Unhurried Living | Helping Christians Rest Deeper & Lead Better

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Chris Heuertz: Solitude, Silence, Stillness & The Sacred Enneagram, Part 1 Apr 22, 2019

Show notes

In his book, "The Sacred Enneagram", Chris Heuertz states, “Real transformation takes place when we pair the self-awareness that the Enneagram stimulates with the silence of contemplative practice. Then our unique path to spiritual growth emerges, and we will never be the same.”

I could not be more thrilled to have Chris Heuertz as my guest today. What he is bringing to the Enneagram conversation is crucial. In his own unique way, he shares the integration of the practices of solitude, silence and stillness and how they are key to transformation. Many of you are now familiar with the Enneagram and I wanted you to have a vision for taking this to the next level.

Chris Heuertz was first introduced to the Enneagram in the slums of Cambodia. Since then he has trained under some of the great living Enneagram masters including Father Richard Rohr, Russ Hudson, Marion Gilbert and Helen Palmer, and now teaches the Enneagram in workshops and retreats around the world. Chris is an International Enneagram Association Accredited Professional. He and his wife, Phileena, and their puppy, Basil, live in Omaha, and you can join him on Facebook and Twitter in his intentions to love on the margins.

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The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction (Justin Whitmel Earley) Apr 08, 2019

Show notes

Much of our lives are lived by habits. Some of them are bad ones and tend to be life-draining. Some of them are good and help us really live. In today’s episode, Alan will share a recent conversation with Justin Whitmel Earley, author of the recently-released InterVarsity Press book, The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction.

A rule of life provides a structure of practices that enable us to live and work rooted in the life of God’s kingdom. It helps us enter into Jesus’ rhythm of work and rest.

Today, Alan shares a recent conversation with Justin Whitmel Earley, author of The Common Rule. Alan had the treat of serving as an endorser for this book. This is what he wrote about it:

“Creation is full of holy rhythms of life. There is a way to live that honors and embodies these rhythms. The Common Rule is a beautiful, inviting resource that helps us do just that. It is an important guide to living more deeply-rooted in God’s life-giving kingdom.”

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Mindful Silence: The Heart of Christian Contemplation (Phileena Heuertz) Mar 25, 2019

Show notes

I enter today’s conversation with great anticipation. I’ve recently read Mindful Silence by Phileena Heuertz and cannot wait for you all to learn from her. She’s such a wealth of wisdom and heart.

In addition to Mindful Silence, Phileena is the author of Pilgrimage of a Soul and a founding partner of Gravity, a Center for Contemplative Activism. For nearly twenty years she and her husband, Chris, codirected an international nonprofit. As a spiritual director, yoga instructor, public speaker, retreat guide, and author, Phileena is passionate about spirituality and making the world a better place.

Phileena also wanted to share this resource with you: This is a rare and vulnerable conversation. Join her as she reflects on the themes of her book, Mindful Silence. Eight, inspiring mini films (10-20 minutes in length) edited by Travis Reed of The Work of the People, accompany each of the eight book chapters. Each video draws you into Phileena's heart, where you discover your own. Let these films support you along the transformational path of contemplative spirituality. Check it out HERE.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Peace as an Operating System Mar 11, 2019

Show notes

Have you noticed that there is a lot of anxiety out there these days? Whether explicit and obvious, or implicit and underlying, many of us are feeling anxious or stressed. But we follow Someone who is called the Prince of Peace. Maybe that could make a difference in how we deal with challenges, troubles, hardships that cross our path. Maybe peace could actually become our operating system.

When we talk about an operating system, we mean the basic underlying software that helps a computer or a smartphone operate. Unless you're a tech nerd like I tend to be, you don’t think very often about the operating system of your device, that is, unless it stops working properly.

When we call peace an operating system, we’re saying that it is possible to learn how to allow peace to be the underlying framework of our lives. Peace might even become something unconsciously trusted rather than frantically sought.

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Simplicity: Decluttering Your Life Feb 25, 2019

Show notes

We can’t help ourselves. We are going to join the conversation on Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. If you haven’t seen the Netflix show or read the book, that’s ok. We’re going pass through the subject on our way to a deeper dive into why we’re tempted to cling to things and how letting go can help our souls.

Marie isn’t teaching this directly, but I’m seeing people sink down further into these two questions:

What do I really need?
What do I really want?

