When most people think of 40 days and 40 nights, they conjure up torrential rain of Biblical proportions. However, there's something from another spiritual practice about the same time period that has a somewhat calmer intention.
Rumi, the 13th century Persian poet, wrote:
"What nine months does for the embryo
Forty early mornings will do,
For your growing awareness."
Rumi, a Sufi mystic, was referring to meditation, of which he was a persuasive practitioner. For 40 days, the Winter Feast for the Soul will promote a daily meditation practice beginning Tuesday, Jan. 15, and running, through Sunday, Feb. 23.
Sufi practitioner Valerie Skonie of Hailey conceived the program as a way to create support for those who wish to quiet and heal the mind, body and spirit.
"I saw the Rumi poem and saw this is how we do it," Skonie said. "The mind, thus quieted, is referred to as clear mind in Buddhism and the heart mind in some of the other mystical traditions. Meditation is actually quite counter to the thrust of the ego and the busy state of mind that we normally experience."
Skonie said she was also inspired to create the program because people's lives in the Wood River Valley seem so busy despite the positives about the area.
But why hold a series of meditations? Why not just hold interfaith dialogues and lectures? Skonie, who is a teacher and proponent of the worth of meditation, is doing it all.
"Though it's not associated with religion, most traditions see that meditation is important," Skonie said. "In an empty space we can release attachments. Let go and you find your life just flows. Learning to stay in the present through a meditation practice is a great gift that only you can give to yourself."
Skonie added that group meditation is more powerful, though if people want to do the 40 days solo, that's fine too.
"When people sit together, especially if there's a teacher present holding down the energy, it's so profound," she said.
There will be at least six sites holding group meditations each day:
· Ketchum: Copper Ridge Building, at 7:30 a.m. each day with hosts Ann and Doug Christensen. Call 720-8183 or 726-3668 for entry instructions.
· Elkhorn: 2429 Indian Springs, at 8 a.m. with host Bob Hawley. Call 622-5824 for directions.
· Hailey: 421 Deer Trail, Deerfield, at 6:30 or 7 a.m. with host Valerie Skonie. Call 788-6373. There will also be self-healing practices included during the last 5 minutes.
· Hailey: 2151 Laurelwood Dr., Woodside, at 7 a.m. with host Vee Riley. Call 578-7748. Start time to be determined by group.
· Other possible locations may include groups at Light on the Mountains, Zaney's Coffee House and the Hailey Yoga Center. A Bellevue-area location is also not yet determined. To host a group call Skonie at 788-6373.
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The Rev. John Moreland of Light on the Mountains Spiritual Center responded favorably to the concept of the Winter Feast, and agreed to sponsor the program.
Skonie and Moreland together published a 72-page book, "Winter Feast for the Soul," which includes an instructional section called "Meditation: Why, When and How," an inspirational quote for each day, and a 40-day journal in which people can record their experiences. Published by Blurb Publishing, it's available online at Blurb.com's "bookstore."
To kick off the Winter Feast, a workshop will be held with Boise State University philosophy professor Peter Hodges. His initial discussion, called "World Religions: Understanding as a Path to Unity and Compassion," will be held Friday, Jan. 11, at 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church. He will also lead a discussion on Saturday, Jan. 12, at noon at St. Thomas Episcopal Church and on Sunday, Jan. 13, from noon to 3 p.m. at Light on the Mountains. Each class will cost $12.
"Peter will guide us in an exploration of the mystical truth behind each of the world's great religions," Skonie said. "We will see how they are more alike than they are different. We will also look at the significance of the 40-day period as it was experienced by each of the world's great prophets."
As well, "Living in the Question, Interfaith Service, Dinner & Dialogue" will be held Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 5:30 p.m. for the service, 6 p.m. for dinner, and 6:30 to 8 p.m. for the interfaith dialogue, St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ketchum.
The 40-day period will end with a big celebration weekend and Indian feast for the whole community at Light on the Mountains.
The schedule of events for February will be posted at a later date, when events are finalized, Skonie said.
The moon flower represents the Winter Feast for the Soul.
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