Psalms for the Spirit

This arrangement, set to the wordless tune ‘Caisleán an Óir,’ portrays the urgency and energy with which the psalmist may have written these words. In this Psalm, we find numerous images of the various ways God can provide refuge and shelter for us when we feel we are at the “end of earth.” You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for Hear My Cry, O God on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Listen to Kiran and Celtic Psalms on TEDx As you probably now know, the journal is available in paperback format on Amazon! Here’s the link to the paperback journal (on amazon.com, though it is available globally), and if you would be so kind as to leave a review on the Amazon platform in your region, that will help other readers find it! For the time being, paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit still receive the free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

Telling the story of a person hurt by human relationship, this Psalm captures the desire to find shelter in the midst of turmoil. Exploring the concept of home being a place where our hearts can be at rest, this Psalm set to the moving Irish traditional melody Ned of the Hill, addresses that yearning we all have for a place where we can be truly ourselves, fully accepted, safe from the tempests and storms of life. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for Wings of a Dove on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Listen to Kiran and Celtic Psalms on TEDx As you probably now know, the journal is available in paperback format on Amazon! Here’s the link to the paperback journal (on amazon.com, though it is available globally), and if you would be so kind as to leave a review on the Amazon platform in your region, that will help other readers find it! For the time being, paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit still receive the free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

This Psalm is known for its messages about a clean heart, forgiveness, and a renewed spirit, and is often used during Lent. Set here with the Irish traditional tune Logan’s Lament, this paraphrase focuses on the imagery of a parent kindly and gently washing away the layers that “hide” us, or that cover up the God-given beauty each one of us possesses, thereby allowing us to be restored to the joy that God intends. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for Create in Me on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Listen to Kiran and Celtic Psalms on TEDx I wanted to share some news ~ the journal is now available in paperback format on Amazon! I had a bit of a thrill when I opened the package and felt it in my hands. I’ve never made a book before! Here’s the link to the paperback journal (on amazon.com, though it is available globally), and if you would be so kind as to leave a review on the Amazon platform in your region, that will help other readers find it! For the time being, paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit still receive the free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

The lyrical air ‘Dawning of the Day’ (Fáinne Geal an Lae) conveys this Psalm’s message of courage and hope. Through the imagery presented in this Psalm, we see mountains falling into the sea, and the world in upheaval ~ yet, we are also presented with the assuring image of a river that brings joy, and the message that we might be still and know that God is the ultimate ruler over all. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for The God of Jacob on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Listen to Kiran and Celtic Psalms on TEDx I wanted to share some news ~ the journal is now available in paperback format on Amazon! I had a bit of a thrill when I opened the package and felt it in my hands. I’ve never made a book before! Here’s the link to the paperback journal (on amazon.com, though it is available globally), and if you would be so kind as to leave a review on the Amazon platform in your region, that will help other readers find it! For the time being, paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit still receive the free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

This psalm of longing is set to the relatively well-known traditional melody, ‘Down by the Salley Gardens.’ Its iconic imagery of the deer panting or longing for streams of water, as our souls thirst for God, leads us into this depiction of someone whose soul is “cast down” and needing to be reminded of something to hope in. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for As the Deer Longs for Streams on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Listen to Kiran and Celtic Psalms on TEDx Listen to the podcast with Avivah Zornberg I wanted to share some news ~ the journal is now available in paperback format on Amazon! I had a bit of a thrill when I opened the package and felt it in my hands. I’ve never made a book before! Here’s the link to the paperback journal (on amazon.com, though it is available globally), and if you would be so kind as to leave a review on the Amazon platform in your region, that will help other readers find it! For the time being, paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit still receive the free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

