I pray that way a lot, just waiting in longing for God until a sense of hope or warmth infuses me. But only now do I know that it's a way extroverts meditate.

I've always felt much more prayerful when I could sing or walk or both while praying, so I'm glad to see these means of spirituality acknowledged and affirmed.

A major cultural misconception the book challenges is the idea of spirituality as an inward, solitary experience. Most extroverts have been discouraged from thinking of themselves as spiritual because of the stereotype of the lonesome meditator in a field or cell or wherever. [Aside: If you spell it meditater, it conjures images of a potato resting on a pillar in lotus position.] Seriously, google image search "meditation" or "spirituality." No groups of cheerful extroverts walking about singing, are there? (Or even cheerful introverts - dude, no wonder church attendance is down).

Well, I'll leave that subject for now until I finish the book. There's a chapter on corporate worship and a chapter called "tips for introverts" still to come.

Pip

Pip has been playing a lot with his mobile and his mirror. He smiles a lot at both as well as at us. He's already able to push his bottle away with his hands when he has to burp. We've noticed that he's ahead of the curve on a lot of social and language skills - mouthing expressively to "talk" to us and his toys as well - and we wonder if playing the tapping game in utero helped.

Smiling at Poppa.

Smiling at Momma.

Kicking back in his crib.

So cute.