Considering this question, I went back to a spot in the woods where two years ago I first experienced meditation as an exquisite gift. Where I was invited into silence by the many voices/one voice of a creek flowing over stones.
The covered votive I had left two years ago was still there nestled in a hollow tree stump. The same sitting spot was there — long straight trunk of dead tree fallen horizontally caught by flanking brush a few inches off the ground.
But this day, the shallow cree...
Considering this question, I went back to a spot in the woods where two years ago I first experienced meditation as an exquisite gift. Where I was invited into silence by the many voices/one voice of a creek flowing over stones.
The covered votive I had left two years ago was still there nestled in a hollow tree stump. The same sitting spot was there — long straight trunk of dead tree fallen horizontally caught by flanking brush a few inches off the ground.
But this day, the shallow creek was not singing, it was frozen solid. No matter, it was lovely to sit in the peace of the place with eyes closed. I’m not sure how much time had passed when I felt a strong vibration begin at the far end of the tree trunk and then move toward and up through my “sit bones” into the base of my spine! Hmmmm.
I opened my eyes and turned my head slowly to see sitting there quite near a fat, gray squirrel. Not churring, chattering, or tail-flicking as is a squirrel’s way but simply leaning back on its haunches regarding me with calm curiosity. Luminous, dark eyes. Each in our own stillness, gazing at the ‘other’ in a sort of timelessness. Then it leapt to the nearby trunk of a standing tree and climbed skyward.
As I reflect on this, a verse from e.e. cummings comes to mind:
we are so both and oneful
night cannot be so sky
sky cannot be so sunfull
i am through you so i
Thank you, Gratefulness Team, for these questions, helping me think and grow. Thank you to all who share here. Peace, all.
Considering my priorities will allow me to realize that I cannot take care of anyone else without taking care of myself. Like they say on an airplane, put on your own oxygen mask first. If I take time for prayer, meditation, quiet, and peace… then I will be better prepared to help others.
All 3 of my sisters are coming to visit me for a week. We all have very different personalities and have gone in 4 different religious/spiritual directions. Their flight isn’t due to arrive for another couple of hours. It is enough time to pray, to just be in the Silence and to prepare my home for the Silence to be among us, even when we are all talking at once and sharing and it gets hectic during our family get together. May we all be uplifted in Joy and Peace.
Honestly, my schedule has been very hectic, so it has been hard to find time to be silent and alone, but maybe I can begin and end my day with prayer. This can help me to start my day intentionally with full focus on what is mine to do. I set this intention, trusting that such practice will help me grow in my relationship with Spirit and will help me to co-create a better reality for all.
Can you be in your heart and feel it being alive – no matter, what is going on outside? The warmth and love flowing through it?
This are my wishes for You.
Dearly
Silence is a gift I need to learn to cherish. To just be, sit here and enjoy. The world races on either way so we each need a few moments of silence and peace.
Deciding to do it. It can even be when I am doing things, such as washing the dishes, dusting, etc. and just focusing and quieting my mind. I don’t know who the author of this quote is, but I love it-“Silence isn’t empty. It is full of answers”.
Peace to all who visit here.????
The question for me is not so much how, but WILL I make space for silence today? Everything I have read this morning has mentioned the praise that occurs with silence… I think I am getting the message!
Outer silence is beautiful. but my deeper need is for the Silence within. To reach that Inner Silence, I must pass though my inner noise. Not something I can always do, but if all I can do is turn longingly toward the Silence, trusting that it is waiting for me, I will be given a blessing. Often, to my surprise, I will be carried over. Now I’m ready for my day!
Maybe over simplifying, but one must start with intent and follow with action. Which in this case is inaction-in-action. (that’s fun to say quickly). Okay, that’s enough. Shooshing now.
I agree. Step 1 is decide. Instead of turning on the tv or so many other devices, I can choose a walk around the block really seeing the beauty around me. I can choose to sit and meditate. I can do a Sun Salute. Shoosh!
