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In the Judeo-Christian traditions, a basic commandment has been to take off one day in seven for worship and rest. It is interesting to note that this practice was made a definite commandment, not something in the grey area of morality left open to interpretation. Whether you are a true believer or someone who sees scripture as instructive metaphor, the Sabbath tradition of taking one day off in seven may help you adapt to the stress of modern living.
The Sabbath tradition begins in the book of Genesis, an account of the earth's creation. On the night of the 6th God ceases his labors and admires all he has created and then proceeds to take the next day off. Now why would the most powerful being in the universe need a day off? If God acted like a modern American, the next step would have been to consume an ocean-sized Starbucks and to keep on working or spend Sunday stuck in traffic driving from mall to mall! Yet instead God rests and appreciates the world on the seventh day and urges mankind to carry on this practice.
Maybe the lesson is that we need some sort of commandment in order to maintain a semblance of balance in our lives. The prevailing themes these days seems to be an endless cycle of work harder-buy more-work harder-buy more, etc. Yet does it really produce happiness? Taking off one day in seven is a natural way to detoxify from the stress and overstimulation of modern living. Below are some wonderful recommendations for the Sabbath tradition by Reverend Wayne Muller, who has done much to promote a return to the practice of keeping the Sabbath for both people who adhere to a specific religious practice and those who choose not to.
Practices for a Simple Sabbath by Wayne Muller
Light a candle
Set aside sacred time for a family meal, for prayer or
meditation or simply quiet reading. Set a candle before you, offer a simple blessing and let the world fall away.
Practice thanksgiving
Give thanks before meals, upon rising, when going to sleep. During Sabbath, we are less concerned with what is missing and more grateful for what has already been given.
Bless your children
Place your hand gently on their heads and offer your blessing. What do you most wish for them? Self-knowledge, courage, safety, joy? Let them hear your prayers for their happiness.
Invite a Sabbath pause
Choose one common act -- touching a doorknob, turning on a faucet or hearing the phone ring. Throughout the day when this occurs, stop and take three silent, mindful breaths. Then go on.
Take a walk
Stroll slowly to nowhere in particular for 30 minutes. Let your senses guide you. Stop and observe deeply whatever attracts you -- a tree, a stone, a flower. Breathe.
Pamper your body
Take a guilt-free nap. Take a leisurely bath with music, special scents, candles. Make love with your spouse. Walk barefoot in the grass. The Sabbath is a day of delight.
Create a Sabbath box
Put your to-do list, your keys, your wallet -- anything you don't need in Sabbath time -- into the box. Or write down a particular worry or concern and drop it in. Just for now, let it go.
Turn off the telephone
Or the computer, the TV, the washer and dryer. Create a period of time when you will not be disturbed or seduced by what our technologies demand of us.
Prepare a Sabbath meal
Or a Sabbath cup of tea. Even if you are alone, you can choose foods you love, put flowers on the table, take time to enjoy every dish, give thanks for the bounty of the earth.
Seek companionship
One of the most precious gifts we can offer is to be a place of refuge, a Sabbath for one another. Ask for companionship when you lose your way. Give quiet time and attention to others.
Reset your inner compass
Make a list of the values and principles that guide your life -- both those you follow and those you would like to follow. Speak them aloud, alone or with loved ones.
Surrender a problem
The Sabbath reminds us that forces larger than ourselves are at work healing the world. Imagine that these forces already know how to solve your problem. Turn it over to their care.
You can learn more at Bread for the Journey
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