"The Practice of Remembering" (Casey Tygrett)

TITLE: The Practice of Remembering: Uncovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life
AUTHOR: Casey Tygrett
PUBLISHER: Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2023, (216 pages).
 

"Memories light the corners of my mind," so sings Barbra Streisand in one of the most cherished classics of the modern age, "The Way We Were." As author Casey Tygrett writes, "Without memory, there is no formation," that we are "memory-made people," and that without memories, "we cannot become." We are who we are by learning and remembering. Whether it is writing a memoir or penning a journal, our acts of recalling something are crucial aspects of being. Using the various aspects of "experiences, memories, stories, and scripts," Tygrett guides us through an amazing journey of the practice of remembering. 

He helps us explore the four movements of remembering: 

1. Like shells that possess incredible memories, we first bring forth these shells;
2. Honest engagement with the implications;
3. Create stories out of these implications;
4. Explore how God is molding us through these.

All these can be sparked with one prompt: "I remember the moment when ________."

In the first movement, he uses the metaphors of shells to help us see how our memories are born from experiences; how memories build stories; how we listen to our own stories; and how we find ourselves in the script of life. Rather than separating the four aspects of remembering, he shows us how all of them are part of the same story. Memories make for storytelling. As we remember our past experiences and stories, we can begin writing a script of the past, present, and also the future. Not all remembering is kind. There are some that we would rather not recall at all. Tygrett guides readers into our memories with honest confessions and the gentle interplay of remembering, forgiving, and redeeming. We learn that every memory belongs and once we reconcile them, they could point us forward to help determine the paths God intended for us to go. He shares various illustrations of biblical characters who experience various challenges in life, such as freedom from captivity, Israel's time in the wilderness; and how God takes us from our weaknesses to strengths while traveling through the wilderness of life. It is interesting to see how mental memories and physical places are connected, such as forgetfulness in exile and remembrance as redemption. 

There is also the part about remembering the dark side of our memories, such as disappointment, embarrassment, failures, pain, etc. This calls for a time of learning from our past. Memories also play a part in building communities and gaining wisdom. This is exemplified by teaching and passing down of history to the next generation. With each storytelling and retelling, we learn. Other memory devices used include music, emotions, incidents, and mealtimes at the table. 

My Thoughts
Let me give three thoughts about this book. First, this book is a profound work of art and spirituality. There are many pockets of opportunities to pause at the words and to reflect on what it means for us personally. Tygrett uses many active and lively words to guide our thoughts. Words like discipline, experience, learning, noticing, rhythms, and of course remembering. Each chapter is full of poignant quotes, with engaging examples to help us relate our invisible memories to our visible world. His use of shells is a simple yet effective one. From his personal experience of gathering shells on the beach, he begins with the gathering of shells (experiences), choosing which to keep (memories), and learning to lay them out before us (making meaning of our memories). We can bring them out, count them, reflect on them, and choose which to keep and which to discard. All of these are components of our own spiritual formation. Gathering shells as memories is both personal and communal, with lots of opportunities for self-reflection and storytelling.

Second, this book is filled with practical tips to challenge us to lay hold of our memories and to make meaning out of them. There are practices for narrating our memories, journaling, staging, pausing, writing spiritual autobiographies, sabbath rest, the prayer of examen, writing our own psalms, hospitality, and incorporating rhythms of pause. This turns this book into a 2-in-1 resource with theory and practice all in one place. The author does not shy away from incorporating the sciences of health and psychology with biblical faith and spirituality. This gives the book a more holistic treatment which should appeal to a wider audience. Some of the most challenging stuff is dealing with the dark side of our memories, something that many people tend to shy away from. With pastoral sensitivity, Tygrett is a competent guide to help us through that journey. One of the hardest things about remembering is about the dark memories of the past. Avoiding them might be okay at first but doing that might mean we lose a part of our identity. Tygrett assures us that the benefits can outweigh the cons when we courageously deal with those bad experiences. More importantly, they are part of our identity, for better or worse. With Jesus as our guide, we can reshape those memories and tell a story that heals.

Third, this book is a pointer to help us look back meaningfully and to help us live forward purposefully. The last two chapters of the book are intriguing. Tygrett merges memories with the future to encourage us with hope through love and resilience. If the past has been bad, hope urges us toward creating a better tomorrow. The fruit of doing that is increasing wisdom and a better understanding our our experiences, stories, and identities. Like what the Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard used to say, "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." We might not understand why certain events happen in our lives. When we reflect and contemplate on the meaning of it all later, we can learn from it and hopefully become better people. 

May this book inspire more of us toward the rhythms of work and rest, and a constant awareness that in God, nothing is wasted, including all of our memories, past, present, and future.

Casey Tygrett is an author, pastor, and spiritual director in the Chicago, IL area. He is the author of three books as well as the host of the "Restlessness is a Gift" podcast. His passion is for compelling content that leads people to lives of beauty and grace. Booking for speaking & leading retreats as well as more information can be found here: www.caseytygrett.com or on social media (@caseytygrett)

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of InterVarsity Press via NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.