Local deacon runs to God
October 27, 2006
Jenny Bryers
http://www.nwanews.com/
BENTONVILLE - Roger Joslin concentrates on breathing while he runs, listening to his shoes hit the pavement or crunch against packed gravel.
He contemplates the syllable “ to “ while breathing in, “ ward “ while exhaling, “ the” with his next breath, and “ one” when he expels it.
The 55-year-old Episcopalian deacon runs as a way to meditate and connect with God. He jogs on the streets of the city of Bentonville, where he is forming a church, or on a lakeside path around Lake Bella Vista, focusing on the moment.
“ It is the present where God is, “ said the deacon, who will become a fullfledged priest in December.
At 2 p. m. Saturday, Joslin will lecture briefly at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Rogers about his book “ Running the Spiritual Path” and sign the new paperback edition or 2003 hardcover version.
He describes his book - a compilation of journal entries, reflections, advice and religious lore - as a Zen of running. The journal entries from 1993 to 2001 reflect his troubled thoughts during his divorce and coincide with his decision to enter the seminary to become an ordained minister, Joslin said.
“ I found if I ran, I felt better, and I just ran and ran and ran, “ Joslin said. Over time, he said, he fashioned his runs into spiritual undertakings, borrowing techniques from Hinduism and Islam, recording in his journal what worked and what didn’t.
He finished the final draft of his book while at the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest. Although his book focuses on a solitary path to spirituality, Joslin now enjoys running as part of a group and plans to start a local spiritual running group. He said some people already refer to him as “ the running priest. “
Joslin said he meditates each morning, something that comes easier after meditating while running. He also tries to write an hour each day, keeping a journal of forming a church plant.