Uncluttered time
November 11, 2007
"By means of a diversion,
we can avoid our own company
24 hours a day."
---- Pascal
An American traveler planned a long safari to
Africa. He was a compulsive man, loaded down
with maps, and time tables, and agendas.
Coolies had been engaged from a local tribe
to carry the cumbersome load of supplies,
luggage and "essential stuff."
On the first morning, they all woke very early and traveled very fast and went very far. On the second morning, they all woke very early and traveled very fast and went very far. On the third morning, they all woke very early and traveled very fast and went very far. And the American seemed pleased. On the fourth morning, the jungle tribesmen refused to move. They simply sat by a tree. The American became incensed. "This is a waste of valuable time. Can someone tell me what is going on here?"
The translator answered, "They are waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies."
What's at stake here-with this sacred necessity of stillness-is not another "to do" list, but an invitation to savor the pleasure of slowness, moments of stillness, even silence, letting them work their magic. In her book Open Spaces, Gretel Ehrich talks about the concept that space can heal. That space--created by silence--represents sanity. For silence can be a fullness, rather than a void. It can allow the mind to run through its paces without any need for justification. It can let us recover--grab hold of--those parts of our self which have been so scattered, so disparate, throughout the week. To sit still is a spiritual endeavor.
To sit still is to practice Sabbath-meaning literally, to quit.
To stop.
To take a break.
To make uncluttered time.
To waste time with God.
On the first morning, they all woke very early and traveled very fast and went very far. On the second morning, they all woke very early and traveled very fast and went very far. On the third morning, they all woke very early and traveled very fast and went very far. And the American seemed pleased. On the fourth morning, the jungle tribesmen refused to move. They simply sat by a tree. The American became incensed. "This is a waste of valuable time. Can someone tell me what is going on here?"
The translator answered, "They are waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies."
What's at stake here-with this sacred necessity of stillness-is not another "to do" list, but an invitation to savor the pleasure of slowness, moments of stillness, even silence, letting them work their magic. In her book Open Spaces, Gretel Ehrich talks about the concept that space can heal. That space--created by silence--represents sanity. For silence can be a fullness, rather than a void. It can allow the mind to run through its paces without any need for justification. It can let us recover--grab hold of--those parts of our self which have been so scattered, so disparate, throughout the week. To sit still is a spiritual endeavor.
To sit still is to practice Sabbath-meaning literally, to quit.
To stop.
To take a break.
To make uncluttered time.
To waste time with God.
Poems / Prayers
Three generations back
my family had only
to light a candle
and the world parted.
Today, Friday afternoon,
I disconnect clocks and phones.
Then night fills my house
with passages,
I begin saving
my life.
----Marcia Falk
Peace,
Terry Hershey
NOTE FROM TERRY:
I hope you are well and enjoying moments of peace and quiet before the full court press of the holiday season. Or then again, I may be dreaming.
I have four pieces of news.
One, our email letter--Sacred Present: Notes from my garden will be coming to you once a month.
Two, most of you have an organizational newsletter or bulletin that needs inspirational musings. The column that I write for Sacred Present is available for use in your organizational newsletter. If you would like to make the column available and need more information, contact Bev at office@terryhershey.com
Three, this weekly one-page email entitled--Sacred Present: Sabbath Moments will also be coming your way. Life, work, ministry, relationships pull us in many directions, and we feel the strain. We need regular reminders to stop. Listen.
And four, my 2008 calendar has a few spaces available. If there is any way I can be of help again to your organization or church, please contact me at tdh@terryhershey.com.
I hope you are well and enjoying moments of peace and quiet before the full court press of the holiday season. Or then again, I may be dreaming.
I have four pieces of news.
One, our email letter--Sacred Present: Notes from my garden will be coming to you once a month.
Two, most of you have an organizational newsletter or bulletin that needs inspirational musings. The column that I write for Sacred Present is available for use in your organizational newsletter. If you would like to make the column available and need more information, contact Bev at office@terryhershey.com
Three, this weekly one-page email entitled--Sacred Present: Sabbath Moments will also be coming your way. Life, work, ministry, relationships pull us in many directions, and we feel the strain. We need regular reminders to stop. Listen.
And four, my 2008 calendar has a few spaces available. If there is any way I can be of help again to your organization or church, please contact me at tdh@terryhershey.com.
