Entering the Silence
Sometimes we listen for God in scriptures, and stories, and songs. Sometimes we listen for God in the Silence. The Silence is less about the absence of sound, and more about a quality of attention. When we enter the Silence, we listen for God not only with our ears, but with our whole bodies, and our hearts.
Whenever we gather for worship at St. Gregory's, we take time to enter the Silence together. We use bells to mark the Silence.
Some people find it easy to enter the Silence. Some people find it difficult to enter the Silence. The Silence can sometimes make us feel anxious, or restless, or bored, but with practice the Silence can become a place where we find peace, and love, and strength. When we enter the Silence, we remember that God is within us and around us. Entering the Silence is a gift we can offer to ourselves and to the people around us.
Below are some exercises to help you practice entering the Silence. Begin by setting aside 2-3 minutes to practice entering the Silence each day. With practice, you will be able to enter the Silence and find God more fully at church, at home, and even in the middle of your busy, noisy, daily life!
Whenever we gather for worship at St. Gregory's, we take time to enter the Silence together. We use bells to mark the Silence.
Some people find it easy to enter the Silence. Some people find it difficult to enter the Silence. The Silence can sometimes make us feel anxious, or restless, or bored, but with practice the Silence can become a place where we find peace, and love, and strength. When we enter the Silence, we remember that God is within us and around us. Entering the Silence is a gift we can offer to ourselves and to the people around us.
Below are some exercises to help you practice entering the Silence. Begin by setting aside 2-3 minutes to practice entering the Silence each day. With practice, you will be able to enter the Silence and find God more fully at church, at home, and even in the middle of your busy, noisy, daily life!
Practice
Don't worry about looking at your phone, watch, or clock when you practice: let one of the recordings below be your "timer." The bowl bells invite you to enter the Silence. The chimes invite you to end your practice.
We can use our bodies to help us enter the silence. Try this "Bell & Body" practice.
We can use our imaginations to help us enter the silence. Try this "Rainbow" practice.
We can use our words and hands to help us enter the silence. Try these "Hand" and "Prayer Bead" practices.
|
|
|
We can use our breath to help us enter the silence. Try these "Belly", "Elevator", and "4,7, 8" breathing practices.
|
|
|
|
More Resources
For Parents, Teachers, Children and Youth
Christian Meditation for Young People (FANTASTIC website from the World Community for Christian Meditation)
Helping children meditate with Lectio Divina
Helping children meditate with a Mantra
Questions children may ask about meditation
Purpose of Christian Meditation with children
"Spider Man" Meditation: Practicing Mindfulness and Increasing Focus (article)
Daniel Goleman Video playlist on helping children cultivate focus (video playlist)
"Journey to the Heart: Centering Prayer for Children" by Frank Jelenek (picture book)
"Silence" by Lemniscates (picture book)
Christian Meditation for Young People (FANTASTIC website from the World Community for Christian Meditation)
Helping children meditate with Lectio Divina
Helping children meditate with a Mantra
Questions children may ask about meditation
Purpose of Christian Meditation with children
"Spider Man" Meditation: Practicing Mindfulness and Increasing Focus (article)
Daniel Goleman Video playlist on helping children cultivate focus (video playlist)
"Journey to the Heart: Centering Prayer for Children" by Frank Jelenek (picture book)
"Silence" by Lemniscates (picture book)
|
|
|
For Older Teens/Adults
Contemplative Outreach (website)
Silent Compassion: Finding God in Contemplation by Richard Rohr
Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer by Thomas Keating
For Any Age
A Simple Peace Meditation, instructions from onethousandactsofpeace.org
Other
"Breathe", a Christian music video meditation on breath with music by GUNGOR
"Broken Record", a poem by Michael Moynahan
3 minute retreats, a resource for online prayer
Contemplative Outreach (website)
Silent Compassion: Finding God in Contemplation by Richard Rohr
Intimacy with God: An Introduction to Centering Prayer by Thomas Keating
For Any Age
A Simple Peace Meditation, instructions from onethousandactsofpeace.org
Other
"Breathe", a Christian music video meditation on breath with music by GUNGOR
"Broken Record", a poem by Michael Moynahan
3 minute retreats, a resource for online prayer