Checklist for Abiding in Stillness
On the
following lists, check the characteristics that represent your meditative state
and your lifestyle, since meditating or abiding is to be a way of living. This
will assist you in cultivating the art of stillness before Almighty God.
Physical
Calm
- My heart beats calmly and evenly.
- q My breathing feels calm, easy, even, and complete.
q My
muscles don’t feel tight or clenched.
q I
don’t feel restless or fidgety.
q I
don’t feel tense or self-conscious when I say or do something.
q I
don’t feel uncomfortable, hot, and perspiring.
q I
don’t feel the need to go to the bathroom when I don’t have to.
q I
feel coordinated.
q My
mouth isn’t dry.
q I
feel awake and refreshed.
q I
don’t have a headache.
q I
don’t have a backache.
q I
don’t feel unfit or heavy.
q My
shoulders, neck, or back is not tense.
q The
condition of my skin is healthy.
q My
eyes are not watery or teary.
q My
stomach feels calm.
q My
appetite is OK.
Focused
Attention
q My
thoughts are not scattered.
q I
have little trouble remembering what I am doing.
q I
feel very conscious of things.
q When
disturbed, I find it easy to get back on track.
q My
mind feels clear.
q I
feel centered.
q I
am not indecisive.
q My
goals and priorities are clear.
q I
keep things simple, doing one thing at a time.
q I
concentrate on what I am doing.
q I
seem to be quite perceptive.
q My
mind is not confused.
q Even
if things get hectic, I feel I can work in a calm and orderly manner.
q I
feel quite alert.
q I
feel absorbed.
q Things
seem lucid and clear.
q I
don’t feel divided between different courses of action.
q I
seem quite aware of things.
q I
finish one job before starting something else.
q I
live in the present, fully experiencing every moment.
q My
mind is like a mirror, clearly reflecting the physical and spiritual worlds
without distortion.
q My
wants and desires do not drive me.
q I
am not hard on myself even though I have some imperfections.
q I
don’t feel as though I have to urgently push or rush myself.
q I
can accept things that cannot be done or understood.
q It
feels OK to say “live and let live” about some of my problems.
q I
can put things that really matter in perspective.
q I
don’t get worked up over things that can’t be changed.
q I
feel I can let go and be myself.
q I
feel flexible.
q Some
of my wishes seem less important when seen side by side with things that really
matter.
q When
I have worked enough, I can easily let go and relax.
q I
feel patient.
q It
feels OK not to worry needlessly about yesterday’s or tomorrow’s problems.
q It
feels OK to let some things be.
q I
feel as though I could accept my problems philosophically.
q I
don’t feel as though everything has to be done at once.
q I
feel things aren’t so bad even when they don’t go the way I want.
q I
don’t get caught up demanding things I cannot have or that don’t really matter.
q I
don’t feel particularly self-conscious or as though I have to be overly
concerned with doing the right thing or making a good impression.
q I
don’t feel as though I have to have everyone’s acceptance and approval.
q I
feel part of a larger purpose or scheme of things.
Receptivity
q I
am aware of God flowing through me.
q I
live in an active dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
q I
acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s presence.
q I
do not tackle projects with a dependence upon my own abilities.
q I
offer one word or sentence prayers when in need.
q I
am instantly aware when pride or self-dependence encroaches upon me.
q I
picture myself as one filled with Another.
q I
recognize that my strength comes from God.
q I
recognize that my wisdom comes from God.
q I
recognize that God is my Source.
q I
am aware that I can do nothing on my own.
q I
am aware that my righteousness is that which is imputed through Christ.
q I
see myself as clothed with Christ’s righteousness.
q When
I succeed, I am immediately aware that it is Christ’s victory.
q When
I fail, I am aware that I have not drawn on the One who lives within.
q I
do things without undue strain or effort.
