Thinking of Nothing
There are some film soundtracks that are instantly recognisable, Star Wars for instance. There is a lot of really good film music often showcased in dedicated film music themed concerts. One of my favourites is the Arthur Bliss music for the 1936 film “Things to Come”. Music plays a very important role in films much more than the opening credits. It is often there in the background setting the tone for the action on screen throughout the film. What is done in films can also be done in our lives. From the Sony Walkman to the latest iPods we can curate our own soundtrack as we go about our daily business. There are many people who seem to be permanently “plugged in” and that includes plenty of runners.
Having music to run to may help to focus the mind and therefore stop it racing onto sundry unhelpful distractions. It could boost energy too. But I don’t run with earphones for two reasons. Firstly I don’t want to be run over by a car or cyclist or be ambushed by an unruly dog and secondly I find it more helpful to listen to the world around – to my own footfall and my breathing. This is my route into thinking of nothing.
In terms of prayer it has been said that we should think of a mountain with clouds passing over and around it. We can get absorbed by observing the weather but in this picture we are not the weather we are the mountain. The weather, which is the swirl of thoughts in our heads, is incidental. Once we detach ourselves from thinking about the weather we start to know ourselves as the mountain. Similarly in running there are many things going on, all sorts of thoughts, feelings and sensations. We cannot pretend they aren’t there, and if we ignore them they lurk and exert an even stronger influence. Thinking of nothing means acknowledging the thoughts that come into the mind, not judging them then letting them go. Everything else can be dealt with later: sensations, emotions, desires, distractions. This is true for running and for praying.
If we are thinking of nothing we are not oblivious but we have the ability not to be dragged back into the past or worrying about the future. We are wholly in the present which is the place of all possibility.
Next week, “Running Repairs”
— The Rev’d Philip Davison
Support our Rector on his arduous 50 km run for the St Mary-at-Finchley “Give me Shelter!” Church and Churchyard Project DONATE NOW
On 5 October 2024 the Rector of St Mary-at-Finchley, the Revd Philip Davison, will be running the challenging Epping Forest 50K Ultra Marathon to raise funds for the St Mary-at-Finchley “Give me Shelter!” Church and Churchyard Project.
This difficult and demanding run is from Wanstead Flats up to Bell Common and back again. It is hilly and potentially muddy. It is also definitely the furthest Philip has ever run!
Please give generously!