Often,
When we hear the word stillness,
We think it means being quiet or not moving.
The teachings invite us to something deeper,
Something inner.
A mind and a heart.
That are not constantly agitated or pulled around.
This type of stillness is not reserved for retreats or meditation halls.
It can be available in every moment while breathing,
Walking,
Listening,
Or simply being with another.
It's like a lake.
When the lake is disturbed,
We cannot see clearly.
When the water becomes calm,
It reflects the scenery,
The sky,
The mountains,
Everything around it,
Just as it is.
Our mind can be the same way.
The teachings pointed to this simplicity.
Peace comes from within.
Do not seek it without.
Stillness is not about forcing the mind to be quiet.
It's about coming home to this moment.
Allowing the waters of the mind to naturally settle.
We'll explore listening inwardly.
Allowing the mind to settle and remembering that stillness is already present.
Beginning by simply arriving,
Feeling your body sitting,
Feet supported,
Seat supported.
Hands relaxed.
Nothing to do.
Arriving.
The eyes can close or gently be cast down.
Take a long breath in.
And an easy breath out.
And then another.
And let the body soften.
So often we are doing.
Planning,
Fixing,
Solving,
Responding.
Let's explore something different in these moments,
A place of being.
Allow the breath to be natural.
A gentle rhythm without having to control anything.
And then start to simply listen.
Inwardly and outwardly.
Perhaps to the breath.
Sounds in the room,
Outside the room.
Let the mind rest in listening.
Like a butterfly rests on a flower.
Placing your attention softly on one sound.
Allowing the mind to gather there.
And then gently moving to another sound and simply listening.
Thich Nhat Hanh offered us an image.
When the mind is calm.
He said it was like a still lake reflecting the sky.
When the water became disturbed,
The reflection became distorted.
When the water returned to stillness,
Everything was reflected clearly again.
Allowing the lake of the mind to settle.
No need to consciously push away the thoughts or feelings.
Letting them pass like ripples on the surface.
And slowly.
The lake becomes calmer.
As does the mind and the heart.
Within this very body is the path to awakening.
Stillness is not something that we have to create.
Perhaps it is something we rediscover.
You have the capacity for this quiet presence,
Even if the thoughts are moving,
Even if the emotions are present.
Underneath it all is a natural stillness.
Breath in.
And a breath out.
And another.
That's the breath quiet,
Sensing into it now.
The simple presence of being.
Simply sitting and breathing.
Breathing and being.
Stillness does not require that we stop moving.
Can bring stillness into walking.
Eating,
Speaking,
Working.
Anytime we give something our full awareness stillness travels with us.
Breathing in.
Be still.
Breathing out,
Be still.
Allow your mind and your body and your heart to rest in this place of stillness.
And as we gently close this practice,
Feeling your body sitting here.
Feeling your breath.
Perhaps moving fingers and toes.
Gently blinking the eyes open,
And as you gaze around,
Noticing that stillness does not disappear when the meditation ends.
Thank you for your practice.
