Getting Calm - Listening Exercise

Listening Exercise (adapted from Praying in Lent by Donal Neary, SJ)

Sit in your chair, upright but comfortable, with your back supported.

Now just notice the sounds that you can hear, sounds far away. Just hear them, don't even try to name them...

Notice fainter sounds, then sounds which are nearer. Just listen, become aware of them...

And the sound of your own heartbeat, faint, but your own rhythm of life...

And the sound of silence in your place of prayer, the silence within yourself...

Listen like this for a few minutes. Then move into prayer, sleep or connect with God in His word.