Chapter 3: Stillness
CHOOSING PRESENCE PP. 26-29
To define stillness and its significance in connecting with God's Spirit.
Summary
This section introduces stillness as the key to experiencing God’s presence—a powerful, living energy within you. It’s not just about being quiet; it’s about becoming fully aware and intentional. Stillness isn’t just the absence of noise—it’s a shift out of autopilot thinking and into a deeper connection with your inner life and the present moment.
Every time we bring stillness into this moment, it is a fresh start, a new beginning. We begin to experience an inner response of love and peace at some level, which intensifies over time. We connect with our vibrant inner life, which is unaffected by the pressures and influences of the outer world. There we connect with the only reality there is, in the present moment, and therefore the only access point to our true self.
— Choosing Presence, p. 27
A Moment for Reflection
Pause for a moment and reflect on the following three questions:
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Consider whether you give yourself space to step out of constant thought and busyness. When was the last time you experienced true stillness?
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Reflect on the barriers that keep you from practicing stillness. Are they external (work, social demands) or internal (fear of silence, discomfort with slowing down)?
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Imagine what it would feel like to create even small moments of stillness each day. How could this deepen your sense of peace and presence?
Remember to Download the Free Practicing Presence App!
Start your day with a morning meditation and get hourly reminders to return to presence with three conscious breaths. This free app is an essential tool for deepening your practice and staying connected with God’s presence.
Deepening the Practice: Journal Prompt
Stillness is more than just silence—it is a state of awareness where the mind quiets, and presence deepens. Choosing Presence teaches that in stillness, we connect with the only reality there is: the present moment. Yet, in daily life, distractions, responsibilities, and habitual thinking often pull us away from this space of inner peace. By intentionally practicing stillness, we open ourselves to a deeper experience of God’s presence and our true self.
Think about your relationship with stillness. Do you embrace it, or do you find yourself avoiding it? When was the last time you truly felt present and undistracted? Reflect on any discomfort or resistance you feel toward being still. If you were to invite more stillness into your life—whether for a few minutes each day or in simple, mindful pauses—how might it shift your experience of peace, clarity, or connection with God?