Lent, A Time For Silent Contemplation
T Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time for silence. That does not mean that we give up all activities and stop short of accomplishing all that we have necessarily to do during the day. We do all that we do with an attitude of silence. A silent attitude is to have a good look at our inner conflicts, many of which arise from relationships. Silent contemplation is to give up the compulsive need to always be doing something. Being busy becomes harmful when we do not know when and how to stop. Talking can be a compulsive activity, too. When we are cautious about what we say and its effect on others, we listen before we speak. We talk in constructive ways and not become increasingly critical of others. With an attitude of silence, contemplation becomes paramount. We keep aside time for regular prayer and look deeply at ourselves and centre ourselves in such a way that communication with God becomes easy and life takes on added meaning. Lent is a time of praying, fastingand almsgiving. Fasting is not only about abstaining from food but from negative habits that destroy our peace of mind. We allow good thoughts to flow through us. We are moved by compassion so that when we give, we do not take away the dignity of those who receive. That is why the Bible enjoins us that when we give, we should not let our left hand know what the right hand is giving. The Bible says, "God whosees what we do in secret will reward us." lives, to move closer to God. That allows us to 'piano' our loud inner voices, to make room and space for the soft, inner voice. Lentalso reminds us that we are all stewards of our time. Time is not to be frittered away in concerns that are petty and of no good consequence to anyone. As good stewards, we move in the direction of calm andequanimity. We will continue to experience the stress and strain of daily living. But, like observers, we will discipline ourselves to focus on what brings us life and sideline what takes us away from living. With silence, we learn to see our negative behaviours for what they are. We renounce and are sorry for the times when we got bogged down with trifles. True penance is not about using a horsewhip on ourselves. It is instead an exercise that allograce to flow through us. We gennudge aside negative behavioursadopt patterns of living that brinus and others. The flow of grace greens oursand allows us to transplantspiritseedlings in our inner selves, verlike the rice that is transplanted ifields. There are seasons for trantion. The rain and sunshine are bneeded for plants to sprout and grEvery year we need to transplantfields of our inner beings with neseedlings of love, hope and joythathree pillars of Lent recommendfasting and almsgiving. These brto the end of the season-a prepŠ°for the glorious feast of Easter.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Janina Gomes views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Janina Gomes and Speaking Tree,Times of India
Lent, A Time For Silent Contemplation
T Ash Wednesday. Lent is a time for silence. That does not mean that we give up all activities and stop short of accomplishing all that we have necessarily to do during the day. We do all that we do with an attitude of silence. A silent attitude is to have a good look at our inner conflicts, many of which arise from relationships. Silent contemplation is to give up the compulsive need to always be doing something. Being busy becomes harmful when we do not know when and how to stop. Talking can be a compulsive activity, too. When we are cautious about what we say and its effect on others, we listen before we speak. We talk in constructive ways and not become increasingly critical of others. With an attitude of silence, contemplation becomes paramount. We keep aside time for regular prayer and look deeply at ourselves and centre ourselves in such a way that communication with God becomes easy and life takes on added meaning. Lent is a time of praying, fastingand almsgiving. Fasting is not only about abstaining from food but from negative habits that destroy our peace of mind. We allow good thoughts to flow through us. We are moved by compassion so that when we give, we do not take away the dignity of those who receive. That is why the Bible enjoins us that when we give, we should not let our left hand know what the right hand is giving. The Bible says, "God whosees what we do in secret will reward us." lives, to move closer to God. That allows us to 'piano' our loud inner voices, to make room and space for the soft, inner voice. Lentalso reminds us that we are all stewards of our time. Time is not to be frittered away in concerns that are petty and of no good consequence to anyone. As good stewards, we move in the direction of calm andequanimity. We will continue to experience the stress and strain of daily living. But, like observers, we will discipline ourselves to focus on what brings us life and sideline what takes us away from living. With silence, we learn to see our negative behaviours for what they are. We renounce and are sorry for the times when we got bogged down with trifles. True penance is not about using a horsewhip on ourselves. It is instead an exercise that allograce to flow through us. We gennudge aside negative behavioursadopt patterns of living that brinus and others. The flow of grace greens oursand allows us to transplantspiritseedlings in our inner selves, verlike the rice that is transplanted ifields. There are seasons for trantion. The rain and sunshine are bneeded for plants to sprout and grEvery year we need to transplantfields of our inner beings with neseedlings of love, hope and joythathree pillars of Lent recommendfasting and almsgiving. These brto the end of the season-a prepŠ°for the glorious feast of Easter.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Janina Gomes views and kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Janina Gomes and Speaking Tree,Times of India