Concentrate and Calm Your Mind: Finding Stillness

Sunday Gathering
Written By Lane Smith

This Week’s Intention

To quiet the mind, become present, and discover the peace available in stillness.

Our minds are constantly moving—planning, remembering, worrying, imagining, analyzing. What happens when we learn to become still?

This week in Essential Spirituality, we’ll explore the practice of concentrating and calming the mind. We’ll have an opportunity to step out of the constant stream of thought and discover what becomes possible when we give our attention fully to the present moment.

Come slow down, settle in, and discover what you might notice when you allow yourself to simply be.

This Week’s Reading

Read chapters 19-21 in Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind.

Carrying It Forward

This week, we practiced concentrating and calming the mind—and discovered what becomes possible when we pause, settle, and simply give our attention to what is here.

Revisit the experience any time by watching our Sunday Circle on YouTube or listening to the podcast. Download Gretchel’s handout to follow along and practice giving attention to your breath.

Continue the Practice

Five Minutes of Stillness

Set aside five minutes each day to practice being fully present.

Find a comfortable place to sit. Close your eyes or soften your gaze, and bring your attention to your breathing. Notice the sensation of each inhale and exhale without trying to change it.

When your mind wanders—and it will—simply notice where it went and gently return your attention to your breath.

There’s nothing to accomplish and no particular state you need to reach. Each time you notice and return, you are practicing.

After five minutes, pause for a moment before moving on with your day. Notice how you feel.

Reflection Questions

  • What do you notice when you give yourself permission to slow down and be still?

  • Where does your attention tend to go when you are quiet?

  • What helps you return to the present moment when your mind begins to wander?

  • Where might a little more stillness create space in your life?

Affirmation

I quiet my mind, become present, and open myself to the peace within stillness.

Looking Ahead

Next week, we’ll explore the practice of awakening our spiritual vision. What might become visible when we look beyond our habitual ways of seeing and become more aware of the deeper meaning, possibility, and sacredness present in our lives?

Essential Spirituality

Join us for Essential Spirituality, a seven-week book study and journey exploring practices designed to help us awaken, grow, and live more fully.

Explore the hub→

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Our minds are constantly moving—planning, remembering, worrying, imagining, analyzing. What happens when we learn to become still?

This week, we’ll explore the practice of concentrating and calming the mind. We’ll have an opportunity to step out of the constant stream of thought and discover what becomes possible when we give our attention fully to the present moment.

Come slow down, settle in, and discover what you might notice when you allow yourself to simply be.

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About Gretchel Johnson, LUT

Speaker Library
Gretchel A. Johnson, LUT
Gretchel A. Johnson, LUT

Gretchel A. Johnson is driven by a commitment to serve and support individuals along their spiritual journey of self-discovery. With a professional background spanning over five decades, Gretchel brings a wealth of experience from various industries, notably the beauty and image sectors. Her international travels have afforded her opportunities to share industry insights and techniques, complemented by her ownership and management of two salons and one salon and spa establishment. Gretchel holds a non-secular doctorate in philosophy with a specialization in Holistic Life Counseling. Above all, Gretchel promotes an environment of love and acceptance.

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Lane Smith
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