A Mindful Space

I'm currently a church warden in St. Fachtna's Cathedral, Rosscarbery. It's a small role I've taken on this year for the third in a row. While I may be of some use ensuring everything is ready for Sunday morning at 11:30, let me assure you that I do it for very selfish reasons. Let me explain:-

There are so many of these 'mindfulness' courses that people flock to attend, I'm in awe. In awe, because every Sunday, I'm in the Cathedral for perhaps 45 minutes before the service. The preparation doesn't take that long, so why am I there? This is my selfish time. I stop. I sit for anywhere between 10 and 15 minutes. 

I sit at the back of the church and I don't have a book or a screen in front of me. I just sit and look:- 

St. Fachtna's Cathedral, Rosscarbery

• at the walls - built to last with a little care from ensuing generations; 
• the stained glass window on my right (there is another in the transept); 
• the stained glass windows through which light is filtered onto the altar; 
• the carved woodwork done with such care and attention; 
• the pews which are oftentimes empty but were once filled with families who 
• baptised their children in the font in front of me; 
• brought their children to confirmation classes so that they have have hands laid on them at Confirmation; 
• couples who decided to make their marriage vows in this space in front of a few or many people; 
• families who worshiped and are now buried in the graveyard outside the door or elsewhere. 

I spend a few minutes thinking of these people and their faithfulness. I wonder did they ever doubt their faith and question as I continually question my role in this church and my faith. (This is something that I'll probably be doing until the day I die)

Then I think of my purpose as a church warden - to prepare for the service but most important of all to welcome all who enter this building, whether they come because they're parishioners to worship or as tourists or as individuals who need to spend a few minutes in silence to ground them for the rest of the day or even the week. Everyone is welcome. 

St. Fachtna's Cathedral - interior

This Cathedral building dates from about 1600 and that's a long time for any building to be in use, but it is timeless and what better space to use to reflect and be aware of my own mental state. This space allows me to focus and be aware of the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting myself mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually, including all my failings 

I look at the history of the place; I feel the atmosphere which is so peaceful, and dare I say prayerful, and I'm grounded. That time sitting quietly in a space that generations have occupied before me helps me to be me in the now and to leave off  the cares and worries of daily life. They're still waiting when I leave the Cathedral but I'm stronger and somewhat ready for whatever lies ahead. Some would call this mindfulness; others faith, but they're just words to try and describe where I'm at.

It amazes me sometimes that more people, especially those who practise mindfulness, don't take advantage of these spaces. They're there to be used by Christians, and those who are searching for their grounding space.