Practicing stillness

I picked up Mark Scandrette's book Practicing The Way of Jesus again the other day. Part 2 deals with 'practices.' Chapter 7 is "Experiments in Identity." I found this to be an incredible chapter.

Scandrette asks us to consider, "How would I cope if my work and identity were suddenly taken from me?" I've known several people in my life who have had this happen - maybe we all do at some point - and some cope 'okay,' while some not so well. Personally, I guess I am still trying to cope, and given that fact, I'd probably have to put myself in the latter category.

The remainder of the chapter then covers experiments in Awakening Creativity, Entering Silence, and Embracing Stillness.

When I read the part on Embracing Stillness... it really connected with me. So much so that I spent the rest of the day and evening thinking about it. Even going so far as to wonder about starting a class in practicing stillness at the Y! I doubt my boss would ever go for it, but I have to think there are not just a few people who would find it beneficial.

From page 114 on, Scandrette offers a description of an experiment in stillness prayer called 'Seeking the Kingdom Within.' It can be done as a one-time group exercise, or a four- to six-week daily practice with weekly check-ins and group practice.

It consists of, basically, doing just what the name implies... you practice being still. I suppose there are many ways you could look at it, depending on your religious inclinations or "non" inclinations. The book looks at it as a form of prayer.

They say the first step is to become still in your body: "The Hebrew word for 'repent,' shuvah, literally means 'to return.' Choosing to be still can be seen as a physical act of repentance - a bodily statement that you are no longer on the run, but returning to the love and care of your Creator."

A second step is to quiet your mind. I'm just going to quote from the book here...

"To do this, focus on your breathing. The Creator formed you and brings life to you, by breath. It may be helpful to use a 'breath prayer': either a favorite name you use to cry out to God, like 'Father,' 'Jesus,' 'Abba' or 'Daddy,' or a short text of Scripture. Here are a few that I've found helpful. From the Psalms: 'I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.' (Psalm 131:2). From the Gospels, the simple prayer of a tax collector: 'Lord have mercy on me' (Luke 18:13). Called the Jesus Prayer in Easter Orthodox tradition, "Lord Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner"... 'In you I live and move and have my being' (Acts 17:28) is a personalized phrasing of the apostle Paul's speech in Athens. Another from the Psalms is a prayer of examen: 'Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts' (Psalm 139:23). One of my favorite breath prayers is very primitive; it's Hagar's exclamation when she encountered God in the desert: 'You are the God who sees me' (Genesis 16:13). You might find it helpful to slowly meditate on one of these prayers, as you breathe in and out, to help you become more attentive to God."

Towards the end is this final reminder: "Stillness prayer practice is not an end in itself, but a means to becoming more aware, responsive and surrendered to God in every moment of our lives."

They suggest, whether in a class or not, taking 20 minutes or so a day to practice... being still before God.
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Aside from the book, my mind is still whirring with thoughts of this. I suppose I like the idea of practicing stillness because of my interest in and practice of meditation over the past years. In many respects, I see them as one in the same (as far as my personal practice goes). I will often use the 'sinners prayer' or something like "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want" (Psalm 23:1) as breath prayers or meditations.

As far as a class in this... I think the Y is a perfect place for it - and the downtown one I work at especially. Supposedly the mission of the Y is: 'To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.' It fits that. I would think it also fits into the downtown business culture where people spend their days in meetings, on the phones, or interacting with others. Even from a societal standpoint - we are such a culture of movement and constant activity - the need to be still (and the need to practice being still) seems a no-brainer. Shoot, think of parents with small children!

I could envision a 30-40 minute class, maybe over lunch-time, where people could come and either sit, stand, or lay on a mat... and still their mind and body. They could pray if they want, or meditate, or... heck, they could sleep for all I care! I guess I would maybe make the stillness part like 20-30 minutes, and then allow 5 minutes or so on the front and back end for questions or discussion. I think Monday noon would be the best day to do it. The weekend activities are over and you're just getting back into the grind... What better time to need to re-connect with your Center.

The book deals with this from a prayer perspective. A simple google search on 'practicing stillness' brought up a ton more info from psychology to business leadership to child development. So it's not just about religion; it's about life and people in general!

I think part of the draw of calling it 'stillness' is that it's not meditation, it's not prayer, it doesn't have to be regilous or "eastern" or anything people might think of as 'weird.' It is simply being still. Nothing more, nothing less. And sometimes it's the simplest things that we have the hardest time with (therefore the need to practice).

Anyway, I doubt that I will do anything with it... but it's really the first thing I've felt at all inspired to do in some time - whether from a faith perspective or at work. I think the potential is there... but, we'll see.