We hope everyone is safe and well. These are difficult times.
We have all been affected by the present global situation.
Whatever the implications have been, there is no doubt that we have been gifted some time in which to pause and reflect.
In the time that we have, we may feel that we must be doing something in order to be helpful.
We may feel a need to be busy which often comes from craving distraction for what we perceive as a negative situation.
When we are doing we are not still.
It is in stillness that we can reflect.
“The mind is like water. When it is turbulent, it is difficult to see. When it is calm, everything becomes clear.” Prased Mahes.
Just as a still pool of water reflects a perfect image of the self; when we are still, we are able to reflect for ourselves and others.
When we are still we become a mirror so that we and those around us can find our own answers.
If we can learn to quieten the chatter of our thoughts and be still, answers come to us in silence.
It is important to learn the value of stillness.
Consider also that stillness precedes right action.
A gymnast must first achieve a moment of perfect stillness before showcasing what appears to be the impossible.
During communication or even conflict, there are small spaces between the exchanges of sentences and expressions of thought where it is possible to achieve stillness.
When we harness these moments, time appears to slow down and we are able to calmly and perfectly deliver the information required for the greater good. This is because the information comes from a place of deeper knowing that we can only access when we are still.
Imagine that you are on a long journey. You must transport a bucket of water from the beginning of the journey to your destination.
When the ground is rocky, making you lose your footing, or there is adverse weather; the water slops from one side of the bucket to the other and slops back again, repeating until balance is reached.
When you stop and breathe, the turbulence eventually subsides. When you have achieved stillness, not only can you see right to the bottom of the bucket, you can also see yourself reflected in the still water.
‘How to Rise – A Complete Resilience Manual’ from Sheldon Press has a specific meditation for cultivating stillness in a busy world. It has over 60 additional tools and techniques to help improve your mental wellbeing, reduce burnout and allow you to take control of your life.