Presence and stillness

A profound sense of being fully and completely present

44% clearly described · 214 people
72% possibly described · 349 people
What is this

A profound, grounded sense of being fully present, often accompanied by the absence of mental chatter and a quality of deep silence. Distinct from Unity in that it emphasizes the quality of now-ness rather than oneness with surroundings.

The higher number includes everyone who mentioned stillness or presence; the lower number counts those who described it as the defining feature of their experience, clearly and in their own words.

How common is it
214
Clearly described
Both independent readers marked it from the same rulebook. The conservative count, and the one to quote if only one number is wanted.
349
Possibly described
At least one of the two readers marked it. The wider figure: where the readers disagreed, this is the more generous reading.
From the accounts
God is the silent presence at the very heart of all things present. God is real. God is here now, but we are not. If we want to experience the living presence of God in all things present, we have to come to where God is, which is in the present moment.
My silent companion was me — that was my real self. And then this incredible stillness set in — incredible beautiful stillness wherever I looked — surrounded by this incredible peace, the beauty of everything, and the privilege of being alive.
I don't lose awareness because I'd developed a quality of consciousness that I can't lose awareness anymore! It's like I go to another room and I'm still present here, but I'm hearing what's going on from a distance.
"I felt this force field of peace descend upon me. And it's like it pushed away all of the fear and I became filled with calm. I was totally at peace. And I heard a voice in my head say, 'Be still and know that I am God. I am with you now and always.'"
Hear it in their own words

First-hand accounts from people who described this experience, drawn from the interviews in this collection:

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