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Small Virtual Group Assignment

The small group discussion focused on personal experiences of transcendence, togetherness, and spiritual awareness, fostering a meaningful exchange through storytelling and thoughtful questions. Participants shared impactful stories, such as Rose's whitewater rafting experience and Freddy's moment of divine reassurance during a difficult time, highlighting the importance of connection and reflection in spiritual growth. The conversation emphasized the risks of spiritual isolation and the value of supportive communities in navigating life's challenges.

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Monika Cosson
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13 views2 pages

Small Virtual Group Assignment

The small group discussion focused on personal experiences of transcendence, togetherness, and spiritual awareness, fostering a meaningful exchange through storytelling and thoughtful questions. Participants shared impactful stories, such as Rose's whitewater rafting experience and Freddy's moment of divine reassurance during a difficult time, highlighting the importance of connection and reflection in spiritual growth. The conversation emphasized the risks of spiritual isolation and the value of supportive communities in navigating life's challenges.

Uploaded by

Monika Cosson
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Small Virtual Group Assignment

Our small group discussion explored experiences of transcendence, togetherness, and spiritual
awareness. What made the conversation meaningful was that each person approached these
themes through a personal story, and the group responded with curiosity rather than quick
conclusions. The discussion transitioned naturally between storytelling, reflection, and
thoughtful questions.
Rose got us started by sharing an experience of whitewater rafting in West Virginia during her
twenties. At the time she simply felt an unusual sense of energy and alignment that lingered for
days afterward. As we listened, several “curious” questions helped deepen the reflection. I asked,
“Is this a moment you return to or find yourself recalling during other moments in your life?”
This opened space for Rose to reflect on how the experience resurfaced years later during a
spiritual direction class. Jeff asked the helpful question, “Were you fearful before it started,
during it, or after?”, helping Rose articulate how her fear beforehand gave way to calm once she
was actually in the rapids.
During this part of the conversation, I connected Rose’s story to something from the weekly
reading about the danger of building “spiritual silos” (Sanders 206). Sanders warns that spiritual
life can become distorted when people isolate experiences in ways that separate them from others
or from the complexity of real life. Listening to Rose describe the exhilaration she experienced
coupled with the trauma she described another participant felt made this idea feel very real. I
spoke about how people might respond to fear by withdrawing into protective spaces, yet
spiritual formation provides an opportunity to move beyond those confining spaces while
remaining open to growth and connection with others. It’s a big risk for all parties.
Freddy then shared a story about being alone at a hunting camp during a burdensome season
wherein his mother was managing a serious illness when the power went out. When the
electricity suddenly came back on after dropping to his knees to pray, he described it as a
“moment of divine reassurance.” Rose asked a great question, “Did the feeling of peace come
immediately so you knew it wasn’t just coincidence?” Freddy conveyed that the event brought
him a deep sense of calm and confirmed that he was not alone – on the trip, or in his journey
with his mom during her illness.
When I shared my own experience of transcendence and togetherness, I described it as a
realization that I needed to “stop thinking about it (chaplaincy) and simply respond.” My
classmates were so attentive while I spoke and reflected back to me how experiences in nature
are often spaces where people recognize deeper spiritual movement in their lives. At least it
seemed so for our group.
Jeff concluded by sharing about a parish men’s group that meets after early morning Mass. He
described how meaningful it has been for men to speak openly about family struggles, illness,
and faith. His reflection connected with course material describing the isolation many men
experience and the importance of supportive community.

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