title: The Cup of Our Life
author/editor: Joyce Rupp
reviewed by: Mary

Joyce Rupp's book, offers daily prayer and meditation around a theme. She says, "The spiritual journey is like (the cup) - a constant process of emptying and filling, of giving and receiving, of accepting and letting go." Each day for six weeks, this book offers a thoughtful piece of Joyce's personal writing, a breath prayer, reflection, scripture and journaling suggestions. It also offers information for using this book with a group. She uses inclusive language for all people of faith and reiterates what we already know in our hearts about what we need to strengthen our conscious connection to the Divine.

"Solitude is the empty space that we deliberately choose in order to be with the Beloved. In solitude we can savor this goodness and give ourselves space to really listen. When we are occupied with life's many details and are rushing about in the marketplace, only the surface things of life get our attention. Solitude can help us to disengage and detach. It is when we are alone, uninterrupted, single-minded and single-hearted, that some of the wonderful fruits come to the surface. If we want to learn to grow spiritually, we will need the discipline of solitude."

This book has drawn me to new awareness of myself and my relationship to the Divine. It has given me some needed structure for my daily practice of prayer and meditation. For me this book has been a cup of blessing, "...a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing..."

Mary article first appeared in the MorningStar Adventure newsletter, Winter 2002. She adds, "I am glad for others to know about Joyce Rupp's books (There are quite a few and I have gained a lot from each.) This particular one has been quite a blessing; meeting me right at my edges of growth. Ahhh, synchronicity!

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