How Quietude and Stillness Heals: Three Anchors to Stay Grounded

Our world is colorful, alluring, and dynamic, while silence and stillness are viewed as unwanted, something to evade, fill, and change.

Life is often busy and fast-paced; almost every moment is overflowing with noise and movement. And our minds carry the same rapid pace and volume.

For most people, it is all they know. As a result, few people come to know the peace and joy of their inmost being and ultimately fall in love with silence and stillness.

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Without silence and stillness, our quality of life suffers and we experience depression and anxiety.

We lose ourselves in the world and are stuck on “autopilot”, unable to truly connect with life and loved ones.

We rush around feeling like there isn’t enough time in the day, and life passes us by.

So, when we do slow down we feel bored, purposeless, lethargic, and in some cases depressed.

This isn’t because life needs to be in constant movement. On the contrary, humans are addicted to doing and thinking; our minds crave constant stimulation.

So, when we don’t have this stimulation we go through withdrawal and feel depressed. Yet, over-stimulation triggers anxiety.

In truth, it is our addiction to the outer world that creates suffering.

In fact, most people are absorbed in a constant stream of thought, and physically, we may experience tension, heart palpitations, headaches, and low energy.

This causes us to feel restless, depleted, and stressed.

When the day is over, our minds have not let go and we struggle to turn them off and fall asleep, only to repeat this cycle the following day.

However, you can escape this pattern and find your center, even in difficult times.

The deeper meaning of silence and stillness is not the same as being soundless and motionless

Rather, it is a complete connectedness with your inmost being, regardless of your external experience. Therefore, it is available even when you are in the fullness of the world.

Some call it presence, the Tao, consciousness, the now, pure awareness, emptiness, The Supreme Self, God, inner peace, or no-mind.

In the deepest sense, you are not the silence or the noise, but the one who witnesses both.

All these names, including silence and stillness, all point to the same thing: freedom. Namely, the freedom of knowing who you are, your Timeless Self, beyond the superficiality of the world.

When you let go of all that you are not, silence and stillness enter your heart and you fall in love with life itself.

When we experience true silence and stillness, we become liberated from our suffering

While there isn’t anything you need to do, to be who you are, your mind may be so preoccupied in the world that you forget your inherent peace.

Although this peace is ever-present in your heart, you may miss it by identifying with the world around you.

For instance, we are often lost in our thoughts and feelings, and our actions are usually habitual and automatic.

That is to say, we become characters in the play of life, acting on the stage of the world. Thus, we are no longer authentic beings with free will.

Instead, we routinely operate from a place of fear, greed, agitation, and ignorance, unconscious of our own awareness.

In silence and stillness, however, we wash away our pain, delusions, anxiety, and suffering by cleansing ourselves of our outer costumes.

Once we have let go of our false identity, our true nature of love, happiness, wisdom, and peace will bloom effortlessly.

Opening your heart and becoming free

Just as you would fall in love with another human being, it doesn’t take any convincing to fall in love with silence and stillness, you only need to open your heart to it.

Contrary to what many believe, we do not need to carve out time to meditate to access silence and stillness.

At any time, we can enter the kingdom of tranquility.

We can allow our minds to become peaceful instead of aimlessly drifting into thoughts and activities, and never knowing real joy; the joy that is present in every moment.

Practice for daily life

You can anchor yourself in each moment with gentle awareness, even as you move about your day.

Whenever you experience conflict, dissatisfaction, and any sort of psychological pain, this is a calling to remember your inner peace and use your spiritual power.

Additionally, you do not need to wait for a wake-up call, you can do this anytime, when you eat, walk, cook, talk, work, etc.

Be gentle and patient with your practice, you don’t need to force yourself into a state, just let things be.

In due course, you will bring more joy into everything you do; you will become more lucid, calm, and happy.

Now, here are three ways you can become present and grounded in silence and stillness;

Three Powerful Anchors to Stay Grounded:

1.       Breath Awareness

Conscious breathing redirects your attention, connecting you to the present moment.

In other words, it shifts your attention from incessant thinking to your inner silence and stillness, where you are one with all of life.

Every moment our breath is going in and out, yet, many people hardly notice. Right now you can become aware of your in-breath and out-breath.

As you read this, notice how the air moves in through the nostrils and down into the lungs.

Feel your belly rise and fall. Notice the air as it leaves the body and brushes your upper lip.

Furthermore, become aware of the turning points of your breathing as it turns from inhale to exhale.

You can take a few more conscious breaths before reading about the next anchor.

Learn more about Breath Meditation: Sustaining a Fruitful Practice.

2.       Body Awareness

Our bodies are another anchor that is always with us, connecting us to our inner quietude.

Know that your body is not who you are, rather you are aware of it. In time, you will see this for yourself, and this truth will liberate you.

Right now, whether you are holding a phone, sitting in a chair, or have both feet planted on the ground, you can take a moment to be aware of your body.

Then, you can narrow your attention to just your hands.

Notice them; feel them without thinking of them. Observe any sensations that may be present, or if there are no sensations at all.

Perhaps they are tense, warm, cold, sweaty, or tingly; just take note of what you are experiencing and accept it, without judgment.

Allow yourself to be fully aware of your hands for a few more moments before reading on. You may even feel the energy of your body radiating. In the future, you can do this with your entire body or your feet, legs, shoulders, chest, or even just one toe.

Try my Body Scan Guided Meditation for Deep Relaxation to learn more.

You can also download my free printable Body Awareness Worksheet PDF.

3.       Sense Perception Awareness

No matter where we are, conscious awareness of our sense perceptions can anchor us in the present moment.

When eating, taste your food. Be aware of the flavors without labeling them. If you have flowers in your home or garden, smell them! Observe your sense of touch when doing the dishes, washing your face, typing, texting, etc.

Right now, look around and be conscious of your surroundings, what do you see and hear? Is there something that you are aware of now that you weren’t aware of before?

Touch the fabric of your clothing, you don’t need to interpret it or label it as soft or rough, just feel it. If you have some water near you, take a sip, and really taste it.

Again, don’t label, interpret, or judge.

Close your eyes for a moment and notice any sounds, stretch your hearing as far as you can and just become aware of all that you can hear. What enters your field of perception?

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If you are subscribed to this blog, download my Mindful Eating Activity for FREE to help you practice awareness of your sense perceptions.

Conclusion

When you live in the moment, your life becomes beautiful and tranquil

As you go about your day, just be open to falling in love with silence and stillness. Your mind will become peaceful and you will no longer cast your pain into the world.

When you operate from the place within you that is calm and true, you serve the whole world. In fact, in silence and stillness, you heal yourself and help those around you heal by holding the energy of peace.

In a sense, it is our sacred duty to make ourselves happy by decluttering our internal space and removing the barriers in the way of our inner freedom.

Eventually, you will find that this peace walks with you no matter where you are, or how busy you are.

Any inner turmoil you experience will surrender itself and you will fall in love with your silent being. You will feel the whole world slow down to the pace of your very breath.

Unwavering Joy and Undisturbed Peace

This rare gem of quietude is treasured beyond all things in the phenomenal world by those who have uncovered its unparalleled beauty.

For it is only when our masks have fallen and our hearts have opened that love flows endlessly through us.

Falling in love with silence and stillness is the greatest love human existence can offer. It is a love that heals and is eternally present, making all other forms of love possible.

May you be happy and well, and may you experience the joy and bliss of your inner being.

With Endless Love,

Ravelle

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