This prayer for strength, courage, and refuge during a time of distress is combined here with the Irish traditional song Spancilhill. The Psalm resolves by transitioning into a testament to God’s help in the past, and an encouragement to those in distress as it offers the words “May courage fill your hearts.” You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for Rock of Refuge on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Listen to Kiran and Celtic Psalms on TEDx I wanted to share some news ~ the journal is now available in paperback format on Amazon! I had a bit of a thrill when I opened the package and felt it in my hands. I’ve never made a book before! Here’s the link to the paperback journal (on amazon.com, though it is available globally), and if you would be so kind as to leave a review on the Amazon platform in your region, that will help other readers find it! For the time being, paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit still receive the free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

Proclaiming God’s power to transform sorrow into ‘dancing and song,’ this Psalm is sung to the uplifting Irish melody, “Green Grows the Laurel.” It’s a testament to coming through a time of sorrow and mourning, and finding dancing, song, and joy once again. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for You Have Turned My Sorrow on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Listen to Kiran and Celtic Psalms on TEDx Paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit receive a free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. A paperback version is now available too! Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

The air ‘Down in Yon Banke’ is originally a wordless Scottish country dance song, and in this rendition becomes a prayer for God’s eternal presence, especially in times of turmoil and fear. The Psalm speaks of enemies stumbling and falling in the midst of raging war, and expresses that longing to behold God’s beauty and to see God’s face. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for The Lord is My Light on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit receive a free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. A paperback version is now available on Amazon! An interactive PDF version is also available for purchase on Kiran’s website Listen to Kiran’s recent TEDx talk on the Psalms This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

In this Psalm of discernment, the writer expresses the longing to hear God’s guidance in the stillness of prayer. Set to the traditional Irish melody “For Ireland I’ll Not Tell Her Name,” this song sits with the longing to know how to walk in the right paths of truth and love. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for For I Wait on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit receive a free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. A paperback version is now available on Amazon! An interactive PDF version is also available for purchase on Kiran’s website Listen to Kiran’s recent TEDx talk on the Psalms This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

This beloved Psalm, describing God shepherding us through green pastures and dark valleys, is set to the well-known traditional Irish air ‘The Parting Glass.’ In this Psalm, we hear themes of restoration for our souls, accompaniment through challenging times, and the hope of a feast and a future of goodness and mercy. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for The Lord’s My Shepherd on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit receive a free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The journal ebook is also available for purchase on Kiran’s website A paperback version will be available soon Listen to Kiran’s recent TEDx talk on the Psalms This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

Set to the Irish air ‘Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore,’ this song captures the lament of the Psalm while adding a drive and energy that brings to light the hope offered at its conclusion. This Psalm typically accompanies reflections on Good Friday, though it is an important accompaniment to any time in which we struggle with a sense of forsakenness. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for My God, My God on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit receive a free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The journal ebook is also available for purchase on Kiran’s website A paperback version will be available soon Listen to Kiran’s recent TEDx talk on the Psalms This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

This soaring Irish traditional melody, ‘The Lark in the Clear Air’ brings a lightness to this Psalm about God’s revelation in both creation and scripture. The words of the Psalm remind us that the skies tell a story of who God is, and teach us important things, without words. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for The Heavens Declare on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit receive a free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom check-ins with others sharing this Psalms journey. Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. The journal ebook is also available for purchase on Kiran’s website A paperback version will be available soon Listen to Kiran’s recent TEDx talk on the Psalms This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

These ancient words of lament, combined with a haunting medieval traditional Irish melody, express the human longing to see God’s face in times of sorrow. The original tune ‘The Lament of the Three Marys/Coaineadh na dTrí Muire’ depicts the three Marys’ cries of sorrow at the tomb of Jesus - a moving complement to this prayer expressing sorrow and abandonment, and the yearning for signs of hope. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for How Long on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit receive a free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom checkins with others sharing this Psalms journey. The journal ebook is also available for purchase on Kiran’s website A paperback version will be available soon Listen to Kiran’s recent TEDx talk on the Psalms This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

