Be Still and Know That I AM….
(The Mantra)
“Be still and know that I am God.”
~ Psalm 46:10.
Be still and know…
What does that mean exactly?
When we meditate, we come into stillness. The practice begins when we make time to sit.
When we speak of “sitting” we are actually referring to the practice of meditation. So, to say that we “sit” once a day is synonymous with saying that we practice meditation once a day.
But also remember, as we’ve mentioned before, that for some, just breathwork is their preferred practice. And that can be done in many ways and places. But having a sitting practice takes it a step further and deeper.
It took me years to work up to a regular sitting practice which I did on and off. Literally. Luckily I had a wonderful soul friend who encouraged to make the final commitment I need to make. But more on that later.
We begin by making the time to simply sit in stillness – and in time the very act of sitting in meditation draws us to sit. Eventually, we notice that sitting regularly leads us even further into stillness. It pulls us in. It becomes a yearning. And something that we actually miss. I do. But, I didn’t always because I wasn’t that dedicated to sitting regularly, no matter what.
If you can breathe in and out, you can meditate.
But for now, just sit still. And then breathe – in and out of your nose. Slowly. Fully…
After a few moments, just say to yourself inwardly – “I AM.”
This is the simple mantra you will be using in your meditation. It is YOUR mantra. It will become as natural to you as your in-breath and out-breath with regular practice.
Eventually, you might want to pick something else that may resonate more. Over the years I’ve tried different “mantras,” in Centering Prayer, in yoga and other practices, but this is the one I always come back to. It’s easy. It connects to a Power greater than myself that I envision and embody as Divine.
Again, do what feels right for you, but for now I suggest you try this one. It doesn’t have to have a religious connotation if that is not your thing, but I do believe it establishes a sense of connection with all beings – human and all creatures as well. This inter-connection is sorely missing in our world today.
When you inwardly say to yourself – “I AM” – you are simply acknowledging and recognizing your true nature and essence.
Who am I?
This is the Perennial Question we have all asked ourselves at one point or another, and it is re-visited often in meditation practice…
There is a beautiful Hindu Mantra that summarizes all these connections:
“So Ham.” I AM That.
~ Hindu Mantra
And this verse, very familiar to Jews and Christians, also reminds us that there is a power greater than ourselves:
“I AM Who I AM.”
~ Exodus 3:14
Just breathe in. And breathe out. And gently say to yourself inwardly, “I AM.” Connect with a Power greater than yourself. Know that you and the Divine – or this Power – or energy of the Universe – however you envision this - are always one.
You are…
And so am I…
“I AM.”
It is that easy…
Be Still and Know that I AM God.
Be Still and Know that I AM.
Be Still and Know.
Be Still.
BE!
NEXT
(The Mantra)
“Be still and know that I am God.”
~ Psalm 46:10.
Be still and know…
What does that mean exactly?
When we meditate, we come into stillness. The practice begins when we make time to sit.
When we speak of “sitting” we are actually referring to the practice of meditation. So, to say that we “sit” once a day is synonymous with saying that we practice meditation once a day.
But also remember, as we’ve mentioned before, that for some, just breathwork is their preferred practice. And that can be done in many ways and places. But having a sitting practice takes it a step further and deeper.
It took me years to work up to a regular sitting practice which I did on and off. Literally. Luckily I had a wonderful soul friend who encouraged to make the final commitment I need to make. But more on that later.
We begin by making the time to simply sit in stillness – and in time the very act of sitting in meditation draws us to sit. Eventually, we notice that sitting regularly leads us even further into stillness. It pulls us in. It becomes a yearning. And something that we actually miss. I do. But, I didn’t always because I wasn’t that dedicated to sitting regularly, no matter what.
If you can breathe in and out, you can meditate.
But for now, just sit still. And then breathe – in and out of your nose. Slowly. Fully…
After a few moments, just say to yourself inwardly – “I AM.”
This is the simple mantra you will be using in your meditation. It is YOUR mantra. It will become as natural to you as your in-breath and out-breath with regular practice.
Eventually, you might want to pick something else that may resonate more. Over the years I’ve tried different “mantras,” in Centering Prayer, in yoga and other practices, but this is the one I always come back to. It’s easy. It connects to a Power greater than myself that I envision and embody as Divine.
Again, do what feels right for you, but for now I suggest you try this one. It doesn’t have to have a religious connotation if that is not your thing, but I do believe it establishes a sense of connection with all beings – human and all creatures as well. This inter-connection is sorely missing in our world today.
When you inwardly say to yourself – “I AM” – you are simply acknowledging and recognizing your true nature and essence.
Who am I?
This is the Perennial Question we have all asked ourselves at one point or another, and it is re-visited often in meditation practice…
- I am one with the Divine.
- I am one with a power greater than myself.
- I am one with the Universe – and with all beings. Simply that.
There is a beautiful Hindu Mantra that summarizes all these connections:
“So Ham.” I AM That.
~ Hindu Mantra
And this verse, very familiar to Jews and Christians, also reminds us that there is a power greater than ourselves:
“I AM Who I AM.”
~ Exodus 3:14
Just breathe in. And breathe out. And gently say to yourself inwardly, “I AM.” Connect with a Power greater than yourself. Know that you and the Divine – or this Power – or energy of the Universe – however you envision this - are always one.
You are…
And so am I…
“I AM.”
It is that easy…
Be Still and Know that I AM God.
Be Still and Know that I AM.
Be Still and Know.
Be Still.
BE!
NEXT