Topic this week: Silence Is Golden
We are deludged with noise polution on a daily basis. It's annoying and unhealthy. We need to make a conscious effort to take time each day to simply sit in silence. To rid ourselves of the noise polution.
When I wake-up I enjoy just sitting in the silence for 10-20 minutes. I pay attention to the breath and listen to what the silence has to offer me. It's a healthy thing to do. The early morning is best as the TV is not on, the stereo is not on, the phone is not ringing and the traffic has not yet begun.
I can almost feel the knot that some of you are getting in your stomach just thinking about sitting in silence. Some people are very uncomfortable with silence. I know there are those who feel that if they sit in silence that they will have feelings come to them that they've tried so hard to repress or that they will have thoughts they may not want to listen to. It's a shame that silence is met with such resistence and fears.
Silence can bring us back to our authentic selves and helps us learn so much about ourselves and others. It calms the mind and the spirit and can help keep us in balance (emotionally). It can, in time, help us understand our anxieties and fears so that we can then release them. How centered can we be if all we hear is noise?
There is power and empowerment in silence. You can walk and enjoy silence while you are in nature. While walking pay attention to how the earth feels beneath your feet. Listen to, and enjoy, the sounds of nature (i.e. birds or leaves rustling), while being mindful of the silence that the early mornings offer to us. Those hours before the noises of traffic etc. Early mornings are a precious gift.
You can remind yourself to be mindful of silence (and to be in silence) by listening to a bell, chime, a phone ringing, a horn honking etc.. Just choose a sound that will remind of being silent.
It works once you practice it. And it does take practice.
Silence helps you to stay centered, stay in touch with self/spirit and with your Higher Power. While sitting in silence you can pray, use mantras, or whatever you want to do. Sit on the bed, outside, or in the space you may have for meditating or to just be alone.
Give sitting in silence a try and see how you feel after a couple of weeks or so. Please make a real effort to try this. No excuses!
Think of all the wonderful things you can learn about yourself. It's pretty amazing what a few silent minutes a day can do for us.
GOAL FOR THE WEEK
Sit in silence each day this week.
Journal each experience while you were practicing sitting in silence.
INSPIRATION
The best things to give
your enemy is forgiveness;
to an opponent, tolerance;
to a friend, your heart;
to your child, a good example;
to your father, deference;
to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you;
to yourself, respect;
to all men, charity.
~~Swami Sivananda
My beloved child,
Break your heart no longer.
Each time you judge yourself you break your own heart.
You stop feeling on the love which is the wellspring of your vitality.
The time has come, your time
To live, to celebrate and to see the goodness that you are...
Let no one, no thing, no idea or ideal obstruct you
If one comes, even in the name of "Truth," forgive it for its
unknowing
Do not fight.
Let go.
And breath--into the goodness that you are.
~~ Bapuji~~
TIPS FOR THE WEEK
Put some lavender oil in your bath. Use lavender flowers if you like. Lavender is very relaxing.
Light some scented candles while sitting in silence.
AFFIRMATIONS
I will practice compassion for myself and others.
I am not my anxiety.
I am worthy of all that is good.
I will speak out when necessary.
I am all things positive.
I refuse to accept negative thoughts.
I appreciate all the good things in my life and feel blessed for them.
I want to share something that happened to me this weekend. While walking around my yard and enjoying nature I had noticed purple flowers of some sort in the middle of the largest part of our yard. I assumed it was a wild violet as we have so many of them, but when I had looked at it up close I noticed it was wild lavender. I was so thrilled that I dug it up and transplanted it into a pot I placed in the front of the house. I'm always amazed at the surprises that nature has for us. I have no clue how just that one clump of flowers had gotten there as there are no other lavender plants around. I am so pleased and feel much appreciation for those little flowers I found. As you can probably tell, it doesn't take a lot to make me happy and appreciative.
Until next week I wish for you many precious moments in silence. Enjoy all that nature has to given to you this week. Be safe and be yourself.
Sue
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