The most common way to reflect is through words, thinking, or writing. But there are many other ways to reflect on experiences. Since this blog seeks to serve those who are not grounded in one particular spiritual tradition, I offer theses as practices that transcend the confines of one faith. I believe that these practices, with the exception of Bibliodrama, also support Foley’s Reflective Believing and can be employed outside of specific faith traditions. Bibliodrama might also be adapted to the telling of stories and mythology of different cultures and traditions.

Interplay: Interplay is a community-based practice of improvisation that seeks to discover meaning through embodied practices, stories, and spirituality. The goal is to discover wisdom that we, and our communities, already possess. Through bypassing some of the “editors” of our actions and words, interplay invites in personal experience, connections to spirit, and a sense of community into creating performances and rituals.

Bibliodrama: Bibliodrama combines a close reading of biblical texts with creative questions and improvisational role-playing. The system also uses improvisation to undercover meaning in the ancient texts as well as in the lives of the participants.

Dialogue: the art of conversation and listening can be a beneficial practice especially when it occurs within a community. Conversation with a friend, mentor, or trusted confidant often helps an individual reflect and find direction when confronted with an issue. bell hooks, in her book, Teaching to Transgress, has a powerful chapter on her dialogue with a colleague of a different gender and race. In addition, Jane Vella in her book Learning to Listen, Learning to Teach outlines characteristics of dialogue that facilitate learning.

Walking: Walking and being in nature has long been a reflective practice. The desert mothers and fathers of the Christian tradition left society and spent long periods of time alone and in silence. Recently, the Buddhist practice of walking meditation has become popular, especially through the writings and practice of Buddhist teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh. Read Thich Nhat Hanh’s Guide to Walking Meditation. In Christianity, the ancient practice of walking the labyrinth has also returned to popularity.

Soul Collage: This practice takes the craft of collage and guides participants in making cards that represent aspects of her or his personality. In the process, the use of archetypes and symbols is encouraged. These cards are used for self-reflection and to deepen one’s understanding of the interweaving of self, community, faith, and the world.