It's taken me a long time to fathom the meaning of stillness and how it can be helpful to me. And when there is excess vata dosha, stillness is a particularly challenging concept!
Finding stillness When I first began to meditate, I felt anxious. It was hard for me to sit still without fidgeting. I felt anxious because I had become accustomed to operating in "do-er" overdrive. This felt normal to me, it had been this way for a conservable period of time. I had endless things on the go that would regularly cause stress and overwhelm amongst other things. I never had enough time and being still didn't feel “safe”. I swung from highs to lows in my energy and mood. Yes vata dosha was sky rocket high! I couldn't understand why being "still" was helpful when there was so much to do!
Getting closer to stillness With the helpful guidance a teacher, I was inspired to practice meditation each day. I started with a minimum of 5 minutes. From there I began to feel how daily "stillness" was becoming a helpful tool in the way I approached my day. I started to feel more calm and clear. All the activity and flurry of things that I was busy doing gradually became more sustainable bit by bit. As I practiced daily pauses, I began to see the real things that needed attention vs the things I could let go of.
My experience Life is always changing. There is always activity. And when I allow stillness to be the baseline I return to after activity, things feel more in manageable flow (as opposed to a wild tsunami).
My practice today I do this through a daily practice that includes brining in mini, bite size pauses. This pauses are excellent ways to find a still point in the flurry of my day. For example, after closing a zoom session with one of my clients for an Ayurvedic consultation/ Ayurvedic Health Counselling session or yoga session I sit, close my eyes and take 6-12 breaths. I then let everything come to rest. Just for 30 seconds. Or maybe more. It's like child's pose (balasana) in-between slow flowing sequences. By collecting pockets of stillness like this you can move back out in to activity with more energy and focus.
You know how I love to share mini practices and ritual with you;).
Well... Practice this stillness ritual: After a conversation on the phone; coming home from work or being outside. Sit or stand, close your eyes and take 12 breaths, finding a moment of pause at the top of the inhale and at the bottom of the exhale. Be still for a few minutes. Imagine putting down all that you are carrying (in body and mind). Let stillness filter in to your body, mind and in to the space around you.
It’s short and very effective. It can help transform how you approach the next “to do” in front of you.
