Rest for Readiness

These two sculptures of horses placed outside the main entrance of a well known institution in south India has drawn my attention for reflection. As I have had some contacts and conversations with the founder of the institution, I was even more touched by the message they represent. 

The first horse sculpture is positioned at a most visible spot on a stand alone pedestal surrounded by well trimmed hedge plants. This is the position that a racing horse would acquire before and after a race. It is a position of rest to increase alertness, focus and priming into action. I have come across such resting spots for horses in stables and racing tracks. 

This invites us to consider one dimension of rest- rest for readiness. This meaning is closely related to the practice of retreat, when people withdraw from their routine ways of living to a  pre-planned rhythm of spending time, focussing on one's inner resources and turning attention to Godward to feel replenished, restored and renewed. This a common monastic practice where its leaders take time away from responsibilities to ponder, listen, and prepare themselves for new opportunities. 

Such times of rest has three good practices.

 It is a time of withdrawal from the regular rhythm of meetings, telephone conversations, social engagements. This relieves a person from tiredness, demands. There is better order to the day  and personal regulation of time during such a time rest. 

It is a time of engagement on the purpose for which this time of rest or retreat is set apart. One may pay attention to one's personal life, a forthcoming challenge or spiritual renewal or holistic well being. The duration of this predetermined rest time is used for the purpose one has chosen. Often this is planned in advance to experience the fulfilment of the purpose.

It is also a time of looking forward. Often such times of rest or retreat bless us with insights and discoveries, which would help in revising our lives, mission or priorities. We can return to our regular rhythm frorm such occasions of rest with an inner urge to monitor our circumstances rather than surrender to our circumstances. It is as though, there is  new energy, enthusiasm and emotional preparedness to be fully present to our given situation.  

The second sculpture of the horse is symbolic of this readiness for a reaching out. The facial composure and posture of the body convey the readiness for race.

The message from these two sculptures is too obvious, that we can ill afford to ignore. It calls us to rest for readiness.  

Our lives need in between times of rest. It is different from taking a holiday, which is often for a change, leisure or relaxation. We need holidays and seasons of rest, both having different purposes.

The writer of the book of Hebrews in the new testament in chapter 4, referred to a promise of 'entering into His rest', which people of God are blessed with. It is when we prepare ourselves by setting apart time to return to an interior consciousness, we may be carried into an experience of 'rest', which is communion with the Lord of our lives. It is from such an experience, we can work restfully or extend the reality of communion to all that we do.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)