Stillness can be defined as the absence of movement and sound. But does such a place exist? In a world full of chaos and a mind constantly whirling, finding such a realm is no easy task. The globe, and the mind, will continue to turn, because that is their job. But if you want more ease and joy in your life, it is your job to find a still, quiet place in the centre of that ever-moving, constantly changing landscape. Yogic practices don't make the stormy world, or your thoughts, go away. Rather they lead us to connect with our centre, the eye of the storm. Finding that refuge deep inside you and feeling it regularly allows you to access a part of yourself that cannot be battered by the cyclone outside. As we identify more with this hub as our home, rather than identifying with the external world, we become more skilful at dealing with the inevitable challenges we face.
The power of a pause
"It all comes through learning to pause for a moment, learning not to just impulsively do the same thing again and again. It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately filling up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as well as fundamental spaciousness.
"The result is that we cease to cause harm. We begin to know ourselves thoroughly and to respect ourselves." - Pema Chödrön
Fundamental restlessness
If you've ever tried to sit and close your eyes for a moment to meditate, or just take a break, you may have felt that fundamental restlessness Chödrön is talking about.
This story is from the Issue 208 edition of WellBeing.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 208 edition of WellBeing.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
YOGA FOR IMPERFECTION
Life is messy and we all make mistakes, but by embracing imperfection, we can begin to accept all parts of ourselves.
Creating the foundations of ritualist self-care
As a busy mum of a three-year-old and expecting another baby, finding time for self-care often feels like a luxury.
Are you doom spending?
If \"doom spending\" has become your go-to for coping with stress, you could be making withdrawals from not just your bank account, but your health too.
THE POWER OF music
Most of us enjoy music. But science shows music is central to being human and its effect on us is far more astonishing and impactful than we realise. Music is fundamental to life.
SYNTHETIC FOODS
Synthetic, or genetically modified, fake meats and the like attempt to mimic real meat in both looks, taste and texture. But how much do we really know about the production process and how do they affect the environment and our bodies?
Embracing the power of nature
Menopause is more than just a biological change, it represents a significant life stage that can present numerous challenges - from hot flushes and mood swings to fatigue and sleepless nights.
Jan Fran
From a young age, Jan Fran's deep curiosity and keen interest in social issues sparked her journey into the world of journalism. As an accomplished journalist, media commentator and broadcaster, Fran's passion for storytelling has always been driven by a desire to explore, question and shed light on the world around her.
Helping teen girls thrive
Statistics reveal that many more teen girls are struggling with mental health issues. What's going on with them? More importantly, what can we do to help them flourish?
Your ageing eyes
Your eyes work hard for you every waking minute. It is no surprise that how your eyes age will be determined by how you protect them. Eating the right foods can go along way towards ensuring that your eyes stay healthy for a lifetime.
The bottom line
During the Couid pandemic, we were shocked to see people fighting in supermarkets over toilet paper and to see empty shelves that had once held roll after roll. The reasons behind the run for toilet paper during this time reflect the unique place that it holds in our psyche and are deeply rooted in our history.