The answer to this question depends on what we mean by stillness. It’s possible to mimic real stillness by disciplining ourselves simply not to move. In this sense, we can be still without coming from presence. Our “stillness” in such a case has a forced quality to it: we are making ourselves be still.

In contrast, an authentic experience of stillness springs from our still center, our connection with the infinite Presence many call God. This stillness arises quite spontaneously, which means there’s nothing forced about it. It’s not something we have to make happen. On the contrary, it’s our most natural state once we remove the conditioned behavior, thoughts, and emotions that keep so many of us from accessing this state.

Stillness is simply relaxing into the presence within us, which involves feeling and being anchored in what throughout this Course we call our “inner body.”

When we come from presence, even our most challenging tasks are accomplished from a state of inner restfulness which anchors us into the Now and allows us to access what we need at that time from the unified field of consciousness with which we are one. When we come from presence, we bring aliveness—the energy of presence—into our relationships and experiences.

You may have heard the statement made by St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo in North Africa in the fourth century, “Love, and do what you will.” The question is: How do we know that what we are doing is truly coming from love?

Being in a state of presence is our divine insurance policy. It ensures we bring our higher self, which is in its very nature love, into all we say and do. So, we could reword St. Augustine’s insight: “Bring presence to everything and everyone, then do what you will.” This ensures that everything we do comes from love.

At first we have to intentionally choose to come from presence. In other words, it requires discipline. This is because, in growing up, we have forgotten how to be the truly present individual we were when we initially came into the world.

When we meet with a difficult person or find ourselves in a challenging situation, we can intentionally bring ourselves into a state of presence, which will enable us to respond to the individual or situation in an appropriate manner. As we continue to diligently practice being present, in time it can become an abiding reality, no longer requiring self-discipline, since it’s our natural state.

Opportunity for Self-inquiry and Sharing:

A.    Can you recall an instance in which you met a difficult person or found yourself in a challenging circumstance, yet you were able to maintain presence in the situation?

B.    How were you tempted to approach the person or situation at first, and what difference did coming from presence make?

Comment: If you have been fortunate to meet a person who is a walking field of presence, you no doubt experienced wanting to just be with them and bathe in their energy field. Surely this is what it must have been like to be around Jesus, the Buddha, Gandhi—indeed, all true spiritual masters. Their presence ignites and meets with the presence within us. This tells us we too can become beacons of presence in the world—and, in fact, are called to be so. 

This ends Section 4

The next section will be posted

Monday, April 12