Can you be still? In a busy world, stillness is a skill that is becoming more rare by the day. How can we be still when our to-do lists are long and there are so many voices and things vying for our attention? Yet, it is in stillness that we come to know ourselves. When we take the time to cultivate stillness, peace and insight grow in our hearts and lives.
Why be still?
For some people being still equals wasting time. “We can’t be still,” they argue, “there is so much to do and so little time.” While there may be truth to that, constant busyness distracts us from the intuitive guidance, clear thinking and calm recentering that can be found in stillness.
One of the most important benefits of stillness is developing a stronger connection to your intuition. Intuitive guidance is often subtle. It is easy to miss if your thoughts are racing and your body is trying to keep up. When we allow ourselves quiet moments to ponder, ask questions, and open ourselves to receive, we can tune in clearly to inner truth.
And what about those racing thoughts? Stillness helps bring us into the present moment. It helps us sweep away the clutter in our minds and grab hold of what is truly important. Clear thinking becomes easy when we learn to pause and be still.
Finally, in the stillness that we cultivate can be found a profound center of peace. The more we practice going to this tranquil center, the more readily we can feel balance in our emotions, our reactions, and our lives.
How can we cultivate stillness?
Stop what you are doing and notice where you are. Take a good look around you. What do you see? Close your eyes and listen. What do you hear? Inhale through your nose. What do you smell? The first step in cultivating stillness is to become aware of where you are and what is happening right now. Be present in the moment you are in.
Spend time alone. Sometimes we stay busy in order to avoid being alone and aware with ourselves. You are not as scary as you think. Spend some quality time with yourself. You may be surprised at what you learn.
Meditate. You don’t have to make it complicated or hard. Find a method that feels right to you and practice being physically still. If you don’t know where to start, go back to the first step in this list. Pause and be mindful of where you are and what is happening right now. This is a type of meditation in itself. Meditation is not a chore to be completed. It is an experience to explore.
Cultivating stillness may take some practice, but the rewards will be bountiful. Joy isn’t found in the busyness of life. It is found in still moments of being truly present in your life.