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“The pond is like the mind. When it is agitated – in fear, anger or restlessness – it distorts everything it reflects. Just as your reflection is broken by waves, so when your mind is restless it distorts your view of the world and yourself. But when the mind is still, it reflects the true nature of everything.”– Kai T. Murano, author The monk and the butterfly
The need for silence.
In being still, we invite calm, and when we are calm, we can gain transparency. After achieving clarity, the work begins, because action is involved and necessary for progress, but without the persistence to find our clarity, we will not progress constructively.
Take a stop sign, for example. A stop sign that allows you to either take a right, take a left, proceed straight-ahead, or even turn diagonally, choosing one or two additional routes to proceed. Stopping, if the path we’re about to walk is new, gives us pause to explore, consider, and hurry, but we can’t stay at the stop sign forever, nor can we hinder our own progress as well as that of others. The stop is temporary for a reason.
As much as I thoroughly enjoy my time at my cottage, butterflyPottering in the garden, relaxing in purposefully furnished snugs, and retreating to my own library of books, as well as a kitchen built for how I cook, not stepping out of my sanctuary regularly shrinks my life experience. My stillness at home nourishes me, giving me time to clarify what I’m curious about and what I want to prioritize, but then I need to experience, expand my awareness and deepen my understanding of both the known and unknown worlds. Silence helps me plan my path.
There is a balance being struck doing And still happeningexplored some years ago this post. And the balance will be different at different times of our lives, different days of the week, months of the year and years in our lives. The need to embrace the dynamism of life gives it the oxygen it needs to thrive and invite the fulfillment we desire.
Let’s explore how stillness can appear in our lives and remind ourselves to enjoy such moments instead of rushing into them or avoiding their invitation altogether. In fact, I encourage you to intentionally incorporate more moments of stillness into your daily life because with those moments of stillness that manifest themselves in our days, when we purposefully incorporate them, we enrich those that nourish us. Either way, when we consciously choose to embrace them, we give ourselves the gift of finding clarity, and that clarity gives us the confidence to find a way forward. Cultivating a satisfaction That is our own.
1. Finding a comfortable seat, rocking, space outside, tucked into the shade, surrounded by Mother Nature, and just listening. . . To the song of the birds, the soft rustle of the leaves in the wind. Just a witness. . . Where the sun shines, how the bees dance from flower to flower, the exquisite beauty and diversity of each flower.
2. Lying on our backs to look at the blue sky or moonlight, and breathing deeply in and out. Closing our eyes from time to time and reminding ourselves of all that makes this moment so incredibly peaceful.
3. Having decided with conviction to start a project (work or personal), we are eager to reach out and move forward with those we will be working with, but . . Between now and hearing back from them, choosing to stand still without making a decision and instead relax into our day, knowing we’ve taken on a dream and an idea.
4. Opening the cover of a book recently picked up at the library after storing it some time ago. Drinking slowly on leaves that provide engagement or inspiration. Finally tickled to have the book in hand.
5. Take a cuppa outside to sit at a table or nestle in a chair, or settle into a snug by the window overlooking the outdoors, and watch the birds dance on the branches, sing their songs, enjoy their own moment of relaxation or watch their turn at the cafe.
6. Stopping when a favorite composition or song starts playing. Maybe moving to the rhythm, or sitting and closing our eyes and letting the notes soak into our being.
7. After reading or hearing words of support, love, or confidence that, while not necessary, are more nourishing than the words themselves can describe, allow ourselves to sit with them, let it bring a smile, let it deepen our understanding, let it dispel lingering doubts.
8. When our bodies are tired, when our minds run from one task to another throughout the day, notice the need to put down the phone, technology of any kind, gently, yet firmly say, not now, and close the door to the world to give ourselves time to breathe deeply and center ourselves.
9. Allowing yourself to sit while on a plane or train, not using work time. Maybe picking a book to read, maybe journaling as thoughts or ideas or dreams come to us, just let this time be guided by our energy needs.
10. Take a walk on the beach, leave the AirPods at home, and let the sound of the waves lapping against the sand or rocks be your soundtrack. Breathing in the air, stopping from time to time to look at the vastness of the water.
11. While walking by the river, find a quiet, secluded spot and sit. The flow of water keeps us still, takes our thoughts away and allows us to drink in the calm.
12. Every day, especially those race days, but also those days that are fun, take time to sit down, put our feet up and remind ourselves of what makes our lives so special and amazing right now.
Stillness paradoxically releases everything that is not our burden to bear. Whether it’s exaggeration, responsibility to others, misunderstandings, or misdirected energy, when we remember to be still, the medicine to calm the waters of our mind has a powerful effect of dispelling lies, not worth engaging in battles, and the many other unnecessary ways we can plague our daily lives and don’t need to.
You can invite regular moments of stillness into your life, and in doing so, increase the lightness of your day and your appreciation of life. Have a great start to the week. sister journey
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