Chapter 3: Stillness
CHOOSING PRESENCE PP. 29-33
Explore barriers to achieving stillness and how to overcome them.
Summary
The common struggles people face when trying to practice stillness. Fear of feeling unworthy, discomfort with being alone with God, and the pressure to always stay busy can make it hard to slow down. There are also a lot of misunderstandings about what stillness and meditation really are, which can create resistance. But these obstacles aren’t barriers—they’re just habits of the mind. Once you recognize them, you can begin to move past them and access the deep peace and presence of God that’s already within you.
Stillness connects us to the love, energy, and power of God’s Spirit within us. We feel at our very best when we are still. So what stops us from practicing it all the time? The fact is, some people fear being alone with God or don’t believe it’s possible.
— Choosing Presence, p. 29
A Moment for Reflection
Pause for a moment and reflect on the following three questions:
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Reflect on whether stillness feels peaceful or if it brings up resistance, restlessness, or discomfort. What might these reactions be telling you?
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Consider whether the way you value productivity influences your willingness to embrace stillness. Do you ever feel guilty or unworthy when you’re not “doing” something?
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Imagine shifting your mindset around stillness. How might embracing it more fully change your stress levels, spiritual life, or sense of peace?
Deepening the Practice: Journal Prompt
Stillness offers a direct connection to God’s presence, yet many people struggle to embrace it. Fear of being alone with God, discomfort with silence, or the pressure to always be productive can create resistance. Choosing Presence reminds us that these obstacles are not permanent barriers but learned patterns of the mind. By recognizing what holds us back, we can begin to shift our relationship with stillness and open ourselves to the peace that is always available.
Take a moment to reflect on your relationship with stillness. When you try to be still, do you feel at ease, or do you notice resistance? What thoughts or emotions arise? Consider any fears, beliefs, or external pressures that might be influencing your ability to slow down. If you were to see stillness as a gift rather than an obligation, how might it change your experience of peace and connection with God?