OVERVIEW

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Gazing upon Jesus, whether in your imagination, or on a physical image, is an act of relationship. The Indwelling Presence of God is acknowledging the reality that God already dwells within us. We are not God, but He imparted into our Souls at our conception, His "beingness" or Essence which instills in us a longing for God, that drive for something beyond ourselves. To become that indwelling presence  we must enter into a state of ever deepening surrender and neutrality. In this state we let go of our egos, emotions, and attachments and receive God's love, experience His Glory, and hear Him speak to us in our hearts, sending us forth to take right action.

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A GUIDED PRAYER

Depending on our stage of spiritual maturity on any given day, we may use the following, whether all or in part, to prepare us to receive His love. The following may be done individually but doing it while sitting with a group of people magnifies and deepens the experience.

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Resting in the Indwelling Presence of God

1. Take a moment now to settle into stillness.

2. Sit comfortably.
   Let your body be at ease.
   There is nothing you need to accomplish here.

3. Allow your breathing to become natural.
   No control.
   No technique.
   Just receiving each breath as a gift.

(pause)

 

Turning Inward

1. As you have learned to do, gently turn inward.
   Not to observe yourself.
   Not to empty yourself.
   But to be present.

2. You may notice quiet.
   You may notice movement.
   Whatever is here is welcome.

(pause)

 

A Shift of the Heart

1. Now, make one small interior movement.
   From awareness…to relationship.

2. Silently, simply acknowledge: 

“God, You are here.”

You do not need to imagine God.

You do not need to create His presence

He is already present—

dwelling within you by grace.

(pause)

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Being Received

1. Let go of effort.
   Let go of watching.
   Let go of trying to reach anything.

2. Instead, allow yourself to be received.

3. You are not entering silence alone.
   You are entering silence with God.

4. Christ lives in you.
   The Holy Spirit prays in you.
   The Father holds you in love.

5. Rest in that truth.

(long pause)

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If thoughts arise

1. If thoughts come, do not resist them.
   If sensations come, do not follow them.

2. Gently return—not to the breath,
   but to a simple awareness of Presence.

3. You might rest in a word such as:

• Jesus

• Abba

• Here I am

Not as repetition.
Only as a soft turning of the heart.

(pause)

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From awareness to communion

1. Notice the difference now.

2. You are not observing consciousness.
   You are being known.

3. You are not dissolving.
   You are being loved.

4. Let yourself abide there.

(long pause)

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Surrender

1. If you feel drawn, you may offer a quiet consent:

2. “I receive Your life within me.”
   “I surrender to Your Presence.”
   “Let Your love live through me.”

3. Say nothing more unless you are moved.

4. Silence is enough.

(long pause)

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Closing

1. As this time of prayer gently comes to a close,
   do not rush away.

2. Carry this awareness with you—
   into your body,
   into your relationships,
   into the ordinary moments of your life.

3. This Presence does not end when prayer ends.

4. “Remain in Me, and I in you.” (John 15:4)

5. Rest a moment longer…
   then, when you are ready, slowly return.

 

WHEN

Radical Love offers monthly introductory Gazing Adoration classes so that you may learn to pray in this form and soon a weekly group meditation to pray in this form together as a community. Such classes become living examples of Mathew 8:20 "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them" indicating greater availability to God in a gathering of persons. This is in addition to your individual adoration practice and Adoration and Benediction with the Body of Christ displayed in the monstrance in your church.

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WHERE

Virtual classes/groups are via Zoom or in-person, if local to Petaluma, CA. Registrations will indicate where located.

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REQUIREMENTS

You are required to take the introductory class prior to attending a group meditation. If unable to attend a scheduled monthly introductory class, you may schedule a private session with Linda for one or more people. Go to Book Online, select Schedule Private Sessions, and select Introduction to Meditative Adoration.