My Joy Diet book arrived two days ago giving me little time to read it, let alone practice the stillness techniques. And I will confess here and now that I'm relieved. I totally resist stillness.
Muting my outer world and allowing my inner sphere to come into focus is something I've always found disconcerting. I'm most comfortable when engaged in the energetics of movement, action, and git 'er doneness. I'm strongly Pitta that way. Being still feels like losing valuable time that I could be "getting something productive done" even though my higher self recognizes the value of a regular meditation practice. But there's my lower self happily running along, chirping about the need to be still and the ever elusive "someday" when I'll really really do it.
Interestingly, I have had unexpected moments of inner stillness in the quiet of my darkened massage room when my hands rhythmically work my client's tissue. I suddenly become in a trance-like state and notice I'm deeply still inside. I've often considered massage "meditation in motion".
I'd like to end this post with a declaration that I will practice 15 minutes of stillness daily during our Joy Diet adventure. But that wouldn't be honest.
For today I am willing to acknowledge the awareness of my resistance to stillness.
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12 comments:
I love that you find doing massage as "meditation in motion". You are clearly aware of "who" you are and that you have 2 sides...you know what you would like to do but you also recognize the person that you and how you function.
Martha talks about repetitive motion as part of the 15 minutes of nothing, so if you find yourself entering that trance like state when doing a massage, I would say that you are clearly well on your way to mastering 15 minutes of nothing each day!
You know, what I find so amazing is that you feel this way about stillness, and all day long you work with your clients and bring out the stillness and peace trapped in them.
Hmm, something to think about perhaps?
Oh, and my verification word for this comment? Gem muse....
I went to the bookstore and they did not have the Joy Diet in yet so I ordered a copy. It should be here next week, so I'll have to catch up. Until then I can practice 15 minutes of stillness each day.
I love what you describe as "meditation in motion" - that feels like the best of both worlds, the satisfaction of moving/doing and the peace of mediation.
I still struggle with finding stillness - mostly because I choose business over stillness. Your post reminds me of the good that comes with stillness....
This weekend, I will be still! thank you!
first of all, i love your take on nothing :) secondly, i am starting massage therapy classes next tuesday and i found your blog absolutely amazing. i look forward to connecting with you through the truth :)
I find that meditative state when I am working on a creative project, I can relate how you find more peace in action than non action stillness. Thanks for sharing.
Fabulous Post! I call my yoga practice, meditation in action! I love the way the repetitive motion brings me into inner stillness. I too resistmeditation, but am so desperately in need of the still quiet mind. I practice TM but have found a cd that really helps me cync down fast.. Dr. Jeffrey Thompson's Awakened Mind System has alpha or beta waves imbeded in the lovely music. I wear headphones, focus on music and it pulls me down down into deep relaxation response quickly. I emerge 20 minutes later feeling refreshed...I'd highly recommend it for those struggling to meditate. Husband ordered mine online...
I have a hard time turning off my ping-pong brain, which is a different thing from physical stillness.
Many practices are considered "meditation in motion." Martha acknowledges in the chapter that some people may need to do Nothing while moving. That said, I agree with MagnificentDebra about Jeffrey Thompson's CDs. I have several of them and they really help me; the Alpha Meditation System is my favorite.
Hello Liz,
I like your picture of the still night.
I too feel resistance when I need to go and sit quietly for a while, even though I know there are benefits to it.
Thanks for visiting, Angie:)
I feel your pain, well kind of pain I guess. I love meditation ,but that is only when I actually do it and when i can sit still enough to do it. It's when i'm in the middle of it and finished with it that I say 'ah, yes, I can do this everyday' and feel great about it. But then the next day comes and the day after that and then a week goes by then 2 weeks and I begin to feel guilty that I haven't given myself just 15 min. to sit still.
What an honest look at the resistance many of us felt toward beginning a daily practice of nothingness. I think it's wonderful that you have found a way to find active nothing...
Oh that's very interesting. Actually I'm the same, just can't switch off that damn brain...always need to be thinking, doing, plotting, planning....
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