July 14, 2023

Guest Column / Richard Etienne

Don’t worry about ‘doing’; make time for ‘being’ still in life

Richard EtienneAre you sometimes overcome with a strong reaction to even the most minor comment or stimulus that occurs? Is it helpful to always be so moved by every event that happens around you?

I was recently given an image that has been quite helpful in recognizing and reducing that inclination to be over-affected by endless emotional stimuli. The phrase that I received from my spiritual director is:

“I am the mountain and not the climate on the mountainside.”

The idea is that I don’t have to be emotionally affected by the comments and occurrences in my daily life. Maybe a person can find a deeper stability in which to anchor so that he or she is not overwhelmed by every situation or comment.

Maybe it is possible to focus our awareness on simply observing more in life and not reacting so quickly to situations. But that is easier said than done.

For me, this awareness is rooted in a regular practice of meditation—just sitting still for 20 minutes at a time.

Next, I need to cultivate a practice of merely observing my surroundings while staying detached from any reactive feelings. And lastly, to not be metaphorically blown around by every situation and comment that arises. (I admit this is not easily accomplished.)

In the Book of Psalms, we read, “Be still and know that I am God” (Ps 46:11). Just sit quietly and trust that God is still in charge of all of the crazy situations in our world.

In his Letter to the Ephesians, while St. Paul is explaining the different roles needed in building up the body of Christ, he finishes with, “so that we may no longer be infants, tossed by waves and swept along by every wind of teaching arising from human trickery, from their cunning in the interests of deceitful scheming” (Eph 4:14).

I have found that simple attempts at being still will take a lifetime of practice.

Many of us are good at “doing.” It may now be time to work on our “being.”
 

(Richard Etienne has a degree in theology from Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad and resides in Newburgh, Ind., in the Evansville Diocese.) †

Local site Links: