“Stillness is the language of God. Everything else is a poor translation.” – Eckhart Tolle.
Stillness. What does that even mean, and how do you practice when your life feels like you are trekking waves on an unpredictable ocean voyage?
Have you ever felt utterly alone, even surrounded by loved ones? Like you’re clinging to a fragile raft in a raging storm, buffeted by waves, despite the reassuring presence of other vessels nearby? It’s a paradox many of us face – the yearning for connection clashing with the desperate need for solace in solitude.
Imagine yourself on that ocean voyage mentioned.
The waves crash, the wind howls, and your loved ones offer support from their nearby raft. Their encouragement feels like a lifeline, yet a strange emptiness remains. You don’t quite know what you need from them or yourself. These feelings might tempt you to isolate, push everyone away, and face the storm alone. But remember, stillness isn’t about physical isolation. It’s about creating a mental space for introspection. It’s not a place to practice avoiding, hiding, or running away from the issue. It is the opposite. You’re going within to seek answers, searching for the strength and clarity the storm has obscured. It’s a chance to connect with your inner wisdom, the divine voice that can guide you through the roughest seas.
Stillness can be your sanctuary when life feels like an unpredictable ocean voyage. As Wayne Dyer said, “Sometimes you just need to sit quietly and allow things to unfold.”
Sitting in silence can be overwhelming, so see sitting with your emotions and feelings as you opening a dusty old book on a forgotten shelf. Every page is a moment, a memory, or a dream that was once put away. As you read each page with fresh eyes, you rediscover stories you’d forgotten and dreams you’d once set aside. This process can help you understand what you are feeling and experiencing.
When you practice solitude, you can understand your needs and can communicate any unmet needs.
Even when surrounded by loved ones, feeling isolated and alone is possible. Sometimes, those closest to us can’t always understand the specific storm we’re weathering. I recently experienced a health scare that required me to go on a solo journey of stillness. Despite being surrounded by loved ones, I had to retreat emotionally from everyone and everything else to go through my transformation internally.
This is where solitude becomes a powerful tool.
I recently experienced a health scare that required me to embark on a solitary journey of stillness. Although I was surrounded by loved ones, I retreated emotionally from everyone and everything else to undergo my transformation internally. This is where solitude becomes a powerful tool. I listened to and explored my emotions and feelings in the quiet space I created without judgment. Ultimately, I emerged with a heightened awareness of the areas of my life where I normalized putting my core values and needs aside and tolerating behaviors that left me feeling unheard to maintain peace. By acknowledging these feelings, I could communicate my feelings and unmet needs to the relevant parties more effectively. And I didn’t think or worry about the outcome. It was liberating!
If you determine that you must embark on a solo adventure to rediscover your true self, be reminded that stillness is not synonymous with shutting others out. However, some people may perceive it that way. If they cannot understand that you require this time alone to forge more substantial and meaningful connections with yourself, then that is not your problem. Your concern is nurturing your most important connection—the connection with yourself.
You can practice stillness even amidst the storm.
- Start small. Sneak in a few minutes of mindfulness throughout your day. Focus on your breath, feeling your chest rise and fall with each inhale and exhale. Notice any distracting thoughts and gently guide your attention back to your breath. Small, consistent steps can make a significant impact.
- Take a mental inventory of your body. Are you clenching your jaw? Are your shoulders tense? Acknowledge these sensations without judgment and gently relax those muscles.
- If possible, find a quiet spot in nature. The rhythmic sound of waves crashing or leaves rustling can be incredibly calming.
- Leave room for the unexpected! Sometimes, the most profound discoveries happen when you wander off the beaten path.
- Journaling is a powerful tool for self-reflection. Try a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the good things in life, or use it as a space to freely explore your thoughts and emotions.
Take the solo adventure – create space to truly hear yourself – not just the daily chatter in your head but the deeper desires and dreams that often get drowned out by the noise. You might even fall in love with the most wonderful companion you’ll ever meet – yourself.
Share your story in the comments below!
We all have unique stories about self-discovery. What is one unexpected thing you learned about yourself during solitude? Share your experiences and inspire others to embark on their self-discovery journey!
