Some people struggle with the deep, inward feeling that taking time alone with God, if it's something that he or she enjoys doing, is somehow an act of selfishness. As soon as this person tries to take time for solitude or any other enjoyment of God, the thoughts begin to rise up: "I should be doing this or that," "There's so much to get done," and "I must serve others."
I just want to express how important it is for people to find the joy of God's Presence. Far from being selfish, it is what we are made for. A person who is filled up with God has an overflow for others-- not because this person is trying hard to "serve well," rather it just flows out of him or her.
Thomas Keating says it well:
The great gift that contemplative persons offer is the experience of the divine presence. Who is going to bring this realization into society if not those who are experiencing it?
Those who learn to enjoy God's Presence are not only finding great fulfillment for himself or herself but are also sharing that reality with others-- just by being who they are!
When we give ourselves to the enjoyment of God's love, we are most equipped to give the same to others!
Thanks for pointing this out! Keating was the author who originally got me interested in practicing contemplative prayer - he has a lot to say, and he does it in a very effective way.
Posted by: Steve Bogner | April 02, 2004 at 04:22 AM