Day 156, Evening

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Today’s evening meditation is available below in audio and script formats. The audio version is also available for free download on the player.

Reading

Dive deep, O mind, dive deep in the ocean of God's beauty. If you descend to the uttermost depths there you will find the gem of love.

—Bengali hymn

Commentary

Don’t think the purpose of meditation is to go deep into consciousness, wrap a blanket around yourself, and say, “How cozy! I’m going to curl up in here by myself; let the world burn.” Not at all. We go deep into meditation so that we can reach out farther and farther to the world outside.

In meditation we are going deep into ourselves, into the utter solitude that is within. As a counterbalance to this, it is necessary to be with people: to laugh with them, to sing with them, and to enjoy the healthy activities of life.

Meditation and selfless action go hand in hand. When we try to live more for others than for ourselves, this will deepen our meditation. When we deepen our meditation, more and more energy will be released with which we can love and help others. (WLB)

Stillness

As your day draws to a close, spend a few moments in silence and stillness. As thoughts about the day that just passed try to flood your mind, bring it back to love— a love that is big enough for all to draw on without ever depleting it.

Prayer

• for governments, world leaders, and the needs of our world

• for the continent of Africa

• for effective government services

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Abbreviations

BC The Belgic Confession

CAC The Center For Action & Contemplation

CD The Canons of Dort

CIB Church In Bethesda Prayers

HC The Heidelberg Catechism

NT The New Testament

OT The Old Testament

WC The Westminster Confession

WLB Eknath Easwaran’s, “Words To Live By”

WLC The Westminster Larger Catechism

WSC The Westminster Shorter Catechism