Nurturing Attention

A Ministry of Attention

My name is Audrey Ratzlaff, and I work as a companion and ally in Nurturing Attention. I offer a non-judgmental, non-anxious, caring presence to those who work with me, accompanying them on their life's journeys with the Holy One (who is known by many names and in many images). I provide my own attention and hope to cultivate habits of loving attention with others. I have developed this ministry after earning a Master in Divinity degree, serving as a pastor, facilitating spiritual direction and support groups, and training in Spiritual Direction and Gestalt Pastoral Care.

Although I did not grow up attending church, I have found meaningful community with Christians of various denominations and am now a member of a progressive Mennonite congregation. While I cherish my relationship with Jesus, Creator God, and the Holy Spirit, I am open to working with people of other faiths or who practice no faith yet want to explore the holy ground of everyday life.

My life's journey thus far has included the loss of my hair, infertility, marriage and parenting. I am white, cisgender, and heterosexual, but I strive to learn and grow as an ally and welcome clients of diverse backgrounds and identities.

What to Expect

A safe space to explore the layers of yourself and your relationship with the Holy.

A slower pace in which to look for what gives you life, joy, energy, hope, freedom, and peace; and to listen for signs of what is draining those gifts.

With my accompaniment, you can take time to:

• notice God's presence and activity

• ponder and explore the present moment

• listen for nudges in mind, body, and spirit

• discern next steps or a new path

• seek healing of memories, pain, and traumatic experiences

Sessions usually include prayer, silence, conversation, and experiments in breath, verbal phrases, body posture or movement, or visualization; but each session is unique as we explore your particular encounter with the Holy in the moment. You are always in charge and can modify or refuse any question or experiment I suggest.

I believe that the Holy One is always present, always loving, and always inviting each of us toward wholeness, healing, and greater peace in all parts of ourselves and with all creation. I also believe that each person has deep wisdom and access to these Holy invitations. An encounter might begin by focusing in the present moment on whatever has energy for you: a thought, feeling, relationship issue, memory, dream, sensory experience, or bodily sensation. Together, we "stretch toward" that energy, as I help you listen deeply and look closely, with questions like:

What's happening?

What do you notice?

Where do you feel that in your body?

By attending to the present moment, we seek to attune to the Holy One and follow what is revealed. The "results" are often surprising and can bring new insight or a sense of peace.

Details

When? How often?

I schedule sessions Monday-Friday, 10am-3pm. If this doesn't suit you, reach out as limited evening or weekend times may be available.

Many people choose to meet once per month for one-hour meetings, but this is flexible. Regular sessions, even when you're not sure what to say, build the habits of nurturing attention.

Where do we meet?

For local individuals, I have an office near Peabody, Kansas. There are no indoor pets and no smoking. There are a couple steps into the house. If this doesn't suit you, I am willing to explore options.

I also meet by Zoom with people who aren't in my area or need to maintain distance for health reasons.

Alone or with a group?

Many choose individual meetings, and one-on-one sessions allow lots of space and time to explore in-depth.

Small group work is also powerful as those gathered become an ad hoc church community providing witness to the Holy One's presence and activity, as well as support to each individual's growth. If you have a group of three to six interested in this option, contact me to discuss details such as meeting place, frequency, format, and length of sessions.

What are the fees?

One-hour sessions are $50-70, at your discretion to choose the rate the fits your budget.

I do offer an initial exploratory conversation at no charge so we can get to know each other a bit and discern if we might be a good match.

How can I contact you?

Use the contact form below or send me an email at Audrey@nurturingattention.space.

Is this like therapy?

I am not a therapist and this ministry is not a substitute for mental health services or medical advice. I will not analyze or diagnose mental or physical conditions, nor will I advise you on a treatment plan. This ministry can explore areas of mental, physical, spiritual, and social suffering and includes healing prayer. It can complement your care in other areas, but if your symptoms interrupt your daily functioning, you may need the support of a counselor and/or medical professional before beginning.

Questions?

Ready to schedule an exploratory conversation?