If my computer didn’t tell me the date, I’d have no idea what number I’m on. On Iona, where it is light when I go to bed and when I get up, I measure time by the 9 AM and 9 PM services at The Abbey, and by my meals.
This must be at least my tenth stay on Iona. If seems that with each visit I have less desire to accomplish anything. More and more I am satisfied just to sit wherever I am and be content, or walk wherever and be content.
As I write this, however, I am aware that I am still challenged to do this in a contemplative way. My mind flits from one plan to plan—sit here, go there, do this, read that. Maybe my challenge for the week is to resist the changes that pop into my mind and stick with whatever I’ve chosen to do, be it sitting or walking. In other words, stay put. It is not easy to change a life long pattern but I’m going to give it a try. I’m not at all certain how successful I’ll be. I may not be able to do it. Only I will know, but just writing this is helping me slow down.
As a start, I’ll sit here longer than I normally would, which is really hard. I want to get up and get moving.
This must be at least my tenth stay on Iona. If seems that with each visit I have less desire to accomplish anything. More and more I am satisfied just to sit wherever I am and be content, or walk wherever and be content.
As I write this, however, I am aware that I am still challenged to do this in a contemplative way. My mind flits from one plan to plan—sit here, go there, do this, read that. Maybe my challenge for the week is to resist the changes that pop into my mind and stick with whatever I’ve chosen to do, be it sitting or walking. In other words, stay put. It is not easy to change a life long pattern but I’m going to give it a try. I’m not at all certain how successful I’ll be. I may not be able to do it. Only I will know, but just writing this is helping me slow down.
As a start, I’ll sit here longer than I normally would, which is really hard. I want to get up and get moving.