Most people live on such a surface level, purchasing items without thought. They collect “stuff” until they are overwhelmed not only outwardly, but inwardly. Pruning thoughtfully, one piece at a time, helps people dip down into the deeper place of true desire. And the term “spark joy” is one way to go there.

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Preparing for an Unhurried Lent Feb 11, 2019

Show notes

Living more faithfully into our following of Jesus involves saying the right “Yeses” and the right “Noes.” In a little less than a month, Christians around the world will be saying “No” in some particular way as they practice Lent. In today’s episode, we’re going to talk about observing An Unhurried Lent together.

Today, we’re talking about something that Gem and I are going to be doing together beginning in about a month. We’re calling it An Unhurried Lent.

We’ll start by talking a little about Lent in general, then we’ll unpack the more specific idea of An Unhurried Lent.

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Remain: The Unremarkable, Remarkable Branch Jan 28, 2019

Show notes

A few years ago we spent a long weekend in a beautiful home on a vineyard. While visiting the Napa region of CA, we had the treat of being hosted by a master gardener. We ate beautiful food and drank amazing wine while seated at a picnic table overlooking the rolling hills and fruit-laden vines. We talked, laughed and shared all the way up to sunset. As you can imagine, it was one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen.

I could go on forever about the beauty of the setting but what does this have to do with spiritual formation? As we strolled the vineyard and spoke with the gardener he educated us on the pruning process of the grapes and how to make the best wines. What I found fascinating was the most unremarkable part was where the vine met the branch.

The familiar words from John 15:5 echoed in my mind.

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Jesus said, “You are the branch.“ Hmmm. I am the branch. Which means I’m not the gardener. I’m not the vine. I’m not the fruit. I am the branch.

And a branch’s job is to simply stay attached to the vine. Simple. But not easy.

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Four Common Barriers to Leadership Effectiveness Jan 14, 2019

Show notes

A new year full of plenty of new opportunities. However, with opportunities also come some common obstacles that can get in the way of making real, productive progress. That’s where we are headed today on the Unhurried Living Podcast.

In this episode, we’re talking about four common barriers to leadership effectiveness. These aren’t the only four barriers to leading well, but they are four big ones. And these insights aren’t just for people with very visible leadership roles or positions. We see leadership as a much larger category than that. Leadership is about holy and fruitful initiative in life as well as in work.

The four barriers are:

Anxiety
Fear
Self-doubt
Insecurity

We will unpack these barriers using the following questions:

What does this barrier look like in my life and work?
How does it hinder my progress?
What does it look like when I overcome or move through it? What is
the alternative movement to each one?

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Looking Ahead – Navy SEAL Tactics for Creating New Year’s Intentions Dec 31, 2018

Show notes

A few months ago we were in Germany leading a conference for Navy Chaplains. And as I pondered and prayed about our time together a phrase came floating up from my memory banks: “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.” I had heard that phrase one time as I listened to a movie star talk about training for his role in an upcoming blockbuster. But what does “Slow is smooth and smooth is fast” have to do with looking ahead to 2019.

Research revealed that Navy Seals (per navyseals.com) have understood this concept for decades with the dynamic of slow, smooth, fast--and also crawl, walk, run. Here's a brief excerpt to explain:

“In The Way of the SEAL, we are striving to navigate that journey with increasing awareness and power. Once you set foot onto this path, you begin to find extraordinary results through doing ordinary things extraordinarily well—and it eventually comes naturally. That is mastery.” (Mark Devine)

At Unhurried Living, we have taken on a similar way for ourselves and our work. Spiritual practices are the slow of “slow is smooth” that we practice so that when we work, we have access to a deep reserve from within.

In our spiritual practices our souls are learning to become present...present to God, present to ourselves, present to others. Our souls practice remembering that God is with us. And we will have quicker
access to this reality in times of need.

Our work becomes the “smooth is fast” part. This is what we mean when we talk about Jesus being relaxed. When we are relaxed instead of anxious, we are more creative, more insightful, less constricted, less distracted.

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Discernment-The Benefits of Looking Back Dec 17, 2018

Show notes

Alan and I take walks a few times a week. And most of the time we have these amazing conversations that lead to me saying, “We should have been recording this! This could have been a podcast!” We’ve never recorded a walk talk, but in this episode we are sharing from a couple of those conversations about contentment and anxiety. And we frame all this in the practice of a year-end-examen.

As you listen, be sure to download the FREE resource from Isaiah 61 at http://unhurriedliving.com/isaiah61

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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