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Being Contemplative in a Hectic Life
By Sister Julie | April 30, 2008
I’m still meditating on Nancy’s question, how can I dedicate my whole self to God?, and some of the responses I’ve received. A couple moms wrote in and talked about the desire to be more contemplative in the midst of a very active life … and the desire sometimes to want to retreat from it all and head for the woods!
As an active religious sister, I can appreciate how that feels — and I’m wondering if contemplative nuns (the sisters who are monastic and/or cloistered) ever feel this way too. Even though my life is vowed to God and everything I do is through the lens of my love for and relationship with Jesus, and my mission and life as an IHM Sister, there are often times when I just need to step away from everything into solitude, into the wilderness of the woods. For me it’s a desire to tap into my spirit and be with God alone without any words, images, sights or sounds. That space might happen on a street corner in downtown Chicago for a split second (remember Thomas Merton’s experience in Louisville at the corner of 4th and Walnut?) or it might happen while I am alone and still in the darkness of a dense forest.
Such experiences of contemplation are not really things we can “make happen” ourselves but are true gifts from God. The saints (again, my dear friend Saint Teresa of Avila) write that we can dispose ourselves to be more open to receive this gift, but ultimately it comes from God, when and how and where God wills.
What are some ways that you find a contemplative space in your hectic day/week/month?
With all of our important responsibilities — raising children, making a living, ministering to others — how do we respond to that God-given longing for solitude?
Topics: prayer |
April 30th, 2008 at 10:25 am
This is great to think about. I’ve always thought that it was up to me to find those contemplative moments….I should have realized that it was up to God to give them to me! One of the themes that our priest often visits in his homilies is “it’s all gift”. It’s such a simple idea, but an easy one to forget.
April 30th, 2008 at 11:04 am
Another great issue. I hope to answer more fully later, but a few quick thoughts …it is true that hearing God’s voice is a challenge and we certainly cannot force God to talk with us clearly, any more than we can force other humans to talk with us. I do think, however, that God is communicating with us pretty constantly, although we often cannot discern what is being said because of all “the clutter.” There are so many distractions and other sounds we hear, we need some solitude and quiet to focus on God’s voice. The good news is that we might have more control to create quiet than we are accustomed to think, and this is the benefit of a regular prayer practice. It is not that God speaks more often when you are in prayer, but that the exercise of prayer makes getting to that quiet receptive place easier for you to hear God.
Best to all-
David (perplexed why men are so infrequently asked how they manage to balance a career and family)
April 30th, 2008 at 11:12 am
For me, part of what contributes greatly to the ability to remain “centered” in a hectic and busy life is knowing God. The better one knows God, the easier it is to remain centered in Him. If one truly understands and belief every statement in the “Our Father”, I think it would be “hard” for that person to be restless.
When I’m out of balance, starting my day with the “Pray-as-you-go” podcast helps alot. It helps me center back to God although knowing that I’ll face “Hell” during the day. Being centered in God gives me all the strength and confidence to face “Hell”
April 30th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
A good point, David, about God always being in communication with us. Teresa of Avila talks about all the reptiles outside of the castle of our spirit. We get so distracted by the reptiles (e.g., our own business, our fears, “stuff”, etc.) that we never make it to the door of the castle and into a more conscious awareness of the presence of God.
God is always present to us, but we are not always present to God!
April 30th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I agree with David, God is always there and ready to communicate with us. We are the ones living cluttered lives. That is why I need to get away, be quiet for periods of time,so I can be present to God. I know God is with me through the clutter but I often miss Him.
April 30th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I arise early and sit by candlelight to become centered for the day and to read scripture and pray. In the evening, prior to getting into bed to read, I do yoga for about ten minutes, then I silently pray and listen for God’s guidance. My life is very hectic, and these times of contemplation are essential to my being.
April 30th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
I think that the Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh (friend of both Thomas Merton and Martin Luther King) can provide some guidance, even though Buddhism is generally considered non-theistic. Here is an article about his visit in 2003 to Loyola University from the National Catholic Reporter: http://www.natcath.com/NCR_Online/archives2/2003c/091203/091203a.php
In his many books and presentations, Thich Nhat Hanh emphasizes quieting down and becoming “mindful” not only during formal prayer and/or meditation, but in all of our activities. If we can do that, we will be conscious of God’s presence even under the most “mundane” of circumstances. After all, if God is everywhere, it means God is in the dirty dishes and the cleaning of the floors. Tasks are much more bearable if we believe they serve a greater purpose and reflect God’s presence and will.
It reminds me of the tale of three bricklayers working on a hot day. A man approaches them and asks what they are doing. The first one, looking especially tired (although all three were doing the same amount of work), said that he was “laying bricks.” The second one, who looked less tired, but clearly was not enthused, said he was “building a wall of a building.” The third, who seemed enthusiastic about his work, said “I’m doing God’s work by helping to build this school and place of worship.”
Normative Orthodox Judaism formally enforces that mindfulness with dozens of short prayers, “brachot,” that are to be recited during daily occurrences. Not only are there particular prayers thanking God for specific foods, but for such events as seeing a strange animal, seeing a rainbow, meeting a political leader, meeting a scholar, seeing a particularly attractive person, hearing good news, hearing bad news, seeing an injured person, a first event, washing of hands and even of using the restroom. All create a short moment of reflection that this is all God’s wondrous creation- in the PRESENT TENSE.
Having said all that, it is still very valuable to obtain formal time where being contemplative is more conducive. We are only human, and like batteries, we need to be recharged. My morning prayer session is an essential part of my day. Frankly, some days it goes better than others.
Some of the session is quiet reflection/meditation. Sometimes my mind wanders onto the future and what things need to be done that day. Sometimes- all too rarely- I am blessed with staying in the present and feeling the beauty of the universe and God’s presence.
Some of the session is reading of scripture. Sometimes my eyes skim the verse, and my mind fails to comprehend the message. Sometimes I am blessed with insight and appreciate the wisdom being taught.
I also know that what works for one person might not work for another. I seem to be disposed to solitary prayer, while I know many others that prefer communal prayer. I find it easier to communicate with God in a small, plain chapel or bare room, than in a massive and beautifully ornate cathedral or other place of worship.
Ultimately, we must all determine for ourselves how best to be aware of God’s presence and God’s will. It takes some effort (as do all worthwhile things), and it is good to be always questioning whether the communication is TRUE or just our own internal tricky voices, but the quest is always beneficial. By staying true to the quest, one will be blessed- and, more importantly, be a blessing to others.
In honor of Sr. Julie, I end with St. Ignatius’s observation of the balance between “contemplative” and “worldly” efforts: A dios rogando, y con el mazo dando. (Pray to God, and keep hammering.)