John 14:25-27 [Jesus said,] “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
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Thich Nhat Hanh writes, “The Holy Spirit, the energy of God in us, is the true door. We know the Holy Spirit as energy and not as notions and words. Wherever there is attention, the Holy Spirit is there. Wherever there is understanding, the Holy Spirit is there. Wherever there is love and faith, the Holy Spirit is there. All of us are capable of recognizing the Holy Spirit when it is present.”
Thay equates the Holy Spirit with Mindfulness. This may seem blasphemous to some – but perhaps only to those who have not experienced true mindfulness: Have you experienced 100% presence? Have you been immersed – saturated – in complete gratitude for this moment? Have you experienced such total awe and wonder that a child’s face, a bumblebee, the swaying of the grass, or a song’s refrain places you on the verge of joyful tears?
What does it mean if we embrace Thich Nhat Hanh’s view of the Holy Spirit as Mindfulness? It means that the Holy Spirit is available 24/7. Tonight, after dinner, you can choose to practice mindful breathing or mindful waking and enter into a state of mindful presence; tonight, after dinner, you can invite the Holy Spirit into your home and into your being. Tomorrow morning as soon as you open your eyes, in the middle of the afternoon on Saturday, if you happen to wake up at 3:45 am one day next week, at any time, you have the option of being with the Holy Spirit through the practices of mindful breathing, mindful walking, and mindfulness meditation. As John’s Gospel implies, the Holy Spirit is made available to us – right now and always.
Breath. Spirit. Presence. Holy. Available. Now.
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The Holy Spirit is not to be limited by notions and words. Thich Nhat Hanh describes the Holy Spirit as the energy of God that is available to us right now. Take a few moments to notice your breathing. Be aware of your in-breath …. your out-breath …. your in-breath …. your out-breath. Let your breathing slow down, naturally. Breathe in and out as you read these words: In …. Out …. In …. Out … In …. Out.
Notice your body. Sit upright (if possible), but relax. Notice your muscles: in your neck, your back, your arms, your legs. Where are your muscles clenched or tight? Invite those muscles to relax with your out-breath, return to awareness of your posture with your in-breath, then invite the muscles to relax again on the out-breath: In-Posture …. Out-Release …. In-Posture …. Out-Relax …. In-Posture …. Out-Ease….
The Holy Spirit is available to us: In …. Out …. In …. Out. Right now.
(Music: Courtesy of Adrian Von Ziegler, “Circle of Life.” )