Returning to the Deep Well
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“There is in the soul a something in which God dwells, and there is in the soul a something in which the soul dwells in God.” — Meister Eckhart
It is no small thing to stay centered in a world like this, when the headlines stack one atop the next like waves with no shore, when every conversation feels tinged with urgency or exhaustion, when even the quiet moments are haunted by the next alert.
In days like these, we need our spiritual practices not as rituals of escape, but as ways to come home to ourselves—to re-enter the deeper stream that is always flowing beneath the noise.
Fr. Thomas Keating spoke of three centers of awareness that live within each of us.
First, there is ordinary awareness.
This is our everyday consciousness—the running commentary of the mind, what the Buddhists call monkey mind. It jumps from one thought to the next, checking, comparing, planning, reacting. It’s the voice that forgets to breathe, the attention span frayed by headlines and inboxes. Most of us live here by default. It’s not wrong. But it’s not the whole story.
Second, there is spiritual awareness.
This is the level we begin to access through prayer, silence, stillness. It doesn’t come through effort so much as through surrendered presence. Here, we begin to perceive not through analysis, but through intuition, connection, resonance. We sense ourselves not as isolated egos, but as part of something vast and interwoven. We begin to feel—viscerally—that we belong. That our life participates in something greater than itself.
And then, there is divine awareness.
Not a place we command, but a gift we receive. This is the center mystic Meister Eckhart speaks of, the place where “God dwells in the soul, and the soul dwells in God.” It is not often dramatic. It is not a feeling to chase. It is a stillness so complete it feels like being held. You don’t enter it through achievement. Only surrender opens that door.
St. John of the Cross once wrote, “Silence is God’s first language.” It may be the only language deep enough for what our world is going through now.
In chaotic times, our survival instinct wants to act, fix, speak, react. But our soul may be calling us first to descend. To listen. To become still enough to hear what cannot be heard on the surface.
Spiritual practice is how we make the descent. It is how we remember the deeper truth:
…That we are not the chaos we carry.
…That we are not the headlines or the hurry.
…That there is a well beneath the noise,
and it is always full.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
Which awareness center are you living from most these days: ordinary, spiritual, or divine?
What helps you soften your grip on ordinary awareness so you can drop into the deeper stream?
Have you had moments—even brief ones—of feeling that you are “in God and God is in you”? What did they teach you?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for Returning to the Deep Well
Holy One,
In the noise and rush of our days,
we forget the still point within.
Draw us back—not to escape the world,
but to remember You are here,
and we are held.
Help us release our grip,
soften our striving,
and rest in the silence where You dwell.
Let this be enough.
Let us be enough.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Descent Into Stillness
Set a timer for 10 minutes. Find a quiet place. Sit comfortably.
Gently close your eyes. Let your breath slow down. When the thoughts rise—as they will—don’t judge them. Just return to the breath, like lowering yourself down a ladder into still water.
As you settle, speak this phrase inwardly: “I belong to the Silence. The Silence belongs to God.” Let that be your anchor.
Even if you never feel “deep,” trust that the practice is working, quietly reorienting your soul toward the One who is already waiting in the depths.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
NEW!!! On June 4, 2025, from 7-8pm ET, join Brian McLaren, Matthew Fox, and me for an exploration of “In the Midst of Doom: Facing Our Moment and Finding Our Way” inspired by Brian’s latest book. In an age of climate crisis, political unraveling, and societal collapse, many are asking: What now? What’s worth doing when the systems around us are failing? How do we find meaning beyond hope as we’ve known it? Join us and we will explore together. Register here.
June 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Jeff Chu has written a new book on a topic close to my heart: Soil! The title is “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.” I am so pleased to be interviewing him. Together, we’ll explore what it means to cultivate “good soil” in our lives, our communities, and our spiritual practices. I hope you will register. Your registration includes a copy of his new book.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more.
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
Thank you Thank you Thank you Amen
You speak to my heart daily and to many others as well. You give me strength and guidance to know I'm not alone and am facing today with others of a like mind. Thank you