Brother Richard

Entering into stillness, we come consciously and deliberately to our time of meditation.

We let go of the distractions, the events that were before this time, the things that may come after.

We enter into this gift, this time together to reflect, to open our hearts, to enter stillness.

Settling ourselves now

We recognize that this present moment contains not just us, but all that exists, all that is being held in being.

And so by tuning ourselves to the present moment in awareness, we are part of the great connected chain of being that is always present,

and always open to our awareness within the present moment.

Relaxing the body, settling into our seat, we open our heart and mind to the breath, feeling again its rhythm, its rise and fall.

touching it once again as the measurement of the tide of our life.

The breath comes in, the breath goes out.

Each cycle, an encounter with the present moment.

Each rise and fall, a cycle of breath that will never come again.

Breathing in, we dwell in the awareness of the in-breath.

Breathing out, we dwell in the awareness of the out-breath.

Breathing in, I recognize that I receive my breath as gift from all creation.

Breathing out, I recognize that I am part of creation, sharing my breath with all.

And as we breathe now, we can take a moment to consider the teaching of St.

Francis, that in fidelity to purpose,

The animals often exceed even human beings for they fulfill the purpose of their being.

Whereas we often get lost in our mind, lost in distraction and fail to fulfill that purpose as cleanly as they do.