“Quiet the mind and the soul will speak.” – Ma Jaya Sati Bhagavati
There is a lot of noise in the world right now. If we aren’t careful or intentional about what and who we let into our lives, we might begin to feel distracted, anxious, or overwhelmed. By making time for silence and stillness each and every day, we better equip ourselves to deal with and handle the pressures of life.
Some of my most profound realizations and ideas come to me while sitting in stillness. I can be chewing on and obsessing over a problem for an entire day (even weeks) to no avail, and the moment I allow myself to become still and go inward, the solution to that problem gradually floats to the surface.
Let’s be real: there is nobody you talk to more each day, than yourself…! It’s natural that our thinking mind can be all consuming. A single thought can jolt us off balance and steal our attention, like a megaphone inside our mind. But by turning down the volume on our thoughts (by being still), we learn to disengage from our thinking mind. Our thoughts no longer rule our inner world. A thought arises, but like the wind, it whispers past and the quiet returns.
As our internal chatter softens, we free our attention and create more inner space. Our thoughts might not stop completely, but over time, we grow the ability to tune into the peace and quiet that always exists within us. And the more peaceful we are, the more quiet our mind is, the more we can go inward. As you practice this more and more, you might start to notice a more calming energy within, increased focus and a more positive sense of wellbeing.
When seeking answers in life, it’s often our instinct to turn to others for guidance. We face a dilemma and so we call on advice from trusted confidants. While it is sensible to seek direction as we navigate questions of love, family, or career, it is our own experience and our own understanding that will show us the way. Each of us has innate wisdom. We just need to connect with it. When we sit in silence, we quiet the chatter of our own thoughts and outside influences. And from the silence and stillness, wisdom has an opportunity to arise. We become more attuned to what is right for us. It is true that guidance can be helpful, but remember that you are your own greatest teacher. As your practice develops, learn to trust your internal source of wisdom.
By learning how to simply sit and observe what comes up, you begin to know yourself. This learning about yourself is a fascinating and blissful business!
Enjoy what comes of today!
