These two words, “contemplative” and “action” continue to be infused into living these days. A magnificent piece of music is currently playing, Gloria Patri, written by Vivaldi. The piece is slow and meditative, drawing me again to these two words - contemplative action. Like a cup of tea where the leaves continue to transform the water to make a comforting drink that warms and soothes as it is taken within, these words are infused into my being.
I recently attended a gathering for facilitators of Centering Prayer groups. Due to traffic we arrived a bit late and were there just in time for the first 20 minutes of silence - the first sit of the day of Centering Prayer. The ‘silence’ was filled with sound and movement; the coffee pot gurgled and sloshed as it percolated and also released the fragrance of the brewing beverage into the air, the fan was loud as it intermittently switched on and off to move the air around the room. You could hear others breathing. Be still and know that I am God is the instruction we use for this practice. We moved into stillness and in that place of waiting and being I found my senses became so alive and the smallest movement or sound was crystal clear. There is no sound as each moves into their own heart space to sit with the Spirit - it is a silent movement that draws the heart, mind, body and soul to singleness, to come undivided before God, to come to this precious intimate room within, that has no limits as to size capability.
What really is astonishing me is that action comes from stillness! Yes, in our little coastal community here in British Columbia, I am finally letting my being be open to the reality that there is inner movement as I learn to be still. Lingering, a most delightful action for the senses to embrace, invites me to contemplative spaces. Jesus friends seemed to linger in the places he was. I love lingering, just being present with God in solitude. I love those spaces of time when my husband and I linger together. It isn’t stagnant or stifling in these places. You reach down deep inside, letting your senses connect you to everything around and let the Spirit connect you to this deeply intimate action of being present, awake, aware and alive to this one moment! Business of action and of my mind seem to intrude to steal this time from me all too often and that kind of action paralyzes much of my thinking and my heart. Stillness has to be so intentional for me and while the Spirit often invites me into this place my heart does not always accept the invitation. Yet I know it is the only place where my creative side begins to unfold and my senses become very tuned in. It is the space where “ah ha” moments are revealed.
Be still and know that I am God: to be still one must be present and to know ( that inner place of acknowledging) one must open the heart to listen. It also speaks of obedience - following the voice of Love.
Looking out at the morning fog I feel the stillness and I also feel the embrace of Holy Presence - the stillness invites my soul to gentle and deep action to live, to love, to be and to know God and myself a little better. The words in my journal begin to unfold and creative ideas begin to flow.
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