Two little words that might be able to tell us something about dealing with the onslaught of daily noisiness and overwhelm. Two little words formed from the very same alphabet soup of letters…. silent and listen… a beautiful coincidence or a silent message waiting to be heard?
Life can be a whirlwind of thoughts, emotions, and external noise. We chase solutions, analyze problems, and then we yearn for a sense of peace, while overlooking the simplest answer: silence. But why is silence so hard to find? Perhaps because it hasn’t been woven into the fabric of our education. We’re programmed to seek answers, fix problems, and constantly strive. Yet, within the quietude lies a portal to a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
There’s a natural resistance within many of us to embrace silence. It feels counterintuitive. Surely, the answer to life’s complexities must also be intricate and elusive, right? It can’t be that simple can it?
“Meditation is all about coming alive, right now! In meditation, we invite our attention to come out of the drama and complexity of our lives, out of the already-lived past and the uncertain future, and to return to this precious moment, the only moment there is. It’s about being in contact with life as it happens; with breathing, with the heart beating, with all the sounds and smells and sensations of this unique, unrepeatable, irreplaceable instant of our lives.
Meditation has nothing to do with trying to fix ourselves, change ourselves, attain spiritual states or have special experiences. All kinds of states, experiences, thoughts and feelings may come and go during meditation, of course, but they are not the goal. There is no goal – that’s the beauty of it! Just an invitation to be the space in which all thoughts, all feelings, all urges, even uncomfortable ones, can come and go, arise and fall freely. Meditation has nothing to do with trying to get there, wherever we think there is. It’s all about being here; allowing ourselves to be exactly as we are, curious about the present scene in the movie of our lives.” – Jeff Foster
Embracing meditation as a way of dealing with life is an embrace of simplicity, a surrender to dealing with reality exactly as it is.
So, how do we find this elusive silence? Here are a few guiding mantras for self-reflection:
- Notice the noise: Start by becoming aware of the constant chatter in your mind. Acknowledge it without judgment.
- Take a mindful breath: Focus on your breath, fill the balloon in your belly, and slowly let it deflate. As you soften, allow your body to relax.
- Let go of expectations: There’s no pressure to achieve a specific state during meditation. Simply be present.
- Observe, don’t judge: Thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations will arise. Notice them without judgment, then let them go.
Remember, silence is not about stopping your thoughts. It’s about creating a space where thoughts can exist without controlling you. It’s about finding peace amidst the chaos. Join us on our journey towards a more mindful life, one quiet moment at a time.
– pierre –
Today’s LIVE meditation is: Finding silence.