Reflections on Stillness

I woke up early to take a trail run in Sequoia National Park. The pines and Sequoias, gigantic granite boulders, and stream crossings were beautiful, but the meadow was absolutely captivating with its large expanse of wildflowers, fallen tree stumps, and stillness. When I stopped in the meadow, I could hear my heart beating from my run, then settling down in this quiet place.

I sat and rested under a large Jeffrey pine and marveled at its large pinecones. I sat there for perhaps 20 minutes, but the rest and rejuvenation it gave me, lasted for much longer.

I often think of this experience and others like it—when time stands still, and the world softens. Somehow when we enter a silent space, the air seems crisper and the landscape brighter—all our troubles lose their relevance and gratitude awakens. 

During these challenging times, it is important for us to cultivate stillness. When I am stressed or worried, it sometimes makes me feel overwhelmed and tired—my decision making suffers and I feel disconnected from my feelings and the people around me. 

What I have found is that when I stop and center myself, I gain clarity about what needs to be done and I am able to see what is truly important. 

The fact is that I am important and that you are important—and we need to treat ourselves as such. Chinese medicine is all about finding balance; when we're thirsty, we drink. When we’re cold, we put on another layer of clothing. And when we’re tense and stressed, we need to unwind and soften.

What is important to you? Are you taking proper care of yourself? Could you make time every day to be alone with yourself in stillness?

You might want to try taking a meditative walk around the block while focusing on the flowers around you, the cracks in the sidewalk, and the sounds that you hear. The observations will bring your attention into focus and help you participate fully in the moment, and the next moment, and the next—and this practice can help bring you stillness. 

Or, find a quiet place to meditate and breathe slowly for a few minutes to help you connect with your center. Take a breath and enjoy it fully.

Or sit quietly and listen to some soft music for a few minutes and pay attention to listening. Any method that works for you to help you find stillness is fine.

It’s really beautiful to get in touch with silence and stillness; it will help you connect to knowing what you need to do and reconnect you with feeling good.