This week the season of Lent begins. After we’ve eaten our fill of pancakes, many people around the world will mark Lent by giving something up for 40 days – maybe caffeine, social media or cake.
Lent originates as a Christian festival, marking the 40 day period Jesus spent in the Judean wilderness. As he spent time alone he went without food and it was written that he faced temptations and trials before emerging back into civilisation to begin his 3 year ministry. Many religious settings will encourage believers to fast, develop their prayer lives and shift their focus towards the coming season of Easter during Lent.
However Lent has become far more than a religious season. The practice of giving something up or starting a new healthy habit for the 40 day period recognised as Lent, has now become more widely accepted as a non-religious practice in the culture of the Western world. Many people choose to engage with it as an opportunity to be mindful, to look after their body and soul; an opportunity to take care of ourselves.
Our Wellbeing Triangle has been developed around the idea that in order to look after our soul fully, we need to be living in balanced connection with ourselves, others and ‘Other’. ‘Other’ to some may be faith in Jesus; to others it might look like practicing daily gratitude or being present in a space that inspires wonder, like nature. In a season which embraces fasting and self-sacrifice, how can you find space this year to connect with yourself, others and Other?
In the midst of his period of fasting and temptation, Jesus leaned on his faith. He drew to mind verses that gave him strength. If you’re choosing to engage in Lent as a period of fasting, temptation and self-denial, where will you draw your strength from? It could be a spiritual practice that you engage with; it could be practicing gratitude for the things you do have in the midst of lack; it could be connecting with friends who you can be vulnerable about your experience with.
We have taken this simple practice to share with you. Night Vision is an idea from the Lent Letters; a contemplative and creative meditation series by Proost which uses the idea of Twilight as a focus for lent reflection.
Night Vision
Night vision technology is now common-place but its inspiration came from the way our eyes begin to adjust in darkness and to be able to with some clarity. Key to this is Rhodopsin which is a photo-pigment in the eye. Darkness causes the molecules to regenerate in a process called “dark adaptation” in which the eye adjusts to see in the low lighting conditions. Consider this, what is the Rhodopsin for your soul? When life is dark, what enables you to see? Maybe friends, faith, music, getting outside, rest. Write a list and ask how you can lean on these things more. Be thankful for the way they help you.