Stillness is
an art, something to be nurtured and cultivated.
A quote by
C.S. Lewis has been displayed on my refrigerator for 20 years. It speaks to “wishes and hopes” that rush at
us like wild animals every morning, and how our first job of the day is to
“shove them all back” and “let that other larger, stronger, quieter life come
flowing in.” This reminds me of the ancient practice of hesychasm, or drawing
inward (beyond the senses) in prayer.
I also find the
following quote profound. It speaks to stillness that enables prayer
not as a vacant void, but an intentional focus:
“So, morning
or evening, immediately before you begin your prayers, stand awhile, sit for
awhile, or walk a little and try to steady your mind and turn it away from all
worldly activities and objects. After this, think who He is to whom you turn in
prayer, then recollect who you are; who it is who is about to start this
invocation to Him in prayer. Do this in such a way as to awake in your heart a
feeling of humility and reverent awe that your are standing in the presence of
God. It is the beginning of prayer, and a good beginning is half the complete
task.”
- St. Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
- St. Theophan the Recluse (1815-1894)
- Morning's first light, another new
beginning. All is well, and I am still.
1 comment:
Well stated. I am an advocate of being still before God. In the beginning, I found it difficult to quiet my mind but now it comes easily. Thank you for your encouragement.
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