In modern day life, with its distractions, anxiety, depression, anger, and addiction, it seems hard to experience God’s transforming love and healing touch. Many of us seem to play a role as a good Catholic woman/wife/mum/daughter/friend/
professional, but don’t necessarily experience the fullness of life as a child of God at the core of our person, nor “act with efficacy and purpose to be in a living relationship with God, determined to take heaven and let heaven take us” (Natalie Thomas, Anima Perth Team). God is nearer to us than we are to ourselves, and deep intimacy with God is possible in everyday life, as witnessed by Mary and Martha.
This was the focus of the Anima Perth team’s first retreat, held last month, 16th to 18th of 
February, in the peaceful setting of the Swan Valley, and facilitated by Meredith Secomb. Meredith has worked as a psychologist in both the public and private sectors; the latter specialising in the crossover of psychology and spirituality. Her PhD in Theology from the Australian Catholic University explored the topic “Hearing the Call of God.” She has published in the fields of spirituality, psychology, and theology, and has presented papers at conferences both in Australia and overseas. After completing her doctorate Meredith travelled into various parts of rural Australia as a missionary on a bicycle. Meredith now lives a simple life as a contemplative in suburbia and shares in the life of her local parish. She is particularly concerned to help people appreciate the value of everyday life as an opportunity for transformation in God.
Over the course of two full days, participants explored practical strategies to detach from distractions that hinder us from intimacy with God, and were lead into the silent depths within (cf. Psalms 46:10). On the Saturday night, adoration and the sacrament of reconciliation were offered, which participants found to be a much needed opportunity to find God in silence.
“Prayer calls us to be in the present, right now, here in this moment.” (Meredith Secomb)
We meet our God, the great I am, only in the present moment; not in our memory oranticipation of the future. For many, this is the greatest challenge, as the present moment has no form that the mind can control, so it tries to avoid it altogether (cf. Matthew 26:41). A number of strategies were proposed to recognise and resist these distractions that draw us out of silence and stillness, including: practicing “watchfulness”; using grounding techniques; creating a quiet prayer space at home or work to allow grace to inhabit place; and “talking back” at distractions and temptations using scripture, as proposed by fourth century monk and spiritual guide, Evagrius of Pontus.
“With all watchfulness keep thy heart, because life issueth out from it.” (Proverbs 4:23)
The soul’s centre is God, he is in the “sound of sheer silence” (1 Kings 19:12), and self-
awareness is incredibly important if we are to achieve this stillness of the heart in and amongst life’s chaos. This is where the practice of watchfulness comes in and fits hand-in-hand with prayer. Watchfulness, that is, a mindful and alert awareness of our thoughts, behaviours, and emotions, allows us to strip away layers of distraction, enter silence, and find our inner “I” through which we find God, no matter where we are. It is also through silence that we are able to best relate to others.
“Rejoice together in the deepest silence.” (Saint Teresa of Ávila)
The saints offer us lived examples of finding God in silence; Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, and even Our Lady, who knew the light of Christ within. We, too, are called to be as Mary, through simplicity and total devotion to Jesus. Her example teaches us holiness, silence, humility, and stillness.
~ Sarah Paverd
Anima Perth Team