In this meditation, I introduce the first step of the Jesus Prayer, an ancient contemplative practice centred on stillness, breath and the repetition of a sacred name.
This tradition has been used for centuries as a way of drawing attention inward, helping the mind settle and the heart become more present and aware.
We begin by grounding ourselves in the body and the breath, allowing awareness to deepen gradually. From here, the meditation gently introduces the practice of resting with the name of Jesus, not as an idea to analyse, but as a sound and presence to dwell with.
The repetition of the name becomes a simple point of focus, helping attention gather and settle into stillness.
While rooted in the Christian contemplative tradition, this meditation is offered as an open practice of presence and peace, accessible to people of all faiths and backgrounds.
This meditation offers a moment of calm, whether you are pausing during the day or winding down before sleep, helping you cultivate stillness, focus and a deeper sense of inner peace.
This meditation supports contemplative prayer, focus and present moment awareness.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
00:18 – Connecting with divine presence
00:43 – The sacred name
01:06 – A practice for all faiths
01:43 – The bell
01:53 – Settling into posture
02:43 – Awareness of the breath
05:33 – Reflecting on the name of Jesus
07:48 – Sounding the name
10:35 – Resting in the sacred name
12:03 – Closing bell