The “Be Still” spiritual practice that I’m following in response to our church’s health plan is divided into six weeks, two weeks for each practice. The first is gratitude.
Deepen Your Awareness of God’s Grace
Ancient Roots: Examen
Developed in the 16th century by St. Ignatius Loyola, Examen invites you to review the day’s events to detect God’s presence and direction for you.
Choose from the following daily gratitude practices. Consider one that pulls you outside your comfort zone. Each practice invites you to reflect on the same set of questions. Continue for at least two weeks, trying more than one gratitude practice if you’d like.
Reflection
When practiced alone, this option provides an opportunity for quiet meditation. When practiced with others, it invites each person to share what stirred in them.
Light a candle (or other light source) as a reminder of God’s presence.
Ask yourself or share with others:
What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that?
What is troubling me? How is God present in that?
Close with a prayer and extinguish the candle.
Journaling
Many journaling teachers encourage writers to use pen and paper, believing that when we write with our hands, our words are closer to our hearts. Choose a medium that feels secure (notebook, computer program, blog, etc.).
Start by writing for five minutes. Work up to 10 minutes or more.
Respond to these questions:
What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that?
What is troubling me? How is God present in that?
Footsteps
Our bodies often register emotions before our minds do, if only we stop to listen. This option invites you to slow down one of the body’s most routine motions to focus on a single step.
Take one step and ask yourself: What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that?
Pause to scan your body. Notice where you feel gratitude — for example, a loosening of the jaw, or relaxing of the shoulders. Repeat this process two more times.
Take another step and ask yourself: What is troubling me? How is God present in that?
Again, pause to notice physical sensations. Repeat this process twice more for a total of six steps.
Movement
Regular walkers often say it takes several minutes (or even several miles) along the path before they start to sense mental calmness. With this option, engage your body as a way of quieting your mind.
Choose an activity that doesn’t require too much concentration ― like walking, jogging, or a familiar yoga routine.
Once you fall into a rhythm, reflect on these questions:
What am I most grateful for? How is God present in that?
What is troubling me? How is God present in that?
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