tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post1298226957304944078..comments2023-09-12T11:31:20.729-05:00Comments on Straight-Friendly: Practice StillnessTimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-28909914390243556612012-03-01T22:19:12.302-06:002012-03-01T22:19:12.302-06:00I agree, Pam, I too find stillness in writing--whi...I agree, Pam, I too find stillness in writing--which enables me to get lost in thought. (Much to my partner's dismay at times, I might add, as I quickly lose track of time.)<br /><br /><i>It comes....sometimes I find it...sometimes it finds me....<br />but it always comes when I need it most.</i><br /><br />I know exactly what you mean. I can't really explain it, but I love when it happens!<br /><br />And, yes, there are a number of disciplines like those you mention that help usher us into stillness. I often pray the scriptures as well, yet I sometimes find myself talking back to them when I should be still and attentive!<br /><br />Many blessings, dear sister,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-55276228968303233862012-03-01T20:17:37.249-06:002012-03-01T20:17:37.249-06:00Stillness is much like the journey of life...it co...Stillness is much like the journey of life...it comes and it goes. I have practiced many different disciplines to enter the still calm peaceful presence of God.<br /><br />Writing often does this for me...words moving and forming and coming from some place that feels other than myself, preaching--words moving through air and bodies learning into them hearing them and even more as the electron synapse in the listeners ear.<br /><br />I paint---when words can't be found, often color will silence the noice through drawing or painting or sketching...<br /><br />I have worked with a spiritual director---retreated----stayed in silence......<br /><br />I can even be in the midst of a busy room and leave---letting my spirit drink from a source of life that sometimes surprises...<br /><br />it comes....sometimes I find it...sometimes it finds me....<br />but it always comes when I need it most..............<br /><br />the easiest is to practise of lectio devina or praying the scriptures........<br /><br />have a great evening........pAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01523060897792410266noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-22205101706200803992012-03-01T12:16:15.046-06:002012-03-01T12:16:15.046-06:00Jan, thank you for the tip about the app! It may b...Jan, thank you for the tip about the app! It may be just what I need to overcome my own immaturity!<br /><br />And thanks for passing along Bro. Lawrence's comment. It's so true that if we don't actively pursue growth and discipline, we begin to lose ground.<br /><br />You have been a marvelous help to me--and I'm sure to others who come here.<br /><br />Many blessings and much gratitude,<br />TimTimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-84083185209804767112012-03-01T08:17:42.023-06:002012-03-01T08:17:42.023-06:00My Lenten discipline is to immediately sit for 20 ...My Lenten discipline is to immediately sit for 20 minutes after waking up. I used to regularly sit in silence, but had let it slip by. I am feeling it to be true what Brother Lawrence said--if you are not going forward in the spiritual life, you are going backwards.<br /><br />Silly though it is, the Ipod (probably Iphone, too) app called "Equanimity" has a little timer that starts and ends with a bong that helps me to center. The accountability it provides shows my immaturity, but helps me at this point!Janhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08061517211101084120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2722447614945782871.post-48321394921324650992012-02-29T22:41:56.189-06:002012-02-29T22:41:56.189-06:00I confess I have a long way to go in practicing st...I confess I have a long way to go in practicing stillness. When I try to create it, I become very self-conscious and my mind strains to figure out what it should be doing. Thus, I do all I can to make way for stillness--to be ready to enter it when it presents itself to me. And I've found it often comes at the oddest times, in the oddest places. I can be in the middle of a crowded room and suddenly feel myself grow still. I can be halfway through a TV show and feel myself withdraw, causing me to wander into another room to be still. So I suppose my practice of stillness begins by staying open to it, by letting it call me apart, whether physically or mentally. But what I've learned over the years is that heeding stillness's call also enables me to call to it. When I'm inundated with inner, or outer, chaos, I can reach for it and it will find me.Timhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01271248501086241494noreply@blogger.com