In God bathing, the body is still, speech is silent, the mind is at peace.
One bathes in the presence of the very Being of God.
+Kathleen Dowling Singh
Just stand wherever you are—in the kitchen, in the shop, or in the bathroom— and wrap your arms around yourself as tightly as you can.
Rock yourself. Before long you will be able to feel God holding you in the same way you are holding yourself. You will be comforted the way you were comforted as a child when your mother held you in her arms and rocked you.
+Jose Hobday
IT’S AUGUST, AND WE AS A NATION and as a world have experienced and are still experiencing the hottest summer on this planet. Global warming seems to be getting our attention at last. It has certainly gotten my attention! When I was younger, healthier and many pounds lighter, I would spend my summer here on the convent campus in the lovely in-ground swimming pool, which we enjoyed for 30 years due to the kindness of a generous woman donor. We don’t do that anymore because the pool space was filled in in 2012 and I don’t enjoy sitting in the sun or swimming anymore. “Getting old” I guess? Physical issues and medications add to the issue as well. What to do?
I’ve turned to God bathing. Who wouldn’t want to bathe in the Presence of the Being of God? In some ways, I’ve been doing it for many years and just haven’t thought about it that way until Brother David Steindl-Rast, a Benedictine monk, called it that in one of his writings. Kathleen Dowling Singh brought the term to my attention in the quote above. When I say I’ve been God Bathing for years, I mean that through many spiritual encounters with others and in nature, the body is still, speech is silent, the mind is at peace, and it is as if I am bathing in the Presence of the very Being of God. Think about it. I suspect if you are in touch with your spiritual life, are aware of the Presence of God in all of creation, you too have been God bathing all long.
Sister Jose Hobday, one of the great spiritual teachers of our time, who happened to be a Seneca Elder and a Franciscan Sister, further describes God bathing to me when she tells us what to do when we feel the need to be nurtured. To me it is very close to God bathing, and we can do it wherever we are. Isn’t that what the spiritual life is all about? We need to be bathed in the Presence of God, which I would suggest is very much like being held by your mother or anyone else who brings you comfort with a loving hug. Furthermore, this God bathing is much needed in these times of turmoil on our planet. Wouldn’t you agree? I suggest that you try either the “silence” suggested by Brother David or the “wrap your arms around yourself hug” described by Sister Jose. Try it and do pass it on to others as I share it with you today. Stay cool! Peace!
Sister Mary Thill is a Sylvania Franciscan Sister. She can be reached at mthill@sistersosf.org. ✲
