A Sample Meditation:

Loss on the Way to Enlightenment

Avoidance, rationalization, religion, reality, projection, distraction

Acknowledging that we often grow tired of the painful truth about poverty, illness, racism, discrimination, environmental ruin, and warfare, we confess that we have escaped through distraction using food, entertainment, alcohol, and personal isolation.

We regret most deeply that we have fashioned religions to mask reality, often blaming our cruel indifference on a divine being of our own creation.

Liberate us from the darkness of ignorance and call us, we pray, into the light of truth,
that we may be partners in working for peace and justice.

Reviews
“Roger Ray’s frank and thoughtful meditations are a welcome addition to the growing library of liturgical resources for those who no longer subscribe to the dogmas and superstitions of traditional religion. They provide a timely illustration of how progressive communities can repurpose the useful insights and practices of the faith cultures from which they have emerged. In this case, Roger Ray strips the practice of ‘prayer’ of reference to a supernatural deity and focuses instead on its potential to aid individuals and communities in positive growth and transformation. These meditations declare, and thus reinforce, progressive values, intentions, and hopes, and they do so with courage and clarity. They will appeal across a broad spectrum of progressive, humanist, and nonreligious communities.” -Anastasia E. Somerville-Wong, Founder and Editor of the Secular Liturgies Network and Forum

“Traditional ‘prayer’ is directed to the interventionist, theistic God, but such prayer is increasingly irrelevant to progressive thinkers. However, here in Roger Ray’s latest book is a different kind of prayer based upon years of his own faith journey. These are insightful and developed for individual and community-based social justice challenges. The prayers are arranged in themes that demonstrate deep discernment and offer an exploration into the real heart of who we are.” -John Churcher, Public Theologian and Former Chair of the Progressive Christianity Network Britain

“Meditations is both a lovely and essential book for communities of faith committed to remaining relevant in the twenty-first century. Beyond that, it is the perfect accompaniment for any individual on a progressive spiritual journey. These meditations are poetry: easily digestible–conducive, even, to memorization–but profound and guaranteed to linger in the reader’s consciousness. This is the sort of bedside book that will make you a better person for having it.” -Nicole Fisk, Associate Director of First Year English, University of South Carolina

About the Author
Rev. Dr. Roger Ray is the founding pastor of the Emerging Church in Springfield, Missouri, and is the author of Progressive Faith and Practice and Progressive Conversations (both published with Wipf & Stock). He has a large internet audience on iTunes (Progressive Faith Sermons) and YouTube (CCCSPRINGFIELD), and is a popular lecturer in the United States and Great Britain.