This brief article is an attempt to offer a quick induction into the practice of “Stillness”. A simple concept perhaps but understanding its depth will be supported by other articles. I want you to start this practice now and allow time for its power to slowly sink in.
The Idea
Your daily life is full of busyness and “To Do List” craziness. If we never slow down and appreciate silence and stillness, then the pace and stress of our life will overwhelm us. Stillness is when we reconnect with our source of energy, the universal knowing or God if you like. Prayer is not stillness. Prayer is awesome but that is when we are talking to God. Stillness is when we shut up and listen. God exists in stillness and silence. It was once said that for us to truly experience God we must empty ourselves. This means vacating the Ego, letting go of mind made constructs to make room for God to enter. This practice and this article is not about religion. It’s about creating a practice that promotes calm in your life. Creating room for joy and happiness to emerge out of you. It’s about doing nothing and shutting off your mind for brief moments, so you can recharge and reengage your life with calm energetic spirit. So lets go.
The Practice
Find a quiet place to sit. Preferably with a nice view of trees, water or something in nature. Have you ever noticed that tress never look stressed. Trees are rooted in the “is-ness” of life. Ice, cold, heat, storms, and wind blow through but the tree remains and simply endures in calm fashion. We desire to connect with this spirit of calm surrender to what “is”.
- Set your phone to go off in 10 minutes but turn it face down so you can’t see the passage of time. We are about to enter a timeless zone.
- Now leave everything you know behind – you have no name, no face, no history, no career, no education, no family, no community, no ties to any identity. You are simply energy. An energy free to mingle with the energy of the universe and of nature around you.
- You resist nothing because you are nothing. You have no Ego to fight or wrestle with the world. The Ego has evaporated.
- You no longer judge anything. You don’t own an opinion as opinions are the painful tool of the Ego.
- You are open and accepting of everything. Everything simply IS. Nothing is right or wrong. Things simple are what they are without need of your judgement.
- Now listen . . . listen for the silence. Can you connect with it? This means you are living in the present moment devoid of time.
Take a few breaths and relax into this space. Eyes open, simply appreciating your surroundings but you may close them from time to time if you like, to better hear the silence.
What are you sensing? Can you feel energy in your hands or feet? Your head or back? Chest? Simply take in the sensations or feeling that you detect. Don’t judge them. Just accept them.
Have you taken notice of your breathing? Can you simply appreciate that it is fast or slow, shallow or deep? Are you breathing through your nose? Your mouth? Is your belly moving with each breath?
Have you become aware that you are aware. You are the inner awareness of your being. This is presence. Consciousness. The deeper essence of you. This is truly who you are. Not your name or your profession or your history. This calm, deep energy is who you are. An energy in stillness simply appreciating “what is”. The IS-NESS of life.
In stillness we are without Ego, without pain. There is a natural joy and a tranquil quality as we have let go of the judgements and demands of others and even of our Egoic selves. We are now closer to our Essence (spirit, soul, Being) which is closer to God.
We are now in a state of receivership. We have stopped resisting what is. We are open to receive anything. We receive God’s presence, receive energy, receive healing. The universal knowing, or Devine truth can pour its wisdom into us. The universe loves to create and pour its energy through you as a filter. The universe will create through you as its tool, using your intellect to drive change needed in the world.
God’s love emanates through us to give us life. Life is fueled by this relationship. Connecting with this multiple times per day restores our energy and keeps us grounded. In stillness and presence, we have let go of Ego. We are without pain and suffering. No more judgement, no resistance, simply receiving. Pure energy. Pure love.
As your phone reminds you that the world is waiting, reenter it with a renewed sense of understanding. Don’t take yourself, your Ego or the world too seriously. It is a mere distraction from the true joy that springs from within you. Take that joy and share it.
Recommendations:
- Engage this practice through the day. Notice the pauses between words. The silence between appointments. Find the gaps in the day where silence can be appreciated.
- Stop twice a day for 10 dedicated minutes of stillness as detailed above.
- Stop every hour for just 30 seconds and reflect on what you are grateful for.
- Listen for the silence. This is the present moment. The only moment that matters.
Enjoy.
