The Urban Well: Exploring the Unfolding Path
Mar 29, 2024 09:31AM ● By Martin Miron
(L-R) Amanda Lyda, Kate Brossman and Sound Healer Ken Ebert
The Urban Well, a hybrid spiritual space and historic downtown campus, maintains a remarkable online following
with resources open to all that seek the wisdom and practices they need to live with more joy, energy and depth.
Sharing ancient spiritual practices from the deserts of Egypt and
the rainforests of South Asia, the Urban Well is a center for sharing
transformative contemplative practices that is at home in both
Eastern and Western religious traditions. David Peck, an Episcopal
parish priest of Saint James, Lancaster, which hosts the center for
contemplative spirituality, says, “The world is now much smaller
and more connected; and yet so much religious thinking remains
defensive and anxious. That was not the posture of Jesus or any of
the great teachers.”
From resonant Gregorian chanting and
prayers by candlelight
on each of the city’s artsfocused First Fridays
to Indian sitar, Tibetan
singing bowl and Middle
Eastern oud, varied
soundscapes provide
insight into the revitalization of mind, body and soul. Urban
Well studios and prayer spaces interweave daily yoga, meditation
teaching, retreats employing Brené Brown-certified facilitators and
her reflections on healing, resilience and wholeheartedness in the
context of addiction and recovery, as well as online group study of
classical Buddhist texts and Gandhi’s non-violence philosophy.
Urban Well Executive Director Kate Brossman and Amanda Lyda,
a restorative yoga instructor, appreciate the interface of teaching
those new to yoga in an off-the-street community setting. Brossman explains, “While a new, purpose-built yoga studio is being
completed for the summer, we use a chapel space or other meeting
room to introduce people to yoga and meditative practices. Many want a recovery path back to greater confidence and wholeness in
their bodies and spirit, while others are healing from old wounds.
This work is done through slow and intentional movement while
we also build community and share in a really rewarding contemplative experience.
One participant, Sylvia
Cavanaugh, a poet and
recently retired school
teacher who moved to
Lancaster, observes, “A
simple sidewalk sign
drew me into the Urban
Well and contemplative
prayer. I had previously
studied Daoism and
Buddhism, and practiced
meditation. I also studied the historical Jesus. These two passions
of mine had seemed quite separate. Contemplative prayer at Saint
James has unified my meditative practice with my love of Jesus. I
couldn’t have been more surprised to discover an age-old practice
of meditation within Christianity.”
Anthony Galati, a younger Urban Well participant who works in
human services, says, “Discovering contemplative practices in a
warm community helps me cultivate a spirituality that enriches
both my inner world and everyday experiences.”
John Kincaid, an artist who moved to Lancaster during the pandemic, reflects on how learning a new prayer practice like silent
meditation that gets beyond words and images helps him. “When
on a pilgrimage, I walked the Camino de Santiago, in Spain. I realized how easy it was to see God almost as an idol, rather than pure
relationship. Contemplative prayer has helped me to keep exploring this unfolding path.
For more information, visit UrbanWell.org.