Scrolling through Instagram, supposedly doing nothing myself, I stumbled upon an essay written by a man who intentionally set aside every Sunday to lay in bed all day with his wife and watch TV. There was no agenda. No work to be done. Nor even food to be prepared when there are such luxuries as delivery. He confesses that he is not religious but sees this time as sacred. It is a time of connection when it is so easy to take for granted the ones that we are closest to us.
He concludes by claiming it is a discipline for creating space. Something opens in the void. It is never named but the possibility is revealed.
It seemed like a stark contrast to Heidi Neumark’s wondering about her retirement to-do list. She is busy — but not in a hurry — to let go of the tasks that have taken up space in her heart and mind.
Her to-list has changed and it feels like she’s missing something. There is justice still to be done. There are people who still need help and she can’t help but feel a little guilty. Still, there is something luxurious and wonderful about the nothingness. She aims to drink it all in.
Our shared practice this month is to do nothing. It’s an opportunity to release productivity and luxuriate in the bliss of nothingness. Maybe it’s something like sabbath-keeping but even that still feels like doing. There is an intention whereas this invitation is to free yourself of any objective or purpose.
Stare out a window and literally just watch the world go by.
Light your to-do list on fire (no seriously) not because you’ve accomplished every task but because you are releasing yourself to simply be present.
Recall when you really wanted God to act. Maybe God was present even when it felt like nothing at that moment. Allow every passing thought about this possibility enter into your thoughts in your nothingness.
Sit in the darkness.
Binge watch your favorite guilty pleasure.
Allow yourself to redefine what you might otherwise call procrastination with making space for possibility.
Release yourself from productivity and see what else grabs your attention when you are not caught up in the attention economy.
Welcome boredom as a source of wisdom.
This practice feels especially hard and maybe not prayerful enough. So many of our ideas of doing nothing are wrapped up in negativity. Notice that edge and allow yourself to welcome this as a way to meet God. As you are inspired to do so, please share in the comments below your experience of this space.
As you enter into this October practice, here are some questions for reflection and prayer.
What gives you the freedom to be fully present?
What worries or concerns emerge as you try to claim this space?
How does God meet you in the boredom?
I found great resonance in that question about being prayerful enough in this essay about church architecture and secularism by Katherine Willis Pershey. For myself and most of my directees, we are still struggling with what feels prayerful which is perhaps why I’m suggesting this practice this month.
If this feels impossible, you might prefer the structure of these new retreat resources on Dandelion Marketplace I am offering by the beach and the garden. Look for more opportunities in the very near future.
If you are interested in spiritual direction and are interested in a first conversation with me, please reach out or go ahead and book an appointment here. I am currently welcoming new directees and would be delighted to explore the holy threads of this life with you.