PraXis Week 5: The Light

DOWNLOAD 2022 VERSION OF THE CHALLENGE HERE

WORKOUT OF THE PEOPLE

Epiclesis to the Holy Spirit

Introduction

Intro, reflect on the theme, offer a prayer or intention. – 5 minutes

What is visible of God is light: the power and purity that radiates from God’s presence.

In the Greek version of the Old Testament that Paul knew, the Greek word doxa is used for what we call glory. Doxa, differs slightly from the Hebrew word for glory, kavod, which means honor, abundances and splendor. The Greek means praise but also radiant light. [See StepBible].

One way to read Isaiah when he sees the cherubim worshiping God, is to translate it as,“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory [light].” [Isaiah 6:3]

This theme of glory and light runs deep in the New Testament because writers like Paul were referencing the Greek version of the Hebrew scriptures when they quoted the Bible. The light of God comes down to us on Earth through God’s Anointed One. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’ [John 8-12]. And as Paul says, “For God, who said, ‘Light shall shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory [light] of God in the face of Christ.” [2 Corin. 4:6] Jesus mysteriously shares the light of God, so that we might follow the Way. This light reside in your heart and when we can keep the vessel of our heart clean, this light can shine out to others.

First Prayer
Anyone who wishes to read may raise their hand.

Luke 11:34-35
Your eye is the lamp of your body. 
When your eyes are healthy,
your whole body also is full of light. 
But when they are unhealthy, 
your body also is full of darkness. 
See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

Rise and go to your mat or prayer rug

Lectio Divina [more on lectio divina here]

Ephesians 5: 8-10
For at one time you were in darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light
(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true)
and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.

Somatic prayer – [Sanctified yoga] 20 minutes

Flow
Tuesday and Wednesday Evening

4 Opening Set
Arms Raised
Forward Fold
Straight back, 1/2 rise
Forward Fold
Sweep up to raised arms
Hand to heart

Forward fold
Plank
Down Dog

4 Floor Series
Table
Child
Praise
Table
Cobra
Down Dog

Left foot forward lunge

3 Warrior I, 4 static breaths (left side)
Extended side angle stretch, 4 static breaths
Hand down on mat, left leg runner’s lunge

Stand up, turn to the long edge of the mat
3 Wide standing forward bends, 4 static breaths

3 Warrior I, 4 static breaths (right side)
Extended side-angle stretch, 4 static breaths (left side)
Hand down on mat, left leg runner’s lunge

Down Dog
Table
Turn onto back
Rest with knees up, feet on floor touching buttocks

4 Bridge series
Hug knees
Straighten legs up, arms out
Feet back to floor
Bridge

Turn over
3 Cobra
3 Seated Twist
Repose, 16 breaths of more

Thursday morning

3 Breathe into the heart, palms together at chest
2 Sun Salutations
Forward fold
Straight back, 1/2 rise
Plank
Down Dog
Left foot forward lunge

3 Warrior I, 4 static breaths (left side)
Extended side angle stretch, 4 static breaths
Hand down on mat, left leg runner’s lunge
Stand up, turn to the long edge of the mat
3 Wide standing forward bends, 4 static breaths
3 Warrior I, 4 static breaths (right side)
Extended side-angle stretch, 4 static breaths (left side)
Hand down on mat, left leg runner’s lunge

3 Floor series
Table
Child
Praise
Table
Cobra
Down Dog

3 Boat, 4 static breaths
3 Bridge, 4 static breaths

Shoulder stand
(variations- legs up the wall, legs straight up in the air)

3 Locust
Child
3 Seated Twists
Repose, 16 breaths or more

Come back to our seats

Noetic prayer – [Centering prayer] 20 minutes, [more on centering prayer here]

Bell rings

Open eyes: Shared silence 1 minute

Thanksgiving

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. 
A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, 
but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  
In the same way, 
let your light shine before others, 
so that they may see your good works 
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Benediction, if someone has one to offer

Depart to the table

Cleaning the Vessel of the Light: Plant-Based Detoxing

Group 2

Continue to expand the number of days in which you have an exclusively plant-based diet. See the detox recommendations below. Try to apply these tips gradually in the coming weeks.

Group 1

This week try to expand the number of days that you stick to the 16-hour fast, while expanding your plant-based diet to the entire week. This is a time in which, we are preparing ourselves for prepare for a 1, 2, or 3-day liquids only fast next week.

Detoxing

These tips for the Daniel Plan detox are based on the book The Daniel Plan: 40 days to a healthier life by Rick Warren, Daniel Amen, Mark Hyman.

In their book, they recommend detoxing to help with a longer fasting period.  They refer to fasting as being a mindful steward of the body to help inspire positive change in yourself to build a healthier community. In PraXis we talk about fasting as a tool for discernment. One way of doing this through diet is to mindfully focus on eating a plant-based diet. In doing so, we cut out foods that create toxicity in our body.  Because a whole foods-based diet removes sugary, fatty, chemical-laden, artificial, and inflammatory foods from the diet, they are sometimes called a detox or a cleanse. 

Here is a very simple break down with references of what to eat more of and a food list.  

What to eat:  
Real, fresh whole plant-based foods       
Create a menu plan

What to avoid:
Stimulants & sedatives:
alcohol, caffeine, etc. 
Processed/ fast food
(additives/ chemicals)
Artificial sweeteners
Sugar in any form
All dairy 
All gluten

Recipe Links

Homemade açaí bowls

Butternut squash & broccoli salad

Raw Falafel Buddha Bowls

Sessions

ZOOM LINKS

Just a quick reminder of our new format. On Tuesday nights Jamie will model chair poses during our yoga practice. And on Thursday, we’ll have slightly more strength-based yoga aimed at energizing your Zoe [aliveness] in the morning!

Tuesday, 6:30 pm, EST – Includes chair yoga
This night will feature Jamie doing Chair Yoga for those with mobility challenges
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3130965380
Meeting ID: 313 096 5380

Wednesday, 6:30 pm, EST
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81453475523
Meeting ID: 814 5347 5523

Thursday 10 am, EST – Fitness-oriented wake-up practice
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84163137582
Meeting ID: 841 6313 758