Solitude Practice Week 1
The Quiet Place
We live in a therapeutic culture, where far more emphasis is put on feeling good than being good. Inside a culture focused on wellness spirituality, itâs easy to view practices like solitude, silence, and stillness as no more than spiritual disciplines for introverts who like that sort of thing. But this is not the solitude of Jesus or John the Baptist or Elijah the prophet. They may have spent time in the quiet resting, but ultimately, the goal wasnât to run away from the world but to run to God. And then come back to the world to love and serve. Solitude is not an easy path, but it is the ancient path â the Jesus path â to a strong, deep, joyful, vibrant life with God.
Below you will find steps to help you engage with this practice over the next four weeks, as well as resources for further exploration.
Ways to engage with the Solitude Practice
First and foremost, this practice (and all practices) are meant to be done in community. If you haven't yet, find a small group of people that are commited to walking through this practice together.
Download the Solitude Practice Guide. If you can, it is advised to print it out to reduce the distraction of our devices (Especially with this practice).
Gather with your group once a week to watch the Practicing the Way video found below. This will include questions for discussion, as well as a short teaching on that week's practice.
Step into each practice as much as you are able and feel comfortable to. This invitation is for everyone at all stages of life and faith.
Reflect on your experience of the practice using the reflection questions at the bottom of the guide and be prepared to share them the next time you gather with your group.
Recommended Reading
Invitation to Solitude and Silence by Ruth Haley Barton (Chapters 1-3)
Rule of Life Podcast
Solitude Practice Guide
Download the practice guide here
Week 1 Practice - Begin your day with a few minutes of solitude, silence, and stillness
You may find this exercise works better for you at night before bed, midmorning when your toddler is napping, or on your lunch break; thatâs great. But for the vast majority of people, we recommend first thing in the morning, when your body is rested, your heart open, and the day is new.
Here is a few steps to try:
Find a quiet place in your home or outside that is as distraction free as possible. Make sure your phone is in another room
Get seated comfortably, but where you can breathe properly and not slouch (Not on a couch).
Breathe slowly (five seconds on the inhale, then five on the exhale) from your belly. Relax. Become present to your body. And to the moment. Then, open your mind to God.
You may just want to remain here, in loving attention to the Trinity. Remember: Youâre not trying to pray words here. Itâs your heart to Godâs heart; this prayer is will to will, love to love.
When distractions come, just gently set them aside the moment you realize your mind has wandered and come back to your breathing. And they will come, way more than you think or want! Thatâs okay. It doesnât mean youâre bad at contemplative prayer; it means youâre human.
Spend a few minutes just resting in God's love for you. Let the Holy Spirit make his presence known to you. You may eventually want to pray a psalm or read a Scripture passage. Or praying over your life.
Whenever you're done, close your time with a simple ptrayer of gratitude to God for his presence. love, and goodness in your life.
Please note: Our strong recommendation is that you do this every single day this coming week and, if you can, for a little longer on the Sabbath. If you only get to do it once or twice, thatâs still great, but there is something about the practice of beginning every day in the quiet with God that is very basic, yet ancient and powerful.
Week 1 Reflection Questions
Before your next time together with the group for Week 2, take five minutes to journal out your answers to the following three questions about the practice:
How did your practice of solitude go this week?
Where did you experience resistance in solitude?
In what ways did you encounter God?
