The Art of Stillness…Take 2

Upon returning from India this past March, 2024 , from a spiritual sojourn at one of the purest pilgrimage spots ever, I welcome you into the thoughts of this pilgrim…

THOUGHT-QUIETING INSIGHTS

In a lovely piece of writing by Pico Iyer entitled: “The Art of Silence”, Iyer offers “thought- quieting” insights:

“In an age of speed, nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing could feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.”

In the now distant days of Covid-19 and the onset of obligatory ‘sheltering in place’, some of us recognized the silver lining of this enormous cloud that covered the world! The silver lining which we felt was that, ironically, being “locked down” opened a new door into a sense of time and spaciousness which little else could.

Many made use of that time in a worthwhile way by caring for the soul. When so much in the outer world was brought to a sudden halt, what remained, which no one and nothing could take away, was the sanctity of the inner world. It was within those quiet hours that were returned to us, that sensible ones found renewal and a reprieve from the escalating calamity that spread its tentacles into every strata of society on every continent of our planet, and which invaded the very fiber of our psyches.

Now that the world has settled back into the “familiar knowns”of constant interaction; now more than ever, our souls need a method of defense from the “thought generated sense of anxiety” which still lurks within and without creating a world of increasing unwellness. Now more than ever, finding and entering the sanctuary of stillness, within, offers an antidote to fear. Now more than ever, it is time to honor “stillness” as a welcomed inner art form to retreat into, far from the infectious airways of mass uncertainty and modern madness.

Long before the advent of Covid, I had created a small sacred sanctuary within my former home which welcomed others to experience a retreat into stillness. I guided on-going groups inward on a spacious lanai, overlooking a musical stream which filled the entire house with its song.

For many years, we, as a group, witnessed, how each one of us, who met, weekly, and sometimes bi-weekly, to focus our attention inwards, was able to discover how to rise above the flux of the body and the turbulence in the mind, with the practice of Raja Yoga Meditation. We each can attest to how much inner joy and contentment and self-respect we found in the stillness that each of us carved into our lives.

Fast forwarding to this present moment of December 18, 2024, I find myself sitting on the very edge of time, as we know it, in a precious little cottage poised amidst the trees and bird song that surround it… to welcome the incoming year in a matter of weeks! While the cottage is perfect for many reasons, most notably that of providing “shelter in the storm” when I most needed it from the dilemma of finding a suitable, affordable dwelling on this magical island!! It is also perfect as a personal sanctuary as I produce a book that can get the word, the methods, and the hope out to millions of how to navigate our inner world in order to recreate what we wish to see and experience in the outer world! In 2025, I anticipate the completion of this book about claiming unlimited freedom through time-honored, sacred methods that still the mind, elevate awareness, and transform consciousness, as we presently experience it. These methods are doable and available to all souls, not only mystics and sages. They can be practiced by any one, at any age, in any walk of life, to assist the soul to return to its natural state of peace, love, bliss and inner contentment. I fully trust the world at present is now ready for such a book which reveals the way back home to ourselves!

I’m enjoying the little cottage as the perfect space for the creation of this book project; however the cottage isn’t large enough to accommodate the joy of inviting others into sacred space as I did formerly. And so now, I seek another miracle to reveal how others can be served in a living sanctuary where I reside and from which I can serve others in the ways of meditation and learnings of inner and outer peace.

Now more than ever, the wise words of those who have gone before, offer hope and trust that these are the times in which to transform and elevate the Human Spirit through knowledge and methods that guide the soul to dip into its own inner pool of peace and love. It is understood that as we do this together, the world around us responds by transforming and elevating into a golden paradise filled with love and goodness.

In the clear words of B.K. Jagdish Chandra, the former scribe of the Brahma Kumari World Spiritual University in Rajasthan, India…and author of many enlightening books on elevating human consciousness from ordinary to divine:

“The main state of mind now in the world is the wandering state of mind.  Thoughts go in many directions and consciousness is fragmented. Stillness is a settled state of mind. Stillness results in concentration which creates the experience of BLISS.  Only when still, can we experience the subtle inner state of bliss.”

And in the former Master Eckhart’s words (1260-1327):

“Nothing in all creation is so like God as stillness.“

              And from: the Upanishads (c.1000 BC):

“Away from the chatter of the senses, from the restless wanderings of the mind, there is a quiet pool of stillness. the wise call this the highest state of being.”

Now more than ever, it is time to share a practice of slowing down thoughts to experience more stillness with friends, family, pets, with nature, and even in the presence of strangers… 

STILLNESS REQUIRES COURAGE 

I look forward to recreating a Living Sanctuary in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, on the beloved island called Kaua’i, the oldest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, to offer the sacred space required to nurture the courage and stillness required to awaken the true life-force of the Soul!!!

If you would like to participate in the founding and support of such a Sanctuary, you are encouraged to respond to this Call of the Time…and learn more about this vision. Thank you, in advance!