Meditation
Stillness comes to each of us differently. Our desire must be to honor
our inner stillness, when it comes to us. This honoring of stillness
increases with meditation, awareness and practice.
Stillness is found in many places: In churches, in our homes, on the dance floor. Stillness can be found anywhere, even on a keyboard.
Stillness can come to us at any time: In the morning, in the summer, in a conversation or while cooking. Stillness can come to us while we are doing things: Writing, hunting, playing sports, meditating, praying or even making love. Stillness is always with us.
Stillness waits for our awareness of its presence.
Surfers have told me they find stillness waiting for the next wave to
come. Sitting in the vastness of the ocean, it is hard not to feel the
magnitude and power of the sea, something that is much bigger than us.
I have heard hunters tell of the stillness they feel in the woods, of their connections to the animals and the trees, of becoming one with all of their surroundings and that their kill is often a spiritual journey. It is a journey that provides for their family. In Native American tradition, it is recognized as an honorable death.
My father told me of extraordinary things that happened to him in the Vietnam War, of fearlessly profound moments where his life was saved over and over again with no explanation, except that he had obeyed that stillness that resided with him and lead him through the war.
I have witnessed the stillness that comes in an emergency or crisis. Time slows down, people's words and actions become lucid and precise. People collaborate effortlessly reading each other's minds and providing what is needed in an orchestrated divinity to resolve the crisis to the best of their ability. I came upon an accident once and I saw the police and firefighters work in this manner. Stillness, training and humanity working together in unison, to create miracles and save lives.
My best teachers of meditation have been children. Their ability to intuit when and where stillness lies has brought me much joy. For a week, I had been taking the children to meditate under a beautiful tree I had found. On our last day together, the children came to me and to my surprise said "Miss Tonya, this tree is dead. Can we please go to another tree?" I said "Sure," and the children took me to the most beautiful, vibrant tree I have ever seen. The tree overflowed with life and vibrancy. The children became even more joyful, and expressive and we spent the afternoon playing in it.
Where and when do you experience your stillness?
Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46.10
Meditation is a practice. Do not be harsh or
unkind to yourself.
Create a safe and nurturing place for you to take time to be with yourself.
Make yourself comfortable, allow your body to rest, and simply be. Allow
the thoughts and sounds of the room to come in to your thoughts. You
don't have to block anything out, just accept what is in the moment.
Acceptance is the key to meditation. Meditation allows you to trust
being alone with yourself. Build your meditation practice. A person
can meditate for just for a few minutes a day, or your life can be a
meditation. Your choice.
I love giving meditation classes. Call me to make an appointment and
we will create your meditation practice.
In
the silence, our soul is nourished, and God speaks to our hearts.
Carole Hamm
