Trusting Breathing Space…
To fully enjoy life, all of us must find our own breathing space and peace of mind.” —James E. Faust
A few recent Eremos offerings included extended time for silence and spaciousness to journal, reflect, or meditate on what attendees had just experienced. In some cases, the benefits were profound even days later. And based on feedback, all seemed to feel varying degrees of peace along with a refreshed spirit afterward.
Even though we’re a contemplative community, it’s not easy for a facilitator to deliberately cut back on the content shared, so people have precious time to process what they’ve learned. Yet when they do resist filling up all the time with speaking, exercises, and having attendees share with each other, the possibilities for heart and spirit-led transformation rise.
Of course, sometimes daydreaming occurs or people find unique ways to distract themselves from the silence and spaciousness. But even if we think we’re not “doing” this time of silence correctly or we think it’s a waste of time that could be filled with learning something new, there’s often ‘work’ being done beneath the surface of our awareness.
“Do whatever you need to slow down. It is time to explore what you are carrying within.” —Roxana Jones
Whether exploring breathing space outdoors or inside your mind and heart, trust that just beyond any discomfort in the seemingly empty space gifts of clarity, peace, and freedom may appear.
May you have the courage to seek, find, and rest in breathing spaces inside and out.
A Moment of Stillness
“Find a moment of stillness, give your heart a chance to tell you where you really need to be.”
—Dodinsky
Find Space
“Find space in your day when you can practice mindful breathing and letting go of tensions.”
―Thich Nhat Hanh
TODAY
Today I’m flying low and I’m
not saying a word.
I’m letting all the voodoos of ambition sleep.
The world goes on as it must,
the bees in the garden rumbling a little,
the fish leaping, the gnats getting eaten.
And so forth.
But I’m taking the day off.
Quiet as a feather.
I hardly move though really I’m traveling
a terrific distance.
Stillness. One of the doors
into the temple.
―Mary Oliver, A Thousand Mornings
