Workshop 12: Spiritual Practices in a Material World

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of The Wi$dom Path, Adults: Money, Spirit, and Life

In This Section

Introduction
From The Wi$dom Path

I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself. — Aldous Huxley, British author (Brave New World) In this workshop, participants craft a personal theology of wealth and money and set a plan for sustainable, spiritually healthy financial…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity Minutes Opening 15 Activity 1: Taking Stock of the Journey 15 Activity 2: Creating and Sharing Credos 35 Activity 3: Moving from Credo to Action 20 Faith in Action: Forming an Accountability Partnership or Group Closing 5 Alternate Activity 1: Worship Planning 60…
Spiritual Preparation
From The Wi$dom Path

Reflect on your experience leading the Wi$dom Path program. Consider: What were the most challenging parts for you to facilitate? Why? What were your major “aha” moments (surprising insights) as you worked through your own financial and money history, values, and aspirations? Which workshops and…
Opening
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or an LED/battery-operated candle A chime or a small bell Optional: An object to pass from speaker to speaker during discussion Optional: Refreshments Preparation for Activity Place chairs in a circle….
Activity 1: Taking Stock of the Journey
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 1, Guided Reflection and Meditation A small chime or bell Preparation for Activity Review Leader Resource 1. Make any adaptations you find necessary. Practice reading the reflection and meditation aloud….
Activity 2: Creating and Sharing Credos
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 35 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 1, Four Credo Perspectives Paper and pens A small chime or bell Preparation for Activity Read Handout 1, Four Credo Perspectives, and make copies for all participants. Recruit for volunteers to read aloud the four definitions of “credo” on…
Activity 3: Moving from Credo to Action
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Sticky dots Preparation for Activity Label two or three sheets of newsprint “From Credo to Action” and post….
Closing
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED/battery-operated candle Handout 2, Meditation on Love Taking It Home handout Copies of the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook, Singing the Journey Preparation for Activity Customize Taking It Home and make copies for…
Faith In Action: Forming an Accountability Partnership or Group
From The Wi$dom Path

Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Description of Activity Form an accountability group for support and encouragement with interested members of your workshop group….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From The Wi$dom Path

Make time for individual reflection and discussion with your co-facilitator after the conclusion of the workshop….
Alternate Activity 1: Worship Planning
From The Wi$dom Path

Activity time: 60 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 3, Sample Order of Service Newsprint, markers, and tape Worship arts resources such as Singing the Living Tradition, the Unitarian Universalist hymnbook; Singing the Journey, supplement to the hymnbook; and Closing readings from various Wi$…
Taking It Home: Spiritual Practices in a Material World
From The Wi$dom Path

I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself. — Aldous Huxley, British author (Brave New World) Write a prayer that expresses your deepest wishes for your own financial well-being and the well-being of those dear to you….
Handout 1: Four Credo Perspectives
From The Wi$dom Path

Credo. noun (pl. credos) a statement of the beliefs or aims that guide someone’s actions… — New Oxford American Dictionary (3rd edition) A credo is a snapshot of your values, faith, identity, and belief at one point in time. As Unitarian Universalists, we understand that your religious ideas…
Handout 2: Meditation on Love
From The Wi$dom Path

Reprinted from Teachings on Love, revised edition, by Thich Nhat Hanh (Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 1998). Used with permission of Parallax Press, Berkeley, California, www.parallax.org.
Handout 3: Sample Order of Service
From The Wi$dom Path

Prelude Choose your favorite money-themed song. Workshop 1, Opening, has suggestions. Call to Worship What calls us together in worship and what does it have to do with material wealth? It could be a poem or reading, possibly from the Wi$dom Path workshops or based on short snippets from…
Leader Resource 1: Guided Reflection and Meditation
From The Wi$dom Path

Ask these questions slowly, allowing time for reflection after each set of questions: Consider your money story and the wisdom you have mined from recalling and telling. How have past lessons and experiences proved unhelpful or harmful? What does it mean to have enough?…
Find Out More
From The Wi$dom Path

A book to help in the spiritual practice of meditation or prayer for money health for you, those you love, and the world: Thich Nhat Hanh, Teachings on Love (Berkeley, CA: Parallax Press, 1998). Books to help you explore money, spirit, and values in your life: Mark V. Ewert, The Generosity Path:…

Download all of The Wi$dom Path (Word) to edit and print.

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Workshop 12: Spiritual Practices in a Material World

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