Today’s gift is Stillness
We live in a noisy world…not just the outer world but our own inner world too. Filled with constant thinking and questioning, concerns and opinions, perceptions and assumptions.
It can be difficult discerning and distilling what’s true and hard to know what to choose, say or do.
So what can we learn from Nature.
When we take time to venture into nature, we can observe the stillness all around. Perhaps the plant rooted in the ground. A kingfisher poised before diving for a fish. Or the rabbit in the undergrowth, ears pricked, listening for predators. Even the grasses swaying in the breeze, return to stillness when the breeze drops.
And we too can return to stillness, turning down the volume on the noise and distractions and finding deeper clarity and wisdom within.
‘Do you have the patience to wait until your mud settles, and the water is clear? Can you remain unmoving until the right action arises by itself?’ Lao Tzu
Today’s Practice
Set an intention to observe and experience stillness in nature.
Take some time to be in nature… maybe a garden, a park or somewhere
at home
Set your devices, distractions and To Do lists aside.
As you sit, or walk, take a few deep comfortable breaths.
Bring your attention to the breath, flowing in, flowing out and allow the
mind to settle.
Take a look around and imagine seeing the world as if for the first time
Become aware of sights, sounds, smells, sensations
Now look a little deeper. Allow you awareness to rest on a plant, a flower, a tree.
Notice how still it is…..even if blown by the wind, notice the quality of stillness within it.
Bring your awareness now to your breath….perhaps becoming aware of that still point within.
What do you notice? What insights arise? What can you learn from nature?
(Original image by Boris Smokrovic via Unsplash.com)
#30giftsfromnature #magicinnature