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In our current series of podcasts, we are exploring the topic of contemplation. What does contemplation mean and how does it impact the way we show up in the world? I’m hoping that these conversations will be a contemplative experience, so I invite you to join us, engage and be open as we discuss our guest’s spiritual journey and contemplative experiences.

My guest today is...

Deb Arndt

Deb’s background is in education, spending 18 years in the high school classroom. She has served as a Pastor of Spiritual Formation, offered many workshops and retreats, and continues to companion others in spiritual direction. She lives on an acreage outside of Saskatoon, SK with her husband Lavern. They have two adult sons, a lovely daughter-in-law and a precious granddaughter. Deb enjoys nature, hiking, deep connections with others, belly laughs, reading, good food and drink, and their Bernese Mountain dog Ralph.

Many of my guests for this series on contemplation have been partners with Soulstream. Deb is SoulStream’s Executive Director. Prior to becoming Executive Director Deb served on SoulStream’s Leadership Team from 2011-2017 and has co-facilitated Living from the Heart (a course that we have mentioned many times in this series because of its impact on our guests) for more than 10 years.

Deb's book suggestion

Abide with Me by Elizabeth Strout

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Practicing Presence and Openness with Outdoor Sounds (Listen below)

Deb offers the following exercise…

Start with prayer and breath and become centered in your own body. 

Become attentive to what you are hearing in the soundscape around you. Give yourself over to the sound that is coming to you right then.

What surfaces? Is there something there to pay attention to? In Deb‘s case, it was a sound that annoyed her Remain there. Make room. Don’t force a connection or an application. What surfaces that might need some attention? 

Choose how you want to end it - read something, be grateful. 

Play with the exercise above. Let it morph into your own experience.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO DEB'S REFLECTION ON APPLE PODCASTS