Stillness
I’ve recently spoken to many people who have said to me - “I think too much,” or “I can’t get out of my own head.”
This is pretty common. Thinking isn’t the problem, but the struggle comes when we’re constantly spinning stories in our heads and getting caught up in them.
Our minds jump from one thing to another, seeking distraction or avoiding difficulty. We can’t focus, we can’t be present in the moment, and we feel the need to be constantly busy.
The answer, I’ve found, is finding stillness.
Our mental processes — jumping around and distraction and being caught up in stories — don’t have to cause anxiety, actually. They’re not only common, I think it’s the normal human condition. If this is how our minds are most of the time, then feeling afflicted by this condition is probably going to cause us constant anxiety.
A Moment of Stillness
Take a minute out of your busy day and try to do the following:
Sit still and look away from all devices and other activities. Just sit there, maybe with your eyes closes, maybe looking at nature or a wall.
Take a moment to assess your condition. How do you feel? Are you tired, anxious, frustrated, calm, happy? What state is your mind in?
Assess how you’ve been behaving recently (today, or just in the last hour) … have you been constantly distracted? In a state of busyness? Focused? Procrastinating? Anxious or fearful? Irritated? Feeling down?
Stay with these feelings for a moment, just being curious and non-judgmental about them.
Face each of the feelings you’re noticing, and notice the mental pattern that caused it. If you’re frustrated, are you stuck in a resentful story about someone else or your current situation? If you’re anxious, is there some desired outcome that you’re holding tightly to? If you’re feeling down, are you comparing your situation with some ideal that you don’t have?
Bring your attention to your body. How does it feel? What sensations can you notice in your head, neck, arms, hands, torso, hips, butt, legs, feet?
Can you find gratitude in this moment? Can you find love or compassion, for yourself or others?
Many years ago during a particularly intense period of asana practice I asked one of my teachers what he thought I needed to work on. I expected to receive another list of advanced postures, but he said, “You need to learn how to be simple, how to be OK with less is more.”
This was not the answer I had hoped for! I could certainly work my way through an exhausting regimen of postures, but could I be still for ten minutes?
Yoga has taught me so much, one of which is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who you are.
The practice of yoga is the practice of meditation - or inner listening - in the poses and meditations, as well as all day long. It's a matter of listening inwardly for guidance all the time, and then daring enough and trusting enough to do as you are prompted to do... I love this about it.
Finally yoga is a discipline at its heart. Many days you won't feel like doing it, you would rather walk the dog or go for a coffee with a friend, but once on your mat, moving your body, the reward is huge.
So my fellow yogis - continue on the journey, your mind and body are thanking you daily, and quite honestly we are happier, nicer people when we have a practice and a discipline.
On that note if you still don't have a practice please don't dismiss the 21 day Course. It is self lead, it will get you into a rhythm of daily practice.
Or the membership site.
Namaste Yogis
Amber