Be still and know that I am God

Jung recounts a story of a clergyman who had been working fourteen hours a day and was suffering from emotional exhaustion. Jung’s advice was that he should work eight hours a day, then go home and spend the evening alone in his study. The clergyman agreed to follow Jung’s advice precisely. He worked eight hours, and then went home and to his study, where he played some Chopin and read a novel by Hesse. The following day he read Thomas Mann and played Mozart. On the third day he went to see Jung and complained that he was no better. “But you didn’t understand,” Jung replied, on hearing his account. “I didn’t want you with Hermann Hesse or Thomas Mann or even Mozart or Chopin. I wanted you to be all alone with yourself.” “Oh but I can’t think of any worse company,” answered the clergyman. Jung replied, “And yet this is the self you inflict on other people fourteen hours a day.”

– Experiencing God by Kenneth Leech

As I noted in my previous entry, I am entirely unworthy to make any commentary on this story as undoubtably my sin will tarnish it. Yet, the paradox continues to beckon me to expound, so I march forward, without justification. I will make my words few.

Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that I am God

This is something I don't believe I have ever striven for. Silence; stillness. Can I even be still for an hour? Half an hour? Ten minutes?

Western Christianity has lost this concept. Where is the stillness? The meditation on God?

Of course, our own company is the worst company. Yet we so easily inflict oursleves on others everyday.

I challenge myself, and my readers to be still. Can we do it?

May God have mercy on all of us.