glide

The soul, then, being thus inwardly recollected in

God or before God, now and then becomes so

sweetly attentive to the goodness of her well-beloved,

that her attention seems not to her to be attention, so

purely and delicately is it exercised; as it happens

to certain rivers, which glide so calmly and smoothly that

beholders and such as float upon them, seem neither to 

see not feel any motion, because the waters are not

seen to ripple or flow at all.

~ Saint Francis de Sales

from An Introduction to the Devout Life 

bring it back gently

If the heart wanders or is distracted, 

bring it back to the point quite gently and 

replace it tenderly in its Master’s presence. 

And even if you did nothing during the whole of your hour 

but bring your heart back and place it again in Our Lord’s presence, 

though it went away every time you brought it back, 

your hour would be very well employed. 

~ Saint Francis de Sales

with thanks to blue mountain meditation

calmly and smoothly

.

 

 

The soul, then, being thus inwardly recollected in God or before God,

 now and then becomes so sweetly attentive to the goodness of her well-beloved,

that her attention seems not to her to be attention, so purely and delicately is it exercised;

 as it happens to certain rivers, which glide so calmly and smoothly 

that beholders and such as float upon them, seem neither to see nor feel any motion,

 because the waters are not seen to ripple or flow at all.

 

 

~ Saint Francis de Sales

from An Introduction to the Devout Life