Today’s Life-Line is:

To return back into ourselves, there are three things needed, for which you don’t require a computer, television or radio: the first is a bit of stillness. Nothing can happen without a certain stillness. We also need silence. There is nothing so vocal and articulate as silence; all good language, all great words, are born of it. And the third thing we need is solitude. We need to acknowledge that solitude is an invitation to the soul to come alive. Solitude is utterly luminous if we lose our fears and begin to enter it more deeply.

~ John O’Donohue
from “Earth’s Inner Light,” an interview with John O’Donohue in “Earthlight” # 27

REFLECTION: Three essentials in the spiritual life are solitude, silence, and stillness. I’ve described them as nesting dolls: the first doll container is SOLITUDE. It becomes a container for SILENCE. Solitude naturally invites silence by which we go deeper. Going deeper yet, silence becomes the container for STILLNESS. Stillness puts us in touch with our being, that we are. It awakens or reawakens us to being itself, to the gratuity and enchantment that there is something instead of nothing and that we are an integral part of this something. Stillness opens our heart to the One in whom we live and move and have our being. As the Psalmist has it, the Holy One beckons: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)

To mix metaphors, the three S’ essential to an authentic and enlivening spirituality are like multiple vitamins. Even if in small doses, taking them daily is ideal. But at least weekly is recommended.

Peace be with you, Goodpeople. ~ Dan

ARTWORK: “Dream on a River,” by Margie Sheppard. For more about Margie and her art click HERE.

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