Stillness is a tool.
It's a companion to meditation.
Somehow it helps open the door.
Being still helps us to get out of the way.
By becoming still in body and in mind,
We become more present and open.
There are a variety of ways to practice stillness.
Let's do a few of those now.
First of all,
With your eyes open,
Search the room for an object that catches your eye.
Focus on that object.
Notice its stillness.
Do you feel it in your own body?
If you can,
Be aware of where that feeling is and what it feels like.
Continue to focus on the object.
See how it just is.
It's not trying to do anything.
It's not trying to go anywhere.
And yet somehow,
It just serves you by just being still and by just being present.
Let's move on and do a quick body scan.
And invite the parts of our body to be still.
I like to begin,
For some reason,
With my feet.
So let's start there.
Notice your feet.
Wiggle your toes if you want.
And then relax.
Move up to your ankles and your lower leg.
Let go of any tension that you might feel.
Now your knees and your thighs.
Say to them,
Be still.
Move up to your pelvic area.
And let go of any tension that you might feel.
Now your torso,
Including your back.
Be relaxed.
Be still.
Loosen your shoulders and let them drop if they are hunched up and tight.
Now move through your arms,
Your upper arms,
Your lower arms,
And your hands.
Let your hands be soft and still.
Moving up to your neck.
Your neck can be straight,
But relaxed.
I actually find it helps to lift your neck and then let it come back down and relax.
Loosen your jaw muscles.
Relax your brow.
Now if you want,
Do a quick scan of your entire body and just say,
Be still.
If you're being carried away by thought or judgment,
Or you want to be somewhere else,
That's okay.
Say to your mind,
Say to your judgment,
Say to your desire to get away,
Be still.
Let's close,
If you will,
With a verse of scripture.
It's found in the Psalms,
And it says,
Be still and know that I am God.
Be still and know.
Be still.
Be.
Throughout your day,
I want to invite you to return to stillness.
If you start to feel tense or obsessed with thought,
Simply take a deep breath in and say to your mind or to your body,
Be still.
