Question of the Day 02-09-18
How do you achieve inner stillness?
Eckhart Tolle says that it is inner stillness that will save and transform the world. Sometimes that seems a stretch. I suppose because there are some people who will never achieve inner stillness, and actually think it’s a ridiculous notion.
I have a few methods to achieve it. The first, and most effective, is meditation. I used to do this every morning for at least 15 minutes. Now I do it more rarely in a formal fashion. But, I am still able to get into that deep meditative state very quickly. Like, when I went for an MRI, after a car accident, I asked for meditation music (they give you choices, and put headphones on you) and then just disappeared until it was over. It did not bother me at all, to be lying in that small tube for an hour. I opened my eyes in the beginning, saw that the top of the tube was inches above my head, and decided I would go somewhere else.
I wish they taught young children to meditate. I think it might have been the Dalai Lama who said if all children were taught to meditate by the time they were 8, this world would be a different place. I saw an article saying that one school had chosen to teach meditation to kids who were supposed to be getting detention. While that’s a great idea, I had to wonder why not teach all kids? Seems like detention might become unnecessary if they did that.
Another way to achieve inner stillness for me is to take a walk, especially by the water. Up north I lived on, then near a lake. Here in Florida, I drive the mile and a half to the ocean to walk. I think that walking is probably just a different way of meditating.
When I can’t sleep, I write, or read, to get my mind to settle down and stop the chatter. Especially at 3 AM. However you achieve it, it’s important to be able to find inner stillness. Sometimes just take a deep breath and say “Thank you.”
So, tell me, how do you achieve inner stillness? I think it would be interesting to hear other people’s methods.
Love and light, everyone.
learningtolivelikewaterblog.com 
I don’t know how I do it, but I found it within, there is a part of me which is forever still, “Let it be”, as the Beatles sang 🙂
Maybe you’re just an old soul Ogden. 😊
Well maybe, bt there’s always balance in a soul, so there’s a little kid in here as well! 😀 Xx
A combination of breathing, muscle relaxation and mindfulness of the present work well for me when I do them. I used to teach meditation in my groups. Now, like you, I don’t formally do it as often, but it’s good stuff. Water is amazing.
Oh breathing, yes! Sometimes a deep breath and closed eyes for 30 seconds works wonders. Especially by the water! We are kindred spirits.
🙂 breaths like the waves…
Easy! Meditation! Weekly, with a group at work. Daily (fingers crossed!) at home on my purple Zafu, with ‘borders’ of driftwood and stones! LOL!