In The Stillness

Trappist monks rise to begin Vigils, the first Hour of the Liturgy of the Hours, somewhere around 3:00 am. Outside the chapel there is a stillness that certainly can't be found later in the day. Stars and planets seem within reach, the Milky Way is clearly evident and an enormous sense of peace wraps around the soul. It is easy to chime into the chanting of the monks when there is such stillness. No wonder the Psalmist could write, "Be still and know that I am God." (Ps 46:11).
We don't have the luxury of living in or near a Trappist monastery; most of us don't rise at 3:00 am unless we're heading to the airport for a very early flight. And in that case, we are not in a very contemplative state of mind. How then do we capture the stillness so necessary for coming to know God? Even when we sit in our favorite chair, or before the Blessed Sacrament during Adoration, our minds run in high gear. A half hour is not enough to shut it down so that we are still.
Here's one "procedure" we might follow: Slowing down our breathing over the course of 20 or 30 breaths is a big help. Closing our eyes and sensing the different parts of our body brings us into ourselves. Dismissing one thought or distraction by simply imagining an open door and a broom can help us sweep our imaginations and minds clean till there is emptiness and stillness...no thoughts, just being there, conscious only of our breathing, which by now is very slow. Into that "void" comes a deep awareness of the presence of God. We have created our own monastery with it's 3:00 am stillness. Try to go there today.
Bro. Rene