Oh, I think there are many many words used for hush, shush, shoosh, etc. It would be interesting how many in all the different languages represented here!
I will find my gift of silence on my morning walk under the stars before the rest of the world is awake and bustling. It is a great meditation time for me.
It is Barbara – so wonderful. Sometimes I see shooting stars (and make a wish on every one!) and have conversations with owls! And a walk by the light of the full moon is magical.
As a Quaker, and in my tradition we worship in silence. So I do try to find some quiet spaces each and every day. As I write this reflection I am staffing at a retreat with 20 plus children and half again as many adult staff, and I am tucked away in a quiet corner to write this reflection before the roar of the morning begins when children awake!
Thanks Anna, and that it was. Now, back home and the day after, I know it was a good retreat weekend when I’m feeling very tired. I usually try to schedule nothing at all the day following a weekend retreat with young people!
Considering this question, I went back to a spot in the woods where two years ago I first experienced meditation as an exquisite gift. Where I was invited into silence by the many voices/one voice of a creek flowing over stones.
The covered votive I had left two years ago was still there nestled in a hollow tree stump. The same sitting spot was there — long straight trunk of dead tree fallen horizontally caught by flanking brush a few inches off the ground.
But this day, the shallow cree...
Considering this question, I went back to a spot in the woods where two years ago I first experienced meditation as an exquisite gift. Where I was invited into silence by the many voices/one voice of a creek flowing over stones.
The covered votive I had left two years ago was still there nestled in a hollow tree stump. The same sitting spot was there — long straight trunk of dead tree fallen horizontally caught by flanking brush a few inches off the ground.
But this day, the shallow creek was not singing, it was frozen solid. No matter, it was lovely to sit in the peace of the place with eyes closed. I’m not sure how much time had passed when I felt a strong vibration begin at the far end of the tree trunk and then move toward and up through my “sit bones” into the base of my spine! Hmmmm.
I opened my eyes and turned my head slowly to see sitting there quite near a fat, gray squirrel. Not churring, chattering, or tail-flicking as is a squirrel’s way but simply leaning back on its haunches regarding me with calm curiosity. Luminous, dark eyes. Each in our own stillness, gazing at the ‘other’ in a sort of timelessness. Then it leapt to the nearby trunk of a standing tree and climbed skyward.
As I reflect on this, a verse from e.e. cummings comes to mind:
we are so both and oneful
night cannot be so sky
sky cannot be so sunfull
i am through you so i
Thank you, Gratefulness Team, for these questions, helping me think and grow. Thank you to all who share here. Peace, all.
Rich, Grateful Sea. Thank you for generously sharing this moment. The human assemblage point shifts here.
B E
Making it important.
Considering my priorities will allow me to realize that I cannot take care of anyone else without taking care of myself. Like they say on an airplane, put on your own oxygen mask first. If I take time for prayer, meditation, quiet, and peace… then I will be better prepared to help others.
Always Learning, I have been thinking of you. I know you have been having tests and it is a rough time for you. I am praying for you. Bless you.
Thanks. so, so much. Surgery on Tuesday Feb. 6 to figure things out. I am both very anxious and calm… so strange! I APPRECIATE your support!
Always Learning, I too am thinking of you and will keep you in prayer. Love and light surround you! With thankfulness for you, Grateful Sea.
Keeping you in thought and prayer for your surgery on 2/6, Always Learning. Sending you blessings.????
Thanks so much, Sheila! Prayers are wonderful medicine!!!
All 3 of my sisters are coming to visit me for a week. We all have very different personalities and have gone in 4 different religious/spiritual directions. Their flight isn’t due to arrive for another couple of hours. It is enough time to pray, to just be in the Silence and to prepare my home for the Silence to be among us, even when we are all talking at once and sharing and it gets hectic during our family get together. May we all be uplifted in Joy and Peace.
