Glenstal Abbey - Part II

I am again settled into Glenstal Abbey for a time and enjoying it immensely. I stayed a night or two intermittently over the spring semester and this time while I am here, I am working on some writing projects. The last time I wrote about Glenstal I talked in part about the opportunity while being here in this beautiful, spiritual setting, to stop four times a day to be still. This stopping is so nourishing to your spirit. I am not Catholic, but I find sitting in the quiet of the church four times a day, listening to Gregorian chant is both peaceful and meditative. I have also discovered how easy it is, even in this setting, to get completely wrapped up into what one is doing and foregoing the opportunities, all for the sake of getting it all done. Yes, we have deadlines to meet in our everyday lives. Yes, there work to complete, places to go, things to do, people to see. But honestly, why isn't it just as important to stop, look, listen, to be intentionally present and quiet for even short periods of time during the day. Even momentary breaks from our frenetic lives can only help us to be more productive, more creative, and more at peace.

Think about this, how can you build in these kinds of breaks into your day? Remember,it will have to be intentional. You may have to put the breaks into your calendar. Start with a mid-morning and a mid-afternoon break. I don't mean a coffee break; I mean take a moment to pause all activity, interactions and thinking. Just close the door, put on some quiet music, close your eyes, and be still. Or go for a walk in nature and stop to take in the fresh air and the beauty around you. Years ago my dad, who was an optometrist, used to close his door, sit in his exam chair and watch slides of beautiful scenes that he would project on the wall in place of an eye chart. He took out time in his day to escape to a peaceful place, to have a respite so that when he went back to his patients he was more focused and present to their needs.

Think about this. This can only be good for our health. If we stop running and stay still for 15 minutes at a time, it has to be good for our blood pressure and it has to help reduce stress levels. Stopping twice a day is an opportunity to re-center and regroup. I highly suggest it. It might be even more enriching for your life if you add a spiritual or inspirational component, like listening to chant, reading a poem, a prayer or affirmation.

At the very least, don't forget to stop and breathe. That will also stop you in your tracks and bring you back into the moment. Then start extending those moments into quiet breaks. Give yourself permission. Give yourself this gift of heart and health.

Here is a little instruction to get you started into intentional breathing.

Listen to Your Breath

Breathe in deeply.
Exhale.
Listen to your breath.
It sounds like a gentle wind.
It sounds like life.

Your breath is a gift.
Cherish it.
Cleanse it.
Make full capacity of it.

Close your eyes.
Fill your lungs.
Exhale slowly.
Let the breath take you where you live.
Let it take you where you love.
Allow it to help you discover who you are.

Breathe.
Breathe easily.
Breathe.
Breathe effortlessly.
Breathe.
Breathe joyously.

Voice of My Soul: Wisdom from the Stillness, pg. 26.