Day Fourteen: Embrace Stillness
Most of us are busy all the time. It seems we always have something to do (usually multiple things) and rarely have time to slow down and be still. In fact, most of us probably can’t be still even when we have the time. Our minds wander, we get antsy, and we end up diving into the next item on our to-do list. We rarely live in the moment, thinking about things we did in the past, or worrying about what could happen in the future.
Being still is a practice in mindfulness that allows us to remain in the present moment, gain clarity, move from a state of “doing” to a state of “being”, find a deeper awareness, personal insight, and higher connection. When we practice mindfulness, and are able to live in the present moment, we are embracing the very essence of nature. Nature never worries about the past or what might happen in the future, it remains in the present moment at all times.
Meditation: Listen to this meditation- Gateway to Presence by Tara Brach
Activity: Today we are going to use the power of the wild to bring us back to the present moment and find stillness.
Find a place in nature where you can sit and be comfortable. Maybe bring a cushion or blanket to sit on. Once you find a comfortable position, take a few deep cleansing breaths and start to tune into everything around you. Feel the air on your skin and face, listen to the sound it makes as it rustles the leaves above your head. Watch the grass move in brilliant formation as the air pushes it against the ground. Listen to the birds sing to each other from the tops of the trees and watch them fly from branch to branch looking for their next meal. Feel the warmth from the sun shining down on your face and look at how it highlights the petals on the flowers around you. If your mind wanders and thoughts come in, watch them float away on the clouds above you and come back to the present moment. If you become antsy, reposition yourself so you are comfortable again and find your focus on the wild around you. Practice this for as long as you can, but at least 30 minutes.
Write in your journal the following:
Share: Share one thing you learned about yourself while being still the wild and share it in the Facebook group.
Affirmation: Recite the following affirmation out loud: “I am in the present moment and can find stillness through nature.”
Go back to:
Introduction
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
Day Eight
Day Nine
Day Ten
Day Eleven
Day Twelve
Day Thirteen
Being still is a practice in mindfulness that allows us to remain in the present moment, gain clarity, move from a state of “doing” to a state of “being”, find a deeper awareness, personal insight, and higher connection. When we practice mindfulness, and are able to live in the present moment, we are embracing the very essence of nature. Nature never worries about the past or what might happen in the future, it remains in the present moment at all times.
Meditation: Listen to this meditation- Gateway to Presence by Tara Brach
Activity: Today we are going to use the power of the wild to bring us back to the present moment and find stillness.
Find a place in nature where you can sit and be comfortable. Maybe bring a cushion or blanket to sit on. Once you find a comfortable position, take a few deep cleansing breaths and start to tune into everything around you. Feel the air on your skin and face, listen to the sound it makes as it rustles the leaves above your head. Watch the grass move in brilliant formation as the air pushes it against the ground. Listen to the birds sing to each other from the tops of the trees and watch them fly from branch to branch looking for their next meal. Feel the warmth from the sun shining down on your face and look at how it highlights the petals on the flowers around you. If your mind wanders and thoughts come in, watch them float away on the clouds above you and come back to the present moment. If you become antsy, reposition yourself so you are comfortable again and find your focus on the wild around you. Practice this for as long as you can, but at least 30 minutes.
Write in your journal the following:
- What did you feel while being still? Was the sun warm on your face? Did you feel a breeze on your body?
- What did you hear while being still? We’re there birds singing? Did you hear leaves rustling on the trees?
- What did you learn about the wild through this activity? Did you also learn the same thing about yourself?
Share: Share one thing you learned about yourself while being still the wild and share it in the Facebook group.
Affirmation: Recite the following affirmation out loud: “I am in the present moment and can find stillness through nature.”
Go back to:
Introduction
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Day Six
Day Seven
Day Eight
Day Nine
Day Ten
Day Eleven
Day Twelve
Day Thirteen