Hi friends.
Mark Gladman,
Monk & Docs.
Hope you're enjoying the Guide Is series and today.
.
.
We're going to hone in on this idea that God is here.
For the last few days,
We've been talking about some pretty big things,
That God's not a thing,
God's mystery,
God's more.
God is the Great I Am.
God is present in all things,
Closer than we think.
And maybe at this point you're thinking,
That's lovely Mark,
But what am I actually supposed to do with any of this?
So today we're going to stop.
No new theology or no new ideas,
Just one sentence.
God is here.
And I don't mean that theoretically,
Or as an idea,
I mean here.
And the question that we're going to hold today is just,
Can you notice?
Because I think this is where all of the things have been leading towards.
We imagine spirituality as an attempt to get somewhere,
To get closer to God or more enlightened or to pray better or to become holier.
To finally have that experience where everything makes sense,
You know,
That one that we keep hoping for.
But what if the first movement of this spiritual life is just about arriving.
Arriving here.
In this body.
In this moment,
In this breath.
And allowing ourselves to believe that even if only as an experiment.
God is all ready.
So wherever you are right now.
Pause for a moment.
Notice where you are.
Notice what you can see.
Maybe there's a wall in front of you or a window or a tree or a cup or a person.
Or light falling across the floor.
Or an air freshener hanging from the rear view mirror,
Just notice.
Now listen.
What can you hear?
Car?
Birds?
Hum of the fridge.
Someone talking?
Your own breathing,
Your own heart beating.
Maybe underneath all of it,
There's silence.
None of it may be especially holy.
But just allow those audible sounds.
To be noticed and be here.
Now notice your body.
Your feet.
Your hands.
Your shoulders.
You're breathing.
And again,
Just notice that you are here.
That you exist,
You are alive.
And you are breathing.
And now.
.
.
Say to yourself.
.
.
God is here.
And this hasn't come because you've felt something or seen something or heard something or have reached some pinnacle of spirituality.
God is here.
Just.
Because you are here.
And as Paul said,
In God we live and move and have our being.
God is here.
Now here's my proposition.
I think this is what prayer is.
Sometimes needs to be.
Not talking or asking or explaining.
Just noticing.
God is here.
When you're washing the dishes,
Sitting in traffic,
Talking with someone you love,
Talking with someone who's difficult,
Sitting in church or in an airport.
God is here.
When you're walking the dog,
Drinking coffee,
Anxious,
Distracted,
Bored.
Happy.
Wondering whether any of this is actually true.
God.
Is here.
And so I guess the practice that I'd like to offer you today isn't to try and feel God's presence,
Because that that can become exhausting.
But rather just.
.
.
Practice the sentence.
And it's not supposed to be some sort of mantra that makes you secure and certain in that statement.
I mean,
It could even be a question that you're willing to sit in.
What if God.
.
.
Is here.
What then?
What if this moment isn't empty?
What if I don't need to go anywhere?
What if the ordinary isn't the opposite of sacred.
What if the God I've been trying to reach.
.
.
Is already closer than my next breath.
So don't have a spiritual experience today.
Don't go looking for a burning bush or parting clouds or voices from heaven.
Just live your ordinary life and every now and then stop,
Take a breath,
Look around,
Listen,
And just say,
God is here.
And then carry on.
Make the coffee,
Drive the car,
Talk to the person,
Walk outside,
Live your life,
But Maybe that reality?
Prompts you to live it just a little bit differently,
A little bit more awake.
A bit less convinced that God's somewhere else.
A little more willing to notice.
And that's prayer.
Not finding God or reaching God or convincing God,
But here I am.
And maybe in that moment.
Discovering at the same time.
That God is here also.
May grace,
Peace and love be with you and go with you,
My friends,
Today and always.
Much Love!
Bye for now.
