On why everyone should write their own Odyssey and share it with their friends

When I was in parish ministry full time, I would periodically go to gatherings with clergy. Unitarian Universalist ministers do a good job of gathering regularly to retreat together, talk together, get to know one another and to support each other.

During those times, one regular, ongoing event was the Odyssey. The most senior minister, who had not already given an Odyssey, was invited to spend an hour sharing their spiritual journey. It was normally after dinner, on a Saturday evening. Drinks were free and flowing.

The minister who spoke owned the floor. They could share slides. They could hand out poems. They could speak the whole hour, or speak part of it and engage conversation.

Those odysseys stick with me more than any other part of those retreats. (Well, once John Dominic Crosson joined us in rural Minnesota and started his workshop with: “So now I know where the end of the world is.” That too was memorable.)

Everyone should gather their friends. Buy some wine. And share their odyssey. Yes, even you introverts. Even you atheists and humanists and ex-this and recovering-thats. All of us.

There is no right way to do one of course. But you might include some key ideas.

First, where did you come from and how did the land and the geography teach you something about life. And those in your life, who as Mr. Rogers asked the journalist, who among them ‘loved you into being.’

Second, what questions animated your childhood. What were you taught about the religious life, or the spiritual life, if anything? What sayings stick with you.

Third, when you went on a quest for understanding, perhaps in college, what did that look like? I visited Episcopal church, Quaker meetings and UU congregations. I talked to United Methodist ministers and friends. I cast aside, once and for all, the church of my upbringing, for particular reasons that I shall not go into here.

Fourth, who mentored you, once you found your new wine in your old wineskin? Who taught you and helped you and let you know where to look as opposed to what to find?

Fifth, what did loss and grief teach you?

Sixth, what lapses occurred and how and why and what did you learn?

Seventh, in the midst of those lapses, in the midst of the lost moments, what kept you afloat? How?

8th, where are you now and what is emerging anew?

9th, how did you change your mind?

10th, what practices have you tried on, cast aside, and kept? What practices endure?

11th, what gifts do you in particular bring to the world? What are your particular talents?

12th, what causes your soul to come to life?

And, put it all in a story. And share. Why share? To remind yourself that you are not alone.

Abbot Lot came to Abbot Joseph and said: Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and according as I am able I strive to cleanse my heart of thoughts: now what more should I do? The elder rose up in reply and stretched out his hands to heaven, and his fingers became like ten lamps of fire. He said: Why not be totally changed into fire? (Thomas Merton, The Wisdom of the Fathers)