Stillness · “Stillness Reveals”
The Holy of Holies Within
To withdraw attention from all outer things, enter the inner ‘secret place’ or holy of holies of one’s own soul, and rest there in loving, wordless communion with the indwelling ‘Light of Christ.
The Holy of Holies Within: Grow still and “close the doors of consciousness to all outside things.” Turn inward to “the secret place, the holy of holies within your own soul, the very center of that ‘Light of Christ.’” Rest there in loving communion — not asking, just abiding — letting peace and assurance register. When the mind strays outward, close the doors and return. Let the stillness overflow into praise and life.
What it is
This is Annalee Skarin’s contemplative practice: a deliberate turning inward, away from all external things, into what she called the “secret place” or “holy of holies” of one’s own soul — the inner center she identified with the indwelling “Light of Christ” — there to rest in loving communion.
It is the receptive, still complement to her outpouring praise: where praise gives, this practice receives and abides. Skarin’s instruction is direct: “Enter into the secret place, the holy of holies within your own soul, the very center of that ‘Light of Christ,’ then close the doors of consciousness to all outside things.” The aim is not analysis or petition but communion — to be quietly present to, and aware of, the divine she held to dwell within, until its assurance and life register as felt reality.
The Method
From Ye Are Gods and her later writings (faithfully described; short quotes only):
- Withdraw from the outer. Become still and “close the doors of consciousness to all outside things.” Set aside the senses, the day’s noise, and the wandering mind.
- Turn to the center within. Direct attention inward to “the secret place, the holy of holies within your own soul” — the inner point Skarin names “the very center of that ‘Light of Christ.’” This is the single object of the practice.
- Commune, don’t petition. Rest there in love and reverence. The mood is meeting, not asking — being present to the indwelling Light rather than working on a problem.
- Let assurance register. As you abide, let the felt sense of presence, peace, and assurance build. Skarin held that the Light, dwelt with, makes itself known as living reality rather than idea.
- Hold it lightly and return. When the mind drifts to outer things, gently close the doors again and return to the center, without strain.
- Carry it into praise and life. The stillness feeds the continual praise and the love-in-action that complete her teaching; communion is meant to overflow, not to seal you off. (Sourcing note: Skarin’s books are in print via DeVorss/Inner Sound Press; the lines above are attributed quotation and paraphrase, not full reproduction.)
Source & Lineage
Annalee Skarin (1899–1988), raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and later excommunicated for her mystical teaching, published Ye Are Gods in 1948 and several later works.
Her “holy of holies within” draws directly on Jesus’ counsel to “enter into thy closet” and pray to the Father “in secret” (Matt. 6:6) and on the LDS/biblical motif of the indwelling Light of Christ, fused with the wider contemplative tradition of withdrawing the senses to meet God within.
The Traditions' versions
The move of closing the senses and turning to an inner divine center to rest in communion is one of the most universal of all contemplative forms; Skarin’s version is marked by its explicit “holy of holies” / indwelling-Christ-Light framing and its pairing with continual outward praise:
- Centering prayer — consent to God’s presence within, releasing thoughts.
- Teresa’s prayer of recollection — gathering the faculties inward to the “interior castle” where God dwells.
- The Jesus Prayer / hesychasm — descending the mind into the heart to commune with Christ.
- “Be still and know” (Benner) — quieting to rest in God.
- Practice of the Presence (Brother Lawrence / Fox) — abiding with the indwelling God.,
Common refinements
Straining to “find” the center. It is a gentle turning, not a search-and-seize. Relax inward; don’t grip.
- Turning it into petition. This is communion, not asking. If you catch yourself problem-solving, close the doors again and simply rest.
- Sealing off from life. Skarin meant the stillness to overflow into praise and loving action, not to become withdrawal from the world.
- Chasing experiences. Lights, thrills, or “proof” of the indwelling Christ are not the goal and are easy to manufacture or over-read; value the quiet, not the fireworks.
- Over-long, forced sessions. Modest, regular sitting beats marathon effort, especially given the cautions below.