SPIRIT WOW: PRAYER, WEEK ONE

Savor

I like to go to Pinkberry. I’m not fancy. I just get an original tart. I sit at a little table, look out on the people passing on Broadway, and try to slowly enjoy each spoonful.

That might not sound like prayer to you. Where are the words I’m supposed to say, for example? Aren’t I supposed to have lines?

And for me, this is the first and maybe biggest lesson about prayer. When it comes to developing a spiritual life, prayer is not about saying the right things, or saying anything at all. It’s about trying to become more present, more in the world rather than a brain locked away at the top of a body endlessly spinning its wheels.

And one way of doing that is to pick something physical that you like to do, something that’s personal—this is not a group activity—and treat yourself to that. And here “treat” means do it, and do it slowly.

That’s the second big lesson of prayer, actually: Take. Your. Time. Because you need it. Have you ever tried having a relationship with someone who is constantly in motion? It’s pretty hard, right? Well, a relationship with God, or yourself, or the universe, is just the same. You can’t be present if you’re not going to be present. Know what I’m saying?

So this is today’s exercise: Pick a physical activity that you like. Something simple and that will not be stressful. (Riding a bike in Manhattan is not a great idea.)

Random examples: A hot shower. A bubble bath. Eating a favorite food. Sitting outside under a favorite tree, feeling the wind. Or sitting in a window appreciating the view. Doing yoga. Getting a massage.

Pick such an activity, and then do it. Do it as slowly as you can. Your brain is going to try and distract you—Hey, what about that thing you wanted to check on the internet? Maybe you need to send a text? And that’s fine. Your brain loves to keep you busy. But each time it succeeds, gently try to pull yourself back to the physical thing you are enjoying. If you need to, or you want to, take more time. (I have more than once bought a second cup of Pinkberry, for instance.)

But overall just let the activity be the thing, and enjoy it.

And when you’re done, if you want, maybe jot down a description of that physical experience. Sometimes in trying to describe what we’ve experienced we unlock more of it. We savor it more deeply.

That’s it. That’s the exercise. If you like it, try doing it a couple times this week.

And if you liked this, I’ll be back next Wednesday with another for subscribers.

Enjoy. <3