Hello darkness, my old friend,

I've come to talk with you again,

Because a vision softly creeping,

Left its seeds while I was sleeping,

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains,

Within the sounds of silence.

— Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel, "Sounds of Silence"

The mirror symbolizes reflection. In this session, there are opportunities to explore physical reflection and to consider the tool of reflection in our faith. Discussion may include when, where, and how we take the time to listen inside ourselves for a still, small voice. As leaders, you will want to emphasize that our still small voice can be thought of as our conscience. In addition, some people think of it as the voice of God. Allow time for participants to engage the issue of when they have difficult questions and have used, or can use, reflection to think about the answers.

You will need to obtain some meditative music to help you create a reflective atmosphere for the Opening and for Activity 3: Reflection and Artistic Expression. Choose music ahead of time and arrange to use (or bring) a CD or tape player.

Goals

This session will:

• Help deepen participants' Unitarian Universalist identity, ethical discernment, and understanding of Unitarian Universalist faith through reflection and discussion
• Teach participants that Unitarian Universalism is a faith that will nurture your spirit through reflection
• Present reflection as a tool we can use to affirm the fourth Unitarian Universalist Principle which encourages a free and responsible search for truth and meaning
• Illustrate how, as Unitarian Universalists, we look to direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life justice (Source)
• Engage participants in the spiritual practices of chalice lighting, voicing of joys and concerns, and intentional discussion

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

• Explore the physical qualities of a mirror and use the symbol of a mirror as a way to think about inward reflection
• Learn about the place of inward reflection in their own lives and Unitarian Universalist faith
• Learn the story of the "still, small voice" heard by the prophet Elijah in Hebrew scripture
• Experience the properties of a mirror through active games
• Create a personal symbol of reflection to remind them to listen to the still, small voice inside themselves
• Experience moments of reflection and respond to their own reflections by drawing