A Psalm of praise to the Creator of the wonders of nature, this Psalm also contains a call to action - that in our status “underneath the angels,” we need to take responsibility for caring for creation. Set to the Irish tune ‘Far, Far Beyond the Mountain,’ and through the slightly ominous tones of the arrangement, we hear anew the sobering reminder to show respect and dignity to the world we live in. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs for Majestic on the Celtic Psalms webpage (www.celticpsalms.com) Paid subscribers to Bless My Feet (Kiran’s spirituality newsletter) or Psalms for the Spirit receive a free journal ebook (180 pages) with further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. You will receive a weekly email with a downloadable mp3 of the song and journal pages, and occasional invitations to Zoom checkins with others sharing this Psalms journey. The journal ebook is also available for purchase on Kiran’s website A paperback version will be available soon This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com The very first Psalm, set to the tune ‘Bán Chnoic Éirann Ó,’ speaks of following the “law” of God – and so we remember the greatest commandment: to love God, neighbor and self. When we grow in connection to this love, we can flourish and thrive like trees planted by streams of water. In times of weariness and anxiety, grief and loss, anger at injustice, longing for peace, we can plant ourselves in what is life-giving, with what allows us to experience and express love, with what taps us into the wellspring of true delight. We opened TEDx Stormont with this song a few weeks ago, and it’s one of our favorites to open concerts with these days, because of its focus on those uplifting themes. Listen to the podcast to learn a bit more about the background of the song and a few thoughts to ponder before listening to the song in full. You can find lyrics, scores/books, mp3s, CDs, and videos for Their Delight on the Celtic Psalms webpage. Paid subscribers receive a free journal ebook (180 pages) as well as an mp3 of the song of the week. The journal includes further questions for reflection and some invitations to prayer and practice. See below for some sample journal pages - this is what you will find for each of the 44 Psalms… 180 pages worth of reflections and invitations to prayer and action. With thanks to the brilliant creative and designer, Connie Hunter-Jamison!

Journey the Psalms with me in 2024… ***Introducing a new series with accompanying journal*** How do the Psalms speak into our lives? How can they help us get in touch with our deeper emotions, and to better understand ourselves? How can they lead us to live fuller, more honest, more authentic lives? What can they show us about who God is and who we’re invited to be in the world? Starting in early January 2024, I’ll be going through - in numerical order - the 44 Psalms I’ve arranged and recorded with my dear friends the McGraths (Celtic Psalms). Each week I will share reflections on a Psalm of the week, with accompanying journal pages (see the cover above) to enhance your personal journey. In addition, I’ll be doing a weekly short-form podcast with a song and reflections. The journal pages and podcast will include an introduction to the music and theme of each Psalm; connections to other writings and wisdom; helpful links to the Psalms for the Spirit podcast; reflection questions for you to explore through journaling or other forms of expression; a prayer and an invitation. The journal eBook/PDF (180 pages!) will be included for all Psalms for the Spirit paid subscribers, or you will be able to purchase it on my website. Each week, paid subscribers will also receive a downloadable mp3 of the featured song to accompany your reflection journey. The journal will come in Full Digital Format (an ebook/interactive PDF), downloadable on iPads, phones and computers, with embedded links for your convenience and text boxes for your own writing. There will also be a simplified printable version for you to write on by hand, or you can choose a notebook of your own to accompany this process. The journey will begin in early January and will continue through to November. That’s 44 weeks! I know that sounds like a long time - who knows what life will bring between now and November. Feel free to dip in and out of it, or to return later to Psalms you might miss. Other than me showing up each week with a Psalm and some reflections, this will be a free-flowing, spacious, gracious space with plenty of room for flexibility. These are resources I’ll be providing that you can take advantage of if it’s helpful to you - or, you can save it for a time when you need it. I will arrange periodic Zoom gatherings so that we can share parts of this journey together. I believe this is going to be a rich and transformative journey. If you’ve been wondering whether to become a paid subscriber, now might be a great time to hop aboard. Or if there’s a reflective soul in your life, consider inviting them along. If you’d like to support someone who can’t pay at the moment, there’s the option of donating a subscription. [This episode first aired in December 2021] Today’s guest is Ruth Patterson – Presbyterian minister, writer, retreat leader - recognized internationally for her deep spiritual insight and her gently powerful work in peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland. When I first heard about Ruth Patterson, it was with a certain sense of awe, as she was the very first woman – in any denomination – to be ordained in Ireland (well, perhaps since St. Brigit in the 5th century). Not only that, but she speaks with clarity and eloquence, and shows a steady kindness towards everyone she encounters. Ruth is one of those people for whom poetry and meaningful quotations roll off the tongue effortlessly, and whose reflections are profound while also being accessible and applicable to daily life. The organisation she founded and led for 30 years, Restoration Ministries brings people together across community divides in Ireland around their shared spirituality, and draws on the image of restoration depicted in the Psalms. In this conversation, which we had in the heart of Advent, we talk about the link between the Psalms and the history of Ireland, about the importance of hospitality – towards ourselves, God, others – in moving into a future of restoration,...

