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SIMPLE PRESENCE:

             What is it?

        What does it mean?

A Forum for Growth in Service Booklet

 

 

Simple presence is the gift of being with, 

not doing for. 

 

 

Simple presence is the desire to sit in quiet solidarity with another. 

 

 

Simple Presence is love demonstrated without 

the  burden of expectation or reward.

 

Simple presence means 

 

that I am willing to sit quietly 

with my fears, needs, and hopes,

 allowing them to 

 speak to me but not allowing them to  

force me into anxious action.

 

Simple presence means 

 

I am willing to put aside ego 

 

and pride in order to truly hear 

 

and be with the other.

 

 

Before I approach the other, 

 

I will calm 

 

and center my spirit. 

 

 

Before I approach the other, 

 

I will lay aside 

 

my own pain and anxieties.

 

Before I approach the other, 

 

I will lay aside my expectations 

of how this time will be.

 

Before I approach the other,

 

I will acknowledge 

that this is holy ground. 

 

When I leave the other,  

I will reflect, 

 

honoring all emotions, 

 granting myself the grace  

of tears,  frustration,  

anger, peace, joy.

 

When I leave the other,  

I will cherish myself. 

 

I will honor my own need 

 for simple presence.

Text by Carol D. Marsh

and

photos by her brother,

William A. Marsh