God in the Normal – Examen Meditation Practice

We all have both mountaintop and valley experiences in our lives. On the mountaintop, God is so close and so real. We’re excited by powerful experiences. We’re filled with energy and vigor for life. On the contrary, the valleys feel quiet and dark. God feels distant. We know struggle, pain, and isolation. Both the mountaintops and the valleys can profoundly shape us. Typically, these seasons are short in duration.

Then, there is the in-between. The experience of what we would each consider to be “normal life”. Most of our lives are spent between the mountaintop and the valley – somewhere between ecstatic and struggling. So, do you find God in the details of your normal life? Do you sense God’s intimate presence in the daily routine of it all?

This examen meditation, when done as a prayer rhythm, can build a framework for spiritual awareness of God in the details of everything – even the most routine and mundane things. Let’s try this practice together!

This episode is written, hosted, and produced by Tony Duppong, exclusively for the Urban Mystics Podcast. Meditations and recordings are property of Urban Mystics. Use of this copyrighted material is not allowed without consent.

Learn more about Urban Mystics by visiting the Urban Mystics website or by joining the new ReWire Hub community and checking out the Urban Mystics space. Find us on Instagram or send us an email at urbanmysticscommunities@gmail.com

Episode Audio Credits:

“42” by Purrple Cat (Album: Distant Worlds III)

“Cat’s Cradle” by Purrple Cat (Album: Morning Coffee)

“Pillow Fort” by Purrple Cat (Album: Cozy Cabin Beats)

We love Purrple Cat's music and are customers and supporters. You can find and support Purrple Cat's music at ⁠https://purrplecat.com/

“Valley of Silence Meditation” by alanfrijns (Downloaded from Pixabay)

We had some technical issues with the audio originally uploaded with these and other episodes from our Advent series. We apologize for the poor listening quality and hope you will give these episodes another chance with this new track upload.

Advent Meditations - Mary's Song

In this Advent meditation, we invite you to gaze reflectively on Mary, the mother of our Lord. Look upon her courage, her grace, and her total trust in the will and love of God. Join Dan as he leads us in a reflection on the Magnificat – Mary’s song of praise and devotion.

Luke 1:46-55

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful
to Abraham and his descendants forever

just as he promised our ancestors.”

This episode is written and hosted by Dan Lee and produced by Tony Duppong, exclusively for the Urban Mystics Podcast.

Learn more about Urban Mystics by visiting the Urban Mystics website or by joining the new ReWire Hub community and checking out the Urban Mystics space. Find us on Instagram or send us an email at urbanmysticscommunities@gmail.com

Meditations and recordings are property of Urban Mystics. Use of this copyrighted material is not allowed without consent.

Vocal Credits

Special thanks to the vocal talent of Tiffany Cornwell, reading as Mary This episode is hosted by Dan Lee

Tony Duppong reading as Angel Gabriel

Episode Audio Credits:

Christmas Lofi (File #179298) from Pixabay

Valley of Silence Meditation by alanfrijns (File #122612) from Pixabay

You and I by lofi_hour (File # 133401) from Pixabay

We apologize for the technical difficulties in the last few Urban Mystics episodes. We are working hard to remaster these files and upload episodes with high sound quality.

Merry Christmas from Urban Mystics!

Today we celebrate the birth of our King! We wanted to give you all one more “special” Christmas episode as a “thank you” for listening to Urban Mystics.

This episode of Urban Mystics is inspired by artwork created by illustrator Everett Patterson titled “Jose y Maria”. You can view this art on his website or purchase it through his shop on Etsy.

This episode is written, hosted, and produced by Tony Duppong, exclusively for the Urban Mystics Podcast. Meditations and recordings are property of Urban Mystics. Use of this copyrighted material is not allowed without consent.

Learn more about Urban Mystics by visiting the Urban Mystics website or by joining the new ReWire Hub community and checking out the Urban Mystics space. Find us on Instagram or send us an email at urbanmysticscommunities@gmail.com

Vocal Credits

Special thanks to the vocal talent of Tiffany Cornwell!

Episode Audio Credits:

Sound effects downloaded through public domain via:

• https://pixabay.com/
• https://www.zapsplat.com/

Sound Effects from https://freesound.org including:

• City Sounds from klau78
• Walking Sounds from evsecrets
• Sounds from MadamViscious
• Sounds from khenshom
• Baby Sounds from GiovanniProvenzale