Dean’s Letter: Finding Inner Peace

Dear St. Paul’s family,

I am sure you are aware of the generally heightened sense of anxiety that surrounds us these days. I certainly feel it, and maybe you do too. There is plenty to be anxious about: the recent wildfires and climate change; the graffiti on the church walls and hostility to progressive denominations; the national upheaval with the threat of the interruption of social services, research, and employment; the tragic events in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan and elsewhere … It is possible to be overwhelmed by all this and to find ourselves lost in a morass of despair, anger and fear. But that isn’t healthy as a constant state of mind, and as people of faith I hope we can find inner resources to help us stay afloat.

Jesus promised us peace, and even when the world is in turmoil, we can find moments of peace when we sit quietly in God’s presence, whether at home or in church. We can also create intentional experiences that will equip us to withstand the onset of sadness and rage.

Here are some things that have helped me recently, by providing points of light that I can recapture in memory when I need to:

• Taking a walk in Balboa Park, around Lake Murray, or along the PB boardwalk, appreciating the beauty of nature and the variety of people to be seen.
• Practicing a gentle form of yoga, with its emphasis on measured breathing and careful movement.
• Daily recall and recitation of things for which I am grateful.
• Hugging my cats.
• Getting a massage.
• Sitting in a dark room with a sleeping baby on my chest.
• Attending Evensong and allowing the music and evening light to wash over me.
• Sorting through old photographs and reliving the memories of family and friends.
• Playing music with friends and being caught up in the “flow”, where there is no room in my brain for anything other than the notes in front of me.

Your list will be different, but I encourage you to make the list and be intentional in both creating the moment and in recalling it as a spiritual exercise. It isn’t irresponsible to take care of ourselves, even if the world seems to be on fire. For the sake of our mental and spiritual health, we all need these moments of respite; they will refresh us and make us stronger for the work of justice and peace that lies ahead. St Teresa of Avila offers us these words of wisdom:

Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing frighten you.
All things are passing away.
God never changes. 

May you know the peace that passes all understanding.
Your sister in Christ,
Penny