“Many of us think that happiness is not possible in the
present moment. Most of us believe there are a few more conditions that need to be met before we can be happy. … If we keep running way into the future, we cannot be in touch with the many wonders of life - we cannot be in the present
moment where there is healing, transformation, and joy.”
Be Free Where You Are, Thich Nhat Hanh
I sat in my patio this morning drinking my coffee, eating my breakfast and thinking of my to do list when I suddenly became aware that there was stillness in the air. Normally, I hear birds singing, cars zooming up and down Lynn Road but this morning there was absolutely nothing. Not one bird was singing, not one sound and for a few minutes there was total stillness. For those of us who live in the city know that stillness is a rare occurrence. A few minutes later came the sound of a car, then my neighbor’s young son playing outside. As I listened, each sound was very distinct. It had its own individual space. There was no mixing or blending with other sounds. After a few minutes, a new sound – a truck beeping, it came and it went, then there was stillness again.
I felt the strangeness of this experience and at the same time I felt privileged experiencing stillness in such an organic way. No effort on my part other than being mindful at that moment, noticing the sound(s) around me. Experiencing the stillness calmed me down instantly, my thoughts slowed down, I started to connect to my body and my breath. I felt peace wash over me and a sense of wholeness. My whole being slowed down. My to-do list became clear and more manageable in my mind. I became focused and clear in my intentions for the day. It was an obvious shift from how I started my day to the now quite and peaceful mind and body I was experiencing.
As you go through this week find times of stillness when you are outside or in your home. Stillness in meditation, sitting down with your morning coffee, being out in nature or even when speaking to someone, there is always a space of stillness. Let it come naturally or make it your intention to still your mind, either way notice what happens when there is stillness.