Today’s guest is Paul Hutchinson, mediator, therapist, author and brilliant storyteller. A former Director of the Corrymeela Peace and Reconciliation Centre, Paul has distilled his memories and learnings from that time in his delightful book “Between the Bells.” In this episode, Paul shares about his spiritual journey from seaching teenager to reflective Quaker, and how his background as a therapist and mediator informs his reading of the Psalms. In our conversation, we talk about being drawn to sing a new song, the importance of hosting all our feelings, how we can know when reconciliation is close at hand, and how we are loved in our unfixed state. https://kiranyoungwimberly.com/2021/05/28/psalms-for-the-spirit-ep-11-loved-in-our-unfixed-state-with-paul-hutchinson/ (More about this episode ) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

Today’s guest is Pádraig Ó Tuama, poet, theologian, host of On Being’s Poetry Unbound, and member and former leader of the Corrymeela Community. Pádraig doesn’t need much of an introduction, as his gifts for writing, and reading, and reading into poems have become widely known and admired. With his keen sense for the meaning behind a poem, his interest in language, violence, power, and religion, and his background in conflict mediation and peacebuilding, Pádraig has a way of seeing deeply into the soul of a poem, and into the people who created them, and into how those poems can help us find grounding in difficult times. I know Pádraig from when we overlapped at Corrymeela, and when I wanted to talk with someone about the poetry of the Psalms, who better to ask? And I’m delighted that next year, Pádraig will be a virtual guest facilitator on the Resilient Spirit Pilgrimage to Ireland in April 2024, helping us explore the connections between poetry and resilience in our lives. In this conversation we talk about the language of the Psalms - Psalms in translation, Psalms in Irish; about how the beauty of words put together in a certain way can move us and heal us; and about how even when we might feel all alone, a poem - and a prayer, and a Psalm - is a way for us to imagine what it might be like to be listened to, for our deepest selves to be heard. So whatever it is that brought you here, I’m so glad you’re with us. Transcription available by clicking the link above. Find out more about Pádraig Ó Tuama at www.padraigotuama.com Featured Celtic Psalms Music: Come, Spirit, Come (Psalm 144) How Good It Is (Psalm 133) I Lift My Eyes Up to the Hills (Psalm 121) I Am Weary (Psalm 102) My God, My God (Psalm 22) By the Waters (Psalm 137) Find out more about Celtic Psalms - downloads, GIA scores, videos, and concerts - at www.celticpsalms.com There’s a really wonderful opportunity coming up in April 2024 – the Resilient Spirit Pilgrimage to Ireland. Consider taking 11 days to come to Ireland to explore what brings us joy, strength, hope – resilience – to our lives. We’ll begin with six days at the beautiful Corrymeela residential centre in Ballycastle, on the north coast, which alone will take your breath away, but on top of that we have a program throughout our stay that’s geared toward helping you find resilience within yourself and to develop practices and wisdom that you can take back home with you. Resilience expert Sara Cook will be our first guest facilitator, followed by the brilliant reflective practitioner Paul Hutchinson. I’ll be leading a retreat day with Celtic Psalms music and space for silence and sharing, and then we’ll have a session on Zoom with the one and only poet/theologian/ Poetry Unbound creator/member and former leader of the Corrymeela community Pádraig Ó Tuama. Pilgrimage participants will then head a few hours south to the stunning hills and ancient monastery of Glendalough, where we’ll spend a few days connecting with the beauty of nature and the wisdom of Celtic Spirituality, before spending a day exploring the vibrant city of Dublin. This is going to be a transformative, uplifting, joyful and inspiring experience… Come join us on the beautiful north coast of Ireland at the Corrymeela Centre for the Resilient Spirit Pilgrimage in April 2024. If you’re interested, you can find more information in the episode notes. See Progressive Pilgrimage’s webpage for more details at https://progressivepilgrimage.com/corrymeela24/ Psalms for the Spirit is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Find out more about Kiran’s spirituality work at www.kiranyoungwimberly.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

