Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart. ~ Mother Teresa
Dan Rather once asked Mother Teresa what she said during her prayers. She answered, "I listen." So Rather turned the question and asked, "Well then, what does God say?" To that Mother Teresa smiled with confidence and answered, "He listens."
With our busy lifestyles it is very difficult to find time to just sit and listen, or so that is what we tell ourselves. How can we afford to not take a few minutes out of our day to listen to the most important message we will ever hear? Today, I can't afford to not listen. There was a time in my life when I lived in full self destruct mode - doing what I wanted, when I wanted and how I wanted...regardless of who I hurt...I listened to no one - especially that still small voice inside of me. I was angry at the world hell bent and determined to storm my way through life! It was fun for just a little while and then I was miserable. So very miserable in fact that I raged so loud for so long that one day the still small voice became a loud booming voice! And yes, it freaked me out! As the wave of the storm receded I heeded the advice of my elders and began to take a look at things I was "running" from -the first and most important "thing" was my spiritual life!
What I have learned is that when we ignore the still small voice it becomes louder! When avoided long enough "it" becomes shouts of frustration. This was a major turning point in my life. I began five years ago to practice listening to the still small voice by using different forms of meditation. My journey has lead me to study other religions and the way that others commune with the God of their understanding. What I have found are similarities. Prayer and meditation are an integral part of all spiritual disciplines. The "way" may look different but the goal is the same - to improve our conscious contact with the God of our understanding.
Websters defines meditation as the act of contemplation or reflection for the purpose of reaching a heightened level of spiritual awareness. Monks do it, Ministers do it, Spiritual Leaders from all walks of life do it, lots of people do it - even big macho guys - do it and of course, I DO IT. On a daily basis - I practice the art of listening to God listen and answers come. It's simple, not physically strenuous and very enlightening! It only takes 10 minutes 3 times per week - that's 30 minutes out of 10,800 minutes! I don't know about you but that isn't an extraordinary amount of of time. You don't have to do anything but sit in a chair and be quiet! It's called seated meditation and it's the simplest form of meditation.
Most people think about a seated meditation posture being cross-legged on the ground. But the most simple seated meditation posture is actually sitting upright in a chair.
Here’s how:
1. Sit in a comfortable chair with your feet on the ground.
2. Feel the two sitting bones beneath you (your butt bones).
3. Feel your connection to the chair through the two sitting bones as you lengthen through your spine. Place your hands on each side of your body and lift up, so you create space between the hips and lower ribs.
4. Lengthen through your spine and imagine space between each of your vertebrae to create length in the spine.
5. Gently drop your chin down and in, so your neck is in alignment with your spine, and lengthen through your neck to the top of your head. It sort of feels like there's a string attached to the crown of your head up to the ceiling or sky.
6. Make sure your low back is not overly arched, if it is, gently tuck your tailbone and gently draw in on your abdomen.
7. Place your hands on your legs either palm up or palm down. Or you may fold them in your lap.
8. Take a moment and make sure you feel comfortable. Make any adjustments you need to make to get comfortable. Stay relaxed, even as you keep your body nice and upright.
10. Gently close your eyes and prepare for meditation.
11. Begin to breath naturally and normally in and out of your nostrils. As your mind wanders out of the present moment, gently bring your focus back to your breath. Breathing gently and deeply in and out. Follow your breath for several minutes.
12. Ask one simple question, "How do I listen to the still small voice?" or "What is you will for me today?", you can even petition God for guidance, "God, how can I better serve you today?". Begin to observe the images, messages or sensations that are coming into your conscious awareness. Answers will come!
You may not see a burning bush. You might not hear a voice other than your own head ceasing to roar. You probably won't even gain any clarity the first time or second time or third time. But with regular practice you will learn to discern God's will for you. The more you practice the better you will become at listening. If it worked for me - it will CERTAINLY work for you!
