Hello friends and welcome back.
This is Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk in docks,
And this is another installment of the calm beneath the storm.
Over the past few days we've been exploring the image of the ocean,
The waves moving at the surface and the deeper stillness beneath them.
And today we explore something that we can feel is perhaps a little surprising.
And that's the discovery that peace often begins when we stop trying so hard to find it.
And so let's begin just by bringing ourselves fully into this moment.
Allowing our body to settle,
Our mind to calm,
Our heart rate to slow.
Bringing our full self into alignment,
Breathing in and out and settling fully into this space and time.
As we begin,
Imagine with me for a moment that you see someone falling unexpectedly into deep water.
Now when that happens to someone the natural reaction is to panic.
The arms thrash,
The body struggles to stay above the surface.
But experienced swimmers know something that's really important in moments like this.
And that is that the more you fight the water the more exhausted you become.
And what actually helps is surprisingly simple.
Relaxing.
Allowing the body to float and letting the water hold you.
Now in our spiritual lives we often do the same thing.
When life feels uncertain or overwhelming we tighten,
We try harder,
We think more,
We attempt to control everything around us and the effort itself can leave us dog tired.
Tired.
In John's gospel however,
In chapter 15,
Jesus offers a very different invitation.
He says abide in me.
Abide.
Remain.
Stay.
Stay.
Rest.
And notice those words.
We don't do those things through effort.
We do those things through trust.
So in our meditation today we practice allowing the body to relax.
Allowing ourselves to be held in the presence of God.
Bring your attention slowly to your body.
Notice the forehead.
And if there's any tension there just allow it to soften.
Let the muscles around the eyes relax.
Let the jaw unclench a little.
Continue down and bring your attention to your shoulders.
This is often where we carry effort.
Allow them to relax and drop just a little.
Let the arms rest heavily.
As you continue to scan further down notice the chest and the breath.
You don't need to control the breathing.
Just allow it to move naturally in and out.
Bring your attention to your stomach and the lower body.
Allow the muscles to soften.
Let the legs and feet rest.
Notice the feeling of being supported.
The chair holding you if you're sitting in a chair.
Or the floor beneath you.
You don't need to hold yourself up.
You're already being supported.
Now imagine yourself in calm water.
Instead of struggling or thrashing just allow the water to hold you.
Floating.
Supported.
At ease.
And allow this image to become a prayer today.
That you don't need to strive to reach God.
You are already in the presence of God.
Held.
Supported.
Carried.
God isn't just with you in the ocean.
God is the ocean itself.
And with each breath out just release a little more effort.
Breathing in and out and letting go.
If thoughts appear that's natural.
Just allow them to pass like small ripples on the surface.
Just remain here floating in the deeper water of God's presence.
And as we rest here for a few moments just allow the body to soften.
And allow the heart to trust.
And now gently begin to bring yourself back into the room.
Be more aware of what's around you.
Notice your body.
The breath.
The space you're in.
Take one slightly deeper breath as you open your eyes.
And as you move through the rest of your day today you might remember this small invitation.
That you don't always need to struggle against the water.
Sometimes our peace begins when we simply allow ourselves to be held.
To rest.
And to abide.
And may all grace,
Peace and love be with you as you abide in God and God in you.
Today and every day.
Amen.
And until tomorrow,
Peace be with you.
