The word stillness, or variations thereof, has been used to invoke a change of behavior—“stop that, be still,” “the crowd grows still, unmoving when watching parts of the tennis match or golf tournament”—or when one receives dramatic news and the momentary awe of silence occurs before the display of emotions is released—the pause that is felt when the National Anthem is being played.
Stillness is requisite to absorb the enormity or simplicity of a moment—a moment to stop and see what the significance of the moment means.
Have you ever dived deeper into the meaning of stillness? It’s not just about being quiet. It’s an opportunity to see what lives inside this state of being. A friend recently shared the 23rd Psalm and pointed out that part of the passage, “He leadeth me beside the still waters,” symbolizes great significance and is reflective of the Webster’s Dictionary meaning, describing still as a) Not moving or in motion, b) Free from disturbance, agitation or commotion. 1) To make quiet; silence 2) To allay or calm.
“In the space between your thoughts, there is your truth.” – Reuben Lowe
When silence is present we can actually hear our own thoughts. When we are “free from disturbance” of others’ opinions, ideals or views, we can listen more earnestly to what is speaking to us from within. You always have the answers you need, provided you are shutting out the commotion of all the noise around you. “To thine own self be true” resonates here. When you are honest with yourself, true to what you believe in and value, you will walk your own path by making decisions that support your core beliefs.
“He leadeth me beside the still waters” makes me think of a smooth surface that bids you to dive in with grace and feel the calm effect. The calm center allays fears and creates space for truth to surface. When we let go of agitation and feel the quiet calm emerge, our body eases, discomfort fades and the truth that surfaces is easier to see.
When I have been personally troubled, or in some of my darker moments—moments I couldn’t see through my tears—one practice has always worked for me: to become very quiet and still. I would envision an incredibly bright light shining down on me like many rays of light combined. The power and intensity of this light literally would reach down and pull me up with a gentle strength that literally made anything I was thinking or feeling immediately fade. It felt like nothing else existed but this light of knowledge, power and existence. All my problems were completely insignificant compared to the feeling this light created. That is what exists inside the stillness. Answers, resolutions, confirmations, commitments, freedom.
“Seek out a tree and let it teach you stillness.” — Elkhart Tolle
Stillness can be scary for some. It forces us to look inside and sometimes that can be overwhelming. Many people carry around a lot of unresolved hurts or fears. If they succeed in being still, there is a chance that these will surface. Then they’d have to relive the pain or discomfort, and it can be difficult to face these again. So people busy themselves or use vices to avoid going inside the stillness.
If freedom or happiness are something you seek, it would be good to start with being still. What is it that needs to be emotionally cleaned out or released? Whatever it is, give it a chance to surface. Give pause and sit with these thoughts and choose how you’d rather feel. See them for what they were in your life. Then give them wings and send them on their way. Complication doesn’t exist inside the stillness. Only calm, quiet, controlled peace. And that peace exists inside of you!
“Being still does not mean don’t move. It means, move in Peace.” — Eyen A. Gardner
