As we enter the season of Epiphany next week we begin the second series of practices (08-14) in ‘Running Over Rocks‘ – ‘PRACTICES OF STILLNESS AND MOVEMENT from complexity towards simplicity: discovering the essence.’
REFLECTION: ‘Do nothing. Do nothing to do something. Do nothing to become something… Perhaps the most important movement we can ever make is, ironically, into stillness. To do something or to become something, it is necessary to do or to become (a kind of) nothing. Stillness is the starting point for much, perhaps even everything, that is truly good…
PRACTICE: Stillness needs practice. It’s a discipline that needs to be explored, learned and befriended. Almost all the great spiritual traditions have made similar discoveries about the path into stillness. Slow into Stillness is our own practice in four steps based on those traditions and our own experience of seeking stillness – here they are in outline:
1. Find a space where you can be without distraction.
2. Find a posture that is alert and comfortable.
3. Give attention to your breathing.
4. Now let a stilling word or prayer word form silently within you…’
©Ian Adams 2013 ‘Running Over Rocks: spiritual practices to transform tough times’ (Canterbury Press)
Look out for short daily posts around this week’s theme on Facebook and Twitter. We’ll be doing the practices wherever we are, and we’ll look forward to hearing how you get on – do let us know!