For eons we lived in a world where change was so slow that a snails’ pace would by comparison seem like a racing car from the famous Le Mans car race. Stability was the name of the game, be it in government or institutions (e.g., the Christian church).
Then, with the advent of the industrial revolution, visible change started happening, relatively slow but very real. Then, as of the end of the nineteen fifties early sixties, with the technological revolution as it has been called, change really started accelerating at an ever-greater pace till it became the norm, and stability the exception. And there is not even the slightest hint that things might slow down. For example, for quite a few decades the most frequent word used in advertising has been “n-e-w.”
Deep Rest and Total Silence
In each one of us there is a place of deep, deep rest and total silence where the word “time” is inexistent.
Some of us access that space in deep meditation every day and a few fortunate ones are so conscious of its presence they carry it with them all through the day. The great news is that access is totally free and available to anyone ready to invest a moment each morning as part of their daily hygiene – what a spiritual teacher I knew called “establishing your day”.
All it needs is an unbending commitment to take a brief period – maybe 20 minutes or so to start with, which will probably expand with time and practice. (A dear friend of mine who has his own professional practice easily takes one and a half to two hours. But that’s his free choice. He also has no TV!) You can start by some kind of meditation or a more specifically oriented spiritual practice – there are so many kinds of each I will not even hint at some specific one as the choice is so personal.
Your Inner Haven
A remarkable American metaphysician of the 19th century, Mary Baker Eddy, once made the incredibly encouraging statement: “A deep sincerity is sure of success, for God takes care of it”. (And if the word “God” bothers you, find your own equivalent: Universal Mind, infinite Spirit, Cosmic Guidance …). And if your commitment is really unbending and sincere, it is absolutely certain that you will get there.
Your inner haven is just awaiting you.
A Blessing for Inner Listening
Some great spiritual seers state that silence should be the very foundation of spiritual life and prayer, not talking nonstop to Divine Love, but listening to what Love has to say to us. (The following is excerpted from Day 176 of the book "365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World".)
I bless myself in my ability to go into the silence and listen to Spirit’s words of unconditional Love and encouragement.
I bless myself in my ability to calm the constant, strident chatter of the human mind and rest by the deep pool of inner contentment that homes deep down inside me, awaiting my visit.
I bless myself in my ability to resist mind’s suggestion that nothing is happening, or that I cannot hear what Spirit is whispering to me, as it is when nothing is happening that I can start listening.
I bless myself in my ability to simply sit still and just observe without resisting if any strong emotions or fears come welling up – just letting them be and observing instead of judging.
I bless myself in my ability to rearrange my daily schedule so as to make this precious practice of listening a daily gift to myself.
©2022 by Pierre Pradervand. All Rights Reserved.
Reprinted with permission from the author's blog.
Book by this Author
365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World: Really Living One’s Spirituality in Everyday Life
by Pierre Pradervand.
Can you imagine what it would feel like to never feel any resentment for any wrong done to you, gossip or lie disseminated about you? To respond with full awareness to all situations and people rather than react from your gut? What freedom that would entail! Well, this is just one of the gifts the practice of blessing from the heart, i.e. sending out focused love energy, will do for you. This book, from the bestselling author of The Gentle Art of Blessing, will help you learn to bless all situations and people as you go through the day and add overwhelming joy and presence to your existence.
For more info and/or to order this book, click here. Also available as a Kindle edition.
About The Author
Pierre Pradervand is the author of The Gentle Art of Blessing. He has worked, travelled and lived in over 40 countries on five continents, and has been leading workshops and teaching the art of blessing for many years, with remarkable responses and transformational results.
For over 20 years Pierre has been practising blessing and collecting testimonies of blessing as a tool for healing the heart, mind, body and soul.
Visit his website at https://gentleartofblessing.org
