Presence Project Week 8
Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it. Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy at the presence of the Lord. — Psalm 98:7-9
What we’re doing in contemplation is learning…how to be present. We’re learning how to access what is—and how to offer ourselves to it. — Richard Rohr
Learning:
At this point, the practice of the presence of God appears to be an easy thing to maintain. The truth is it is very difficult to do so. Henri Nouwen remarks that “to achieve the presence of God is no easy task and the path is strewn with numerous pitfalls and constant difficulty.”
Brother Lawrence acknowledges this and candidly speaks of his own difficulties, distractions and failures. About a dry spell he wrote, “It seemed to me that all creatures, reason, and God himself were against me, and that faith alone was on my side.” Lawrence counsels that “the mind is extremely flighty, but the will…must take hold of it and bring it back to God,” and that “we must work faithfully, without turmoil or anxiety, gently and peacefully bringing our minds back to God as often as we find ourselves distracted.”
However, Lawrence also advocates a very humane and forgiving approach to practicing being present to God. When he failed he simply acknowledged it, surrendered it to God, and no longer worried about it. Here there is no expectation to be perfect, and no reason to be upset over failures. We simply do what we are able to do. Lawrence said, “Everyone is capable of these familiar conversations with God, some more, some less. He knows what we can do. Let’s try. Perhaps he is only looking for the right intention on our part.” Indeed!
Practicing:
With your spiritual partner or in your journal, continue to reflect on these questions…
- This week I sensed Sacred Presence when I…
- This week I savoured God’s Presence when I…
- This week I found it hard to notice the Sacred because I…
- This week when I sensed and savoured God’s Presence it made me feel…
- This week I sensed God’s Presence in an unexpected place…
- I’m finding I tend to “notice” when I’m. . .