Be Still and Breathe
"Be Still...
And Know."
It's so easy these days to get lost in a sea of distraction, as everything appears to be speeding up and vying for our constant attention. We can find ourselves swimming in a sea of trivia, concerned about drama's that have nothing to do with us, or addicted to the buzz of social media and the endless, useless information that it generates. Facebook, Tik Tok, and Instagram are all designed to hook us into continually checking out our 'feeds', giving us a hit of dopamine every time we find something that thrills us, and causing us to become addicted (literally) to the brief little 'high' we get every time someone notices us or responds to one of our 'posts'. No wonder people's minds are so sped up and filled with useless information that only brings greater worry, fear and anxiety to their lives. With all of this constant stimulus, it is easy to forget that nothing 'out there' in the world lasts for very long, nor matters all that much.
Luckily, the antidote for all of this confusion and madness lies in the ancient (new) practice of meditation, where we turn our focus from 'out there' too 'in here', and simply rest in the ease of the present moment. One of my favorite instructions for how to meditate is simply this: "Be Still and know That, I Am." In these seven little words, we find the prescription that can alleviate all of the anxiety and worry that plagues our minds, and the key to regaining our sanity in a world gone mad.
The thing is; are you ready to Be Still? Are you willing to come home (right now!) to THIS moment, relax and let go of the addiction to distraction that fills your mind? One thing is for sure; until we are, we will continue to experience unease and unhappiness as the norm, and continue to overlook the brilliance and beauty that is available within us, right Here and Now (after all, where else do we expect to find it?).
If you doubt this, then take a brief moment right Now, close your eyes and allow your body to be perfectly Still. Bring your attention to your next in-breath and relax, and let go on your out-breath. You might also lift your interior gaze up, as if looking out through your forehead into a big, open sky. In as little as three refreshing breaths, this practice alone will be all the proof you need that the joy and peace you're looking for is already at hand, right in THIS moment. Be Still for just a second, and know the YOU beyond your thoughts, desires, dreams and confusion. To maintain this depth, simply Be Still for 10 minutes everyday (or more if you wish). Also, remember to take a few mindful breaths every hour (or more often if you wish) throughout the day. Remind yourself that all there ever is, is Now. Before long, you'll be filled with so much joy and bliss you won't know what to do with it all, and all of those distractions that the mind use to be so addicted to, will float by like clouds in a boundless sky.
