WAYS TO PRACTICE STILLNESS
Stillness is the absence of movement. Stillness is where movement is born. Movement in itself is action. Action at some point reverts back to stillness. Stillness replenishes your mind, heart, and body and as the human world innovatively progresses, stillness is required more and more. Stillness is necessary in order to quiet the mind so we can hear the real truth that resides within us. Keep reading and discover ways to practice stillness throughout your day.
It is in this stillness that we can be present and finally see truth. It is in this stillness that we can hear the voice inside us. ~ Ryan Holiday
WHY YOU NEED STILLNESS
Why are we constantly reminded about stillness nowadays? Because the world has kicked it into ludicrous speed (Spaceballs movie reference) and the only way we can replenish is if we actually stop for a moment so we can take a breath, observe, appreciate, savor, and deeply understand; EVERYTHING. Stillness is like drinking water; it brings equanimity back to your body. Incorporating moments of stillness into your day helps you peel off the emotion from your thoughts, which keeps your nervous system in check. Additionally, it allows you to gain perspective when your mind is clouded with data.
WHAT IS STILLNESS
Stillness is not the absence or negation of energy, life, or movement; it’s actually really dynamic. You can experience it through the cessation of sound or movement, or contrarily, through steady uninterrupted movement. Do you appreciate the stillness when you are in nature for example? When you hear the sound of the leaves, the occasional animal noise, or the blanketing sound of a wave, doesn’t it seem so quiet and calm even though there is movement? That type of stillness is life in harmony, harmony in action. When you are completely present, I mean, wholeheartedly present in these moments, you are in stillness.
Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen – that stillness becomes a radiance. ~ Morgan Freeman
HOW TO PRACTICE STILLNESS DURING YOUR DAY
Practicing stillness is medicine for your mind, body, heart, spirit, and soul. Discipline is required to start and to practice something new. Set an alarm, add it to your calendar, and put your well-being first. Let me repeat that: PUT YOUR WELL-BEING FIRST. There isn’t a set recipe for how to add stillness to your day. But what you can do is take different “ingredients” and create a final recipe that works for you! I’ll give you a few of my favorite ways to add stillness to my day and you can find more!
Here are 5 ways to practice stillness within all areas of your human existence.
BE FULLY PRESENT
Whatever has already happened you can’t redo. Whatever is to come you don’t know. Don’t take time away from enjoying great conversation, laughter, beauty, or knowledge by thinking about the past or future. An adage says “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, and today is a gift––that is why it is called the present.” Don’t mask yourself from what is happening in life. For instance, take your headphones off on the bus and just sit in your presence. At the park, put your book down and listen to the clock tick or simply look around. Wake up in the morning and lie there for a few moments noticing all your senses before you get up. Even more, when you wash your face feel the temperature of the water against your skin. When you are present in everything you do, it’s pretty much impossible to get lost in your thoughts.
SIT QUIETLY AND OBSERVE
This can take on the form of meditation if you wish or it can simply mean you make your tea or coffee in the morning and sit down in silence as you savor the taste, the sound, the smell, the touch, the view. Observing doesn’t always mean looking at the horizon with your eyes. You can use your internal eyes and observe your breath, your mind, or your emotions. After a discussion, sit down and observe. If you feel irritated or angry, sit quietly and observe what it does to your body. If you feel extremely excited and happy or in love, sit quietly and observe what it does to your heartbeat. There are many messages that arise within the walls of silence.
GO ON A MEDITATIVE WALK OR RUN
Remember silence is dynamic. 1. Take a walk and count your steps until 20 and start over. 2. Walk with a rhythm and inhale for 4 steps and exhale for 4 steps (change the count to what works for you). 3. Let your thumb repeatedly touch each fingertip (alternating) with each step for the duration of your walk or run. Keep scanning your senses as you move at a steady pace.
WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU ARE GRATEFUL FOR
The world is full of yin and yang, we know, we know. Balance out all the yang in your life by focusing on the yin such as writing down all the big things or little tiny things you are grateful for. Whether you scribble it down on paper, type it in your phone, or buy yourself a sweet little journal, write down things like being grateful for eyes so you can witness the distinction between the sky and the sea on the horizon at dawn, or how much you enjoy pistachio ice cream. Do hugs feel good to you? Write it down!
EAT IN SILENCE
To eat in silence is another present-moment type of stillness, but aren’t they all? When was the last time you sat down to eat and didn’t do anything else? No phone, laptop, tv, book, work, whatever… It starts with preparation. Be present as you wash, chop, cook, or mix your food onto the plate. It’s not only active, but it’s also silent. Have a seat and start to enjoy the burst of flavor inside your mouth. Tune into the temperature, the texture, the smell, the taste, and the nourishment that the body is receiving (providing what you are eating is not cotton candy). Enjoy every crunch, creamy sip, or soft bite. Smile. Notice how quiet your mind can be when you eat.
START NOW
All you have to do is start. Since you just read about stillness, it’s a perfect time to close your eyes for a few moments and be still. Put your phone down or close your laptop. Sit quietly. Let all the thoughts subside by acknowledging them and putting them aside for later. This is your quiet time to tune in to all your senses and live fully, and wholeheartedly in the present moment. Enjoy this time that you have purposely given yourself.
You can also practice yoga with me in my YouTube video on Stillness 🙂