Lisa Becerra, RA, CA introduces a 10 minute practice to allow you to become comfortable in silence with God. Please note, in the video below the total practice is just over 10 minutes, and only includes 4 minutes of silence, if you're already used to these practices, you and extend that quiet time by pressing pause on the video and coming back to it when you're ready to bring your practice to a close. If you want to do the practice without the guide of the video, the instructions are below!
As you prepare to enter into this practice, be sure that you are in a safe place - either inside or outside, and that you've taken care of possible distractions. Whether that's telling people around you that you'll be busy for the next 10 minutes, and to keep the kids and pets away. Whether it's silencing your electronic devices or turning off your notifications. Please note, that for some people the total absence of sound actually brings up a fear response, so if this is you, please allow yourself to either practice this outside where there is an abundance of environmental sounds for you to feel safe around, or allow yourself to have a calming instrumental music, or other white noise sounds playing in the background.
It's important that as you enter into this time you release any and all expectations you have for this time. Let go of hopes or goals for what to accomplish during the time you spend within this practice. You may feel God's presence with you during this time, or you may not. God may come and go throughout the practice, and that's okay. If you feel God is with you, you may hear directly from Him, or you may not. This time is well spent, and can be considered a gift to you, and a gift to God.
Before you begin, you may want to enhance this time with the inhalation of your favorite essential oil, one that brings you peace and calmness. Some good ones to try if you're not familiar with using essential oils are lavender, ylang ylang, holy basil, wild orange, siberian fir, cedar wood, frankincense vanilla, osmanthus. To inhale the aroma, you can place a few drops in personal aroma jewlery before you begin, use a personal inhaler, or simply drop a drop or two on a cotton ball and hold the cotton ball in your hands. Regardless of your preference, you can take 3-5 deep cleansing breaths breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth allowing the scent of the essential oil to resonate with you, and to bring you into a place of increased peace and relaxation.
As you being the practice, you'll want to find a comfortable position where you can lay your hands your hands open palms facing up on your lap.
If you're comfortable, you'll be asked to close your eyes - if that feels unsafe, simply soften your gaze in front of you to unfocus your gaze and allow your eyes to rest during this time. Allow your breath to slow down. Focus in breathing in slowly through your nose and out slowly through your mouth.
Then, allow your breath to return to normal, and begin to focus on your breath. Take a few breaths to simply breathe in God.
Take a few breaths to simply breathe out your troubles.
Take a few breaths in to simply breath in Jesus.
Then take a few breaths to exhale and give away your agenda.
Take a few breaths to breathe in the Holy Spirit.
Then take a few breaths to breathe out compassion.
Call to mind an image of God that you're comfortable with, and allow it to come into your space and sit with you. And just allow Him to be present with you. Begin your time together with him.
When you are ready to close out your time together, express gratitude towards God for His presence, even if you didn't feel Him or hear Him during this time, He was with you, and the ministry of presence is so important.
Slowly bring your attention back to your surroundings, feel the chair underneath you, and allow your eyes to open. If you're using essential oils, take 3-5 cleansing breaths inhaling in the beautiful aroma, and allow it to give you energy, inspiration, and desire to bring what you've gained from this practice into the rest of your day.
We hope you enjoy this practice, please let us know the essential oils you choose to use alongside it, and what the aroma of the oil brings into the practice for you.
