Be Still and Know that I am God

When I am trying to pray or meditate, but my “monkey mind” is jumping around and I am unable to become centered, or when I am particularly anxious about something, I practice this very simple meditation on Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God!”

The form of meditation is to take slow, deep breaths while repeating the entire verse once; then – continuing to breathe slowly and deeply – repeat the verse by phrases as follows, pausing as long as you wish between each phrase to let it sink in.

               Be still, and know that I am God.

                      Be still, and know that I am.

                              Be still, and know that.

                                    Be still, and know.

                                                    Be still.

                                                          Be.

I repeat this process as many times as I need to until I feel more calm and centered, and my mind and heart feel more spacious and open to receiving God’s presence. Different phrases speak to me at different times. Often it’s “Be still”, or “Be”. This morning, as I was feeling anxious about what is happening in the world and in my own life, the phrases were, “Be still, and know that I am. Be still, and know that. Be still, and know.” I emerged calmer, more centered, and deeply grateful.

You may want to try this meditation and see what emerges for you.

Nancy Warren

Slowing Down

For me, these first few weeks of Lent have a core focus of caring for Diane before, during and after her knee surgery. Little victories are celebrated-like coming home from the hospital and then going back to Prince Frederick to have the staples removed, and finding out that everything is going really well, then stopping at Starbucks and treating ourselves to smoothies. Life slows down.

Part of my routine these days is preparing for adult Sunday School. This past week we studied John 4:5-42, which I suspect is the longest Gospel reading in the lectionary, and brimming with issues and nuances, from Samaritan woman to living water to sowing and reaping. My slowing down with Diane gave me a chance to read it again and again, but I still fussed about whether I was ready to lead the discussion. Then it snowed on Saturday night! Snow always slows things down, and I love to tale pictures of the snow, and the church grounds is one of my favorite places. The daffodils were up in front of Middleham Chapel and covered with snow.

So I thought, we may have one or two people for Sunday School. To my surprise and delight, eleven people came, together with great reflections about the gospel. So slowing things down makes good things happen.

Hugh Davies