Harnessing the Power of Stillness
Car horns blaring; airplanes roaring overhead; radios and televisions constantly chattering and snarling; this chaotic cacophony is the soundtrack to the urban landscape we inhabit. It seems impossible to escape the relentless barrage of external stimuli that hum like static just below our perception, demanding our attention whether we are conscious of it or not.
Harnessing the Power of Stillness
Car horns blaring; airplanes roaring overhead; radios and televisions constantly chattering and snarling; this chaotic cacophony is the soundtrack to the urban landscape we inhabit. It seems impossible to escape the relentless barrage of external stimuli that hum like static just below our perception, demanding our attention whether we are conscious of it or not.
Over time this constant stream of stimuli can take a toll on our concentration, centeredness and sanity. We become addicted to the need to fill our space with some kind of sound just to distract from the unrest in our minds. Though the demands of our often-overwhelming commitments can preclude carving out time for calming practices like silent meditation sessions or cleansing yoga classes, all hope is not lost for urbanites seeking a respite from the cacophony.
There is a secret magic out there just under the surface of that seemingly omnipresent soundtrack; a treasure chest waiting to be opened, containing a means of finding islands of tranquility amid the whirlwind of noise. When we listen carefully, there are cracks in the cacophony that offer opportunities to enjoy moments of stillness within our active lives. These silences are often fleeting but their potential for healing is vast.
Finding these islands occurs through a simple process of being present enough in our lives to notice when these special moments manifest. Sometimes we can consciously create them through our own time management but often they occur unexpectedly at times and in places where we least expect them. Acknowledging and indulging in them can act like a nourishing elixir to heal our overtaxed spirits.
By identifying some examples of these magical times, we can train ourselves to notice them within the context of our life experience. One of the most beautiful of these quiet moments is one that is often missed as we seek to recover from the sheer exhaustion that many of us face from working so hard at our busy lives. It is the silence of dawn, a time of day that most of us rarely experience and even fewer of us relish. Waking up just five minutes earlier in the morning, before the neighborhood and family begin to stir offers a profound moment of stillness that is waiting to be encountered. Simply wake up, get out of bed and sit in the living room, out in the garden, or on the edge of the bed, doing nothing but listening. This is a magic time before the day begins when we can experience the inspiring and invigorating energy of limitless potential and possibility. There is no need to do anything but enjoy the quiet for a few minutes and then begin the routine of the day.
The evening affords another opportunity to enjoy a moment of silence. At the end of the day, elect to be the last one to close down the house. As everyone else goes off to bed, take the time to slowly turn of all the lights, check the doors and windows, brush your teeth, and then go back into the living room and sit down for just a moment in the settling quiet of the house. This time is often one of serene release as the energy of the day dissipates and a sense of calm washes over the house and all its inhabitants.
A large percentage of the rest of the day between these two moments is spent in our automobiles commuting from place to place. This time is often filled with cell phone conversations backed by loud music blaring out of the radio. For even just one drive during the day try turning off both the cell phone and the radio. Yes, it sounds frightening. But with all of these external sounds reduced, there is a calming silence available in the car to be found when driving. It can be deeply gratifying to simply drive the car, fully present, moving through the world in this tranquil bubble.
By now, the idea of how this works is beginning to take shape. Another subtle but satisfying silence can be found when sharing a meal with friends. At most social gatherings around food, everyone arrives, chatters a little to catch up, looks at the menus to order, and then talks until the food arrives. But as the food is set on the table, there is a certain sense of anticipation that arrives as well. And following that anticipation, as the first bites of food are taken, there is often a hidden serving of silence as everyone delves into the enjoyment of tasting their food. It is a silence that is filled with pleasure and indulgence that can be as nourishing to the soul as the food presented on the table.
It is even possible to apply this principal to the demands of a busy office life. This is another one of those moments of choosing to manage and alter the environment. Close the door. Turn off the computer. Unplug the phone. Don’t panic, this is only for a few brief minutes. The business empire will not collapse during these few moments of silence. What can be fascinating about this silence is the awareness of all of the office energy continuing on around you that will suddenly take on a distance that can be very centering as stillness develops. Just sit for a few minutes without thinking about a work project or a deadline becoming immersed in the stillness, letting it wash over and provide a healing balm.
Here are a few more places to look for these magical silences as a guide to help the development of personal awareness of these potential quiet zones. Hikes often have silences accompanying them, especially when arriving at a breathtaking scenic vista. Watering the garden can nurture a silence that connects to the energy of growing things and the cycles of creation. Walking the dog or spending quality moments with pets can manifest a companionable silence that is a communion between human and animal.
By trying out just one or two of the suggestions, creation of an awareness that silence does exist in the environment can develop. By becoming more attuned to hearing it, the silence will manifest in many more simple and inspiring ways. The silence is out there waiting to be discovered and as connection to that deep energy occurs, there is a hushed and powerful magic to be experienced.
