“The true self is our whole self before God, the self we were created to become, our self in Christ. It is the self that breathes, that stands and sits. It is the self that is. The true self, being simple like God, can be realized only in the mode of simple, contemplative awareness.”
—James Finley from Thomas Merton’s Palace of Nowhere
Breathe in for eight beats.
Gently pause for a beat.
Breathe out for 10-12 beats.
Gently pause for a beat.
Inhale peace.
Exhale joy.
Be gentle with yourself.
Thoughts will come. Watch them with compassion and release them.
Return to your breath.
May you have all that you most need, every grace, boundless peace.
Namaste. And every blessing.
“But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you;
let the birds tell you what’s going on.
Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics.
Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories.
Isn’t it clear that they all know and agree
that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand—
Every living soul, yes,
every breathing creature?
Isn’t this all just common sense,
as common as the sense of taste?
Do you think the elderly have a corner on wisdom,
that you have to grow old before you understand life?”
—Job 12:7–12 (MSG)
Earlier essays on Advent:
HOLIDAY SPECIALS
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