Resting in Stillness

Today was restful. I was not inclined to schedule much into my day. I had no real need, when I finally awakened from my jet lagged sleep at Noon, to do much exploring. I had intended to see the Book of Kells at Trinity College, but then decided rather to find the Chester Beatty Library that houses a collection of ancient art and manuscripts donated by Sir Alfred Chester Beatty, an American-born British mining tycoon.

I spent an hour repacking my suitcases and then set out to find a quiet place for lunch. After enjoying my main meal of the day at a little French restaurant, I pulled out my map and started towards my destination. It looked like quite a direct route on the map. But as I wrote to my son Max, whether is was the unstructured layout of the Dublin streets, many unmarked, or my somewhat diminished sense of direction, or a combination of both, I never found the library. Ultimately I ended back at the front steps of my hotel, having had a very lovely walk past Georgian style buildings, shops, colleges and day schools that lined the perimeter of the very large and beautiful St. Stephens Park. I realized as I turned the corner and spotted the hotel, that I was totally satisfied just walking. That I never found the library was of no concern. I thought to myself that I will be in Ireland for a year and that I have plenty of time to tour the high points of Dublin in the non-tourist season, without crowds and maybe with visiting family and friends. For now I was content to follow the rhythms of my body and my heart and allow myself time to quietly transition to my new life.

I continued my restful state with a light dinner and cup of tea in the hotel's lovely lounge, where they serve high tea every afternoon in a room filled with antiques and comfortable seating areas composed of wing chairs and couches. I sat and read as I ate and loved that no one rushes you to finish. The pace was easy and very relaxing and it allowed me to enjoy my own sense of deep stillness. I am going to practice this while I have the chance this year, stopping to break for tea, talking long walks, reading and just being. This is something I can find in deepest meditation. The goal is to bring it to my outward existence.

I leave for Limerick tomorrow afternoon and will arrive by train at about 6:00 p.m. I have booked one night in a hotel and then onto my temporary quarters on Thursday. I am already visualizing walks along the banks of the Shannon. I don't imagine I will find a wing chair to curl up, but I will find places to continue the beginning of a quiet and contemplative existence, not an isolated one, but still a whole new pace. I have been feeling the need to go on retreat for a long time. Studying and singing chant lends itself quite well to this desire for stepping deeper into the Stillness. We shall see what emerges.