[This podcast first aired in February 2021] Today’s conversation is with Sara Cook – a social worker who has worked in conflict response, peacebuilding and mediation in Northern Ireland and internationally for the past two decades. Sara and I are both Americans living in Northern Ireland and have become friends through being members of the Corrymeela community. Just before Covid in 2020, I had the good fortune of taking a training from her in the Community Resiliency Model, through the Trauma Resource Institute, and it had a huge impact on me as I entered, along with the rest of the world, the collective trauma of coronavirus. It was so transformative for me that a few years later, I became trained to teach these resilience skills too, and now weave resilience tools into my spirituality work. In this conversation, which first aired in 2021, I wanted to mine Sara’s wealth of knowledge on how we, as human beings, can come through difficult experiences. So whatever it is that brought you here, I’m glad you’re with us. More about Sara To find out more about Sara, visit her website: https://www.cook-consultancy.com Today I want to highlight a really wonderful opportunity coming up in April 2024 – the Resilient Spirit Pilgrimage to Ireland. Consider taking 11 days to come to Ireland to explore what brings us joy, strength, hope – resilience – to our lives. We’ll begin with six days at the beautiful Corrymeela residential centre in Ballycastle, on the north coast, which alone will take your breath away, but on top of that we have a program throughout our stay that’s geared toward helping you find resilience within yourself and to develop practices and wisdom that you can take back home with you. Resilience expert Sara Cook will be our first guest facilitator, followed by the brilliant reflective practitioner Paul Hutchinson from Episode 11. I’ll be leading a retreat day, and at the end of our time there will be we’ll have a session on Zoom with the one and only poet/theologian/Poetry Unbound creator/community member and former leader of the Corrymeela community Pádraig Ó Tuama. Pilgrimage participants will then head a few hours south to the stunning hills and ancient monastery of Glendalough, where we’ll spend a few days connecting with the beauty of nature and the wisdom of Celtic Spirituality, before spending a day exploring the vibrant city of Dublin. This is going to be a transformative, uplifting, joyful and inspiring experience… Come join us on the beautiful north coast of Ireland at the Corrymeela Centre for the Resilient Spirit Pilgrimage in April 2024. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe

Today's guest is Sarah Griffith Lund, a minister and author who has focused her life's work on breaking the silence about mental illness. With her generous and gracious spirit, Sarah talks me through the stark realities of mental illness today, made even more extreme because of the pandemic, and how the themes of the Psalms speak to that life experience shared by so many. In our conversation, we talk about walking through the valley of the shadow of mental illness, sitting at table with mental illness, and finding ways to speak into the silence about mental illness. I felt grateful for Sarah's gentle but firm reminder that we simply cannot stay silent when lives are at stake. *There is some heavy content in this episode, so please do ensure that you have proper supports in place if needed. https://kiranyoungwimberly.com/2021/06/07/psalms-for-the-spirit-ep-12-breaking-the-silence-about-mental-illness-with-sarah-griffith-lund/ (More details on this episode) This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit psalmsforthespirit.substack.com/subscribe