Honestly, my schedule has been very hectic, so it has been hard to find time to be silent and alone, but maybe I can begin and end my day with prayer. This can help me to start my day intentionally with full focus on what is mine to do. I set this intention, trusting that such practice will help me grow in my relationship with Spirit and will help me to co-create a better reality for all.
nondual meditation practice, as facilitated by Mooji.
Durwin, Mooji is wonderful, so inspirational! When I watch him on you-tube I feel so at peace.
Blessings.
Can you be in your heart and feel it being alive – no matter, what is going on outside? The warmth and love flowing through it?
This are my wishes for You.
Dearly
Thank you.
By listening–both outwardly and inwardly.
Silence is a gift I need to learn to cherish. To just be, sit here and enjoy. The world races on either way so we each need a few moments of silence and peace.
Deciding to do it. It can even be when I am doing things, such as washing the dishes, dusting, etc. and just focusing and quieting my mind. I don’t know who the author of this quote is, but I love it-“Silence isn’t empty. It is full of answers”.
Peace to all who visit here.????
The question for me is not so much how, but WILL I make space for silence today? Everything I have read this morning has mentioned the praise that occurs with silence… I think I am getting the message!
Outer silence is beautiful. but my deeper need is for the Silence within. To reach that Inner Silence, I must pass though my inner noise. Not something I can always do, but if all I can do is turn longingly toward the Silence, trusting that it is waiting for me, I will be given a blessing. Often, to my surprise, I will be carried over. Now I’m ready for my day!
I can put down all technology and just sit, watching the flames reflecting off the walls and furniture and just Be.
I can lean back into the great stillness, allowing my mind to skitter and chatter while I ignore the noise and focus on the silence within.
I can intentionally open my heart to silence, asking to hear the still small voice of Divine Love.
Put it down – put all the unnecessary distractions and enticements down.
Step 1: Decide. Step 2: Shoosh.
Maybe over simplifying, but one must start with intent and follow with action. Which in this case is inaction-in-action. (that’s fun to say quickly). Okay, that’s enough. Shooshing now.
Yes, Silence is so simple. It is ‘Shooshing.’ And we can all ‘Shoosh.’ Enough said. I am now ‘shooshing.’
I agree. Step 1 is decide. Instead of turning on the tv or so many other devices, I can choose a walk around the block really seeing the beauty around me. I can choose to sit and meditate. I can do a Sun Salute. Shoosh!
Amor fati
2 seconds ago
I love the word shoosh. Is it different from shush?
Oh, I think there are many many words used for hush, shush, shoosh, etc. It would be interesting how many in all the different languages represented here!
????
Now… I can put down my smartphone and be still in the silent dark morning.
I will find my gift of silence on my morning walk under the stars before the rest of the world is awake and bustling. It is a great meditation time for me.
That sounds like a wonderful way to start the day!
It is Barbara – so wonderful. Sometimes I see shooting stars (and make a wish on every one!) and have conversations with owls! And a walk by the light of the full moon is magical.
Tell me, Nancy, why do i get caught up in so much nonsense when that which you describe is there for us every day?
As a Quaker, and in my tradition we worship in silence. So I do try to find some quiet spaces each and every day. As I write this reflection I am staffing at a retreat with 20 plus children and half again as many adult staff, and I am tucked away in a quiet corner to write this reflection before the roar of the morning begins when children awake!
They are lucky children to have you with them.
…I am lucky to be able to be among them, too. Thanks for your comments, my friend.
So much life in that roar! ????
Hi Aine….indeed! There’s a kind of primal, and at times, holiness to that motion and commotion, if one can listen past the noise to feel it.
Kevin, if I may, I wish you to enjoy this holy roar!
Thanks Anna, and that it was. Now, back home and the day after, I know it was a good retreat weekend when I’m feeling very tired. I usually try to schedule nothing at all the day following a weekend retreat with young people!
I can make time and space for silence today through meditation practice.
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