The Wild Reed: The Quiet Art of Cultivating Stillness and Peace

The stillness of the
peace of God is mine.

– A Course in Miracles
Lesson 273

This time last week – Friday, October 23, I turned 61.

I took the day off work not only to mark my birthday but to attend my dear friend Brigid McDonald’s funeral. Later in the day I did some errands, put my car through a car wash, and visited the Prayer Tree. That night, my friends Noelle and John hosted a lovely dinner for me with our mutual friends Fred and Madeline.

All in all, it was a quiet birthday, which suited me just fine.

That’s because the “quiet art” of cultivating stillness is something that’s been an important focus in my spiritual life of late.

I’m thinking you’ll agree with me when I say that there’s just way too much noise, chaos, and uncertainty in the world right now, more so than usual these past few years. As a result, I’m feeling the need to be extra mindful of creating time and space to take that “sacred pause” so as to align myself with the “living light” both within and beyond me.

I’m reminded of how author Marianne Williamson writes that the cultivation of stillness is the best preparation for our response to the unsettledness and urgency of the times we’re living through. This is because the inner peace that results from our connection and alignment with God through stillness, builds “non-reactivity.” In other words, it keeps us calm and focused in the midst of upheaval, division and uncertainty. I don’t know about you, but this non-reactivity is what I very much want to embody (and convey to others) in these troubling times we’re living through.

Williamson also reminds us that the divenely-inspired and -infused inner peace we cultivate through times of intentional stillness builds courage, insight and intuition. It deepens the mind and expands the heart. And through us – our thoughts and actions – this peace contributes (in ways known and unknown) to the building of a new world; a less selfish and fearful world, and a more loving and peaceful one.

I trust this to be the case, which is why I continue to engage in things that matter – including my work as a Palliative Care chaplain. I also continue to stay informed and involved as best I can in the political scene. But I do so from a place of inner groundedness and a certain loving detachment from the need to control each and every outcome. Because, more often than not, I can’t control outcomes; I can only open myself to being guided by the sacred source within to “show-up” in ways that extend the love, understanding, and peace of this same sacred source.

I’ve discovered that to both receive and extend the flow of transforming Love that is God, the sacred, the living light, the Beloved – whatever name we want to give it, I need to cultivate times of stillness and quiet.

As has been the tradition at The Wild Reed, I mark the occasion of my birthday this year by sharing a song, prayer and/or reflection that I find particularly meaningful; that speaks to where I’m at on my journey. This year, given everything I’ve just said about quietude and stillness being important aspects of my spiritual life and journey, I’m sharing “Quiet Art,” one of a number of stand-out tracks from Wendy Matthews’ 1992 album, Lily. I hope you find it as beautiful and meaningful as I do.

You show astounding grace
Among these dislocated souls
You’re not of this world
Where everything is bought and sold

I have tried but thankfully I’m flesh and soul
You’re just standing quiet
Another lost forgotten art
Either way you miss
For you are neither slave nor free
If you can stay with me,
Talk about the things that you most want to be
The quiet art of standing still

Hold on tight
We can withstand the coldest hearts
Just a world weary smile
You feel there’s nothing left to give
I want to help you carry this
If silence is consent
Then I have nothing left to say
If you can stay with me
Talk about the things that you most want to be
Well, it’s not past you yet
It’s the quiet art of standing still

This must be a test
I pray you can find the strength
Like moments you regret
Nothing can be done they’re gone
Sleep come take me quick
To the quiet art of standing still

Try and touch the place
Where everything was broken
By all that you resist
You cannot make a deal with God
I want to help you carry this
If silence is consent
There’s nothing left I have to say
If you can stay with me
Talk about the things that you most want to be
Well it hasn’t passed you yet
It’s the quiet art of standing still

~ “Quiet Art”
by M. Connor and Wendy Matthews
(from Wendy Matthews’ 1992 album Lily)

Beloved One, Your peace is mine.
What need have I to fear that anything can rob me of what
You would have me keep? I cannot lose Your gifts to me.
And so the peace You gave me is with me still,
in quietness and in my own eternal Love for You.

– A Course in Miracles
Excerpted from Lesson 273 (adapted)

The Wild Reed

Friday, October 30, 2026

The Quiet Art of Cultivating Stillness and Peace

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