When you pause to be still and accept life as it is—the good, the bad, and the ugly—you may notice your body beginning to relax. Simply being open to what’s present in any moment can bring a sense of peace.
Sitting in silence can also help you become more aware of what’s here, often felt as a sensation in your body. You may notice a stillness at the core of your being. Through daily practice, you begin to align with who you truly are by recognizing that this peace, or silence—whatever you choose to call it—remains constant, no matter what’s happening around you.
Silence is golden—free, available anytime, and liberating. Yet, when life gets chaotic, the mind’s noise can make it feel like peace has disappeared. But it hasn’t gone anywhere—check it out for yourself. You don’t need to be an experienced meditator to start. Simply sit still with your eyes closed for ten minutes. Observe your thoughts without attachment; let them pass without judgment. If discomfort arises, allow it to be there without pushing it away or indulging it.
Notice any uncomfortable situations that arise and consciously “welcome” them. Welcome everything. I love the mantra, “I’m going with the flow.” It helps me stop resisting life and remain open to what is. As the saying goes, “What you resist persists; what you embrace, you erase.” It’s also futile to argue with reality.
Encourage yourself to go with the flow of whatever is occurring. Resistance to life’s circumstances often creates unnecessary discomfort and suffering. This doesn’t mean compromising your values or doing things that feel wrong to you. It simply means flowing with what’s being presented, especially in situations beyond your control. Instead of letting these circumstances consume you, accept them as they are. Once you’re grounded in acceptance, you can take action and make any necessary changes without the weight of resistance holding you back.
Setting the intention for quiet time each day helps cultivate inner stillness. Over time, your body relaxes, and others around you may feel the calming effect as well.
Being mindful of what comes and goes in your life, how your body reacts, and what thoughts are arising requires awareness. The more vigilant you are about living from a place of awareness, the fewer thoughts arise, because thoughts have a hard time surviving in conscious awareness. And, leaves little room for mind chatter. You may also notice more space and less mental activity, which brings deeper peace by not resisting anything that would otherwise consume your energy.
Invite a friend to join you in sitting in silence for ten minutes twice a day. When you notice each other resisting life’s challenges, gently remind one another to “welcome” what is. You may even smile at the simplicity of the practice. Welcome it all, and see how life begins to shift.
