COMMUNING WITH GOD A PRACTICE OF STILLNESS AND MEDITATION
What a concept finding stillness from within to Commune with God in the presence of a Global Pandemic. The threat of health, safety, wellbeing and security occupies the minds of each of us at this present moment. This is a first in my lifetime were the things that are creating anxiety inside of me are also creating anxiety inside of every human being on the planet.
The awareness of our connected reality in dealing with the Coronavirus Pandemic also known as Covid-19 makes the world seem small. Even though the disasters created by Covid-19 are still in the process of unfolding the resiliency of the human spirit is apparent and will continue to reveal itself.
While driving in the country on a beautiful sunshine filled day, I saw families outside interacting with each other. The kids where playing volleyball as the parents worked in the yard. Along another country road I slowed down as I approached people on the side of the road with buckets and spears picking up trash. All of this is good. These are glimpses of how the human spirit strives to keep moving forward. This also speaks to how we as human beings are more in balance when we are connected to the environment. We need each other and we must care for the environment.
We are all stepping back from the exhaustion of the pace of life that the world was operating in prior to Covid-19. This is the silver lining of the Pandemic. We are all required to take pause. We must now practice patience as the unseen threat of the virus moves throughout the world. The uncertainty and threat of a potentially deadly illness creates anxiety in each of us. Operating and living life in constant anxiety impacts health and wellbeing. Taking a more proactive stance against anxiety improves our quality of living. There are simple tools that can be incorporated into our activities of daily living to reduce anxiety and bring us back into center with ourselves and what is important.
Stillness and meditation are techniques that when practiced can cultivate mindfulness and expand awareness. There are health benefits to implementing a practice of self-care that includes stillness and meditation. These benefits contribute to a reduction in high blood pressure, improved quality of sleep, and an enhancement in our capacity to focus. As a tool the practice of stillness and meditation quiets the mind. When our mind is quiet, we can hear the answers to the questions that we have given to God in prayer.
My personal journey with a practice of stillness and meditation began in 2001. The struggles in my life at that time included an unhappy marriage that brought on depression. My marriage of thirteen years was unraveling. I felt devastated, abandoned, and alone. I had a need to find an outlet or resource to help me move through all the emotions that were consuming my every waking moment.
A friend of mine invited me to a Yoga class. I had no knowledge of what to expect from the experience. The Yoga class took place out in the Hill Country region of Central Texas. The octagon shaped studio had a Zen vibe with statues and flowing water surrounded by beautiful trees. The instructor began the class with a breathing exercise to bring each of us into our bodies and into the space. We moved like a choreographed dance through various stretches that opened channels of energy unlocking holding places from deep within our physical body. The end of the Yoga class was marked by guided meditation called “Shavasana (sha-va-sa-na).” I recall how peaceful this part of the Yoga class was and how it centered my mind body and spirit into the present moment. From that moment until now I have incorporated Yoga into my activities of daily living. This consistent routine of self-care has been part of my story for 19 years now. The value of a Yoga practice has given me the tools through stillness and meditation to live my life in practice of mindfulness. I attribute my good health to many things including Yoga and a daily ritual of stillness and meditation. For this I am grateful.
A simple beginner technique is to engage in stillness and meditation before getting out of bed in the morning. Lay on your back with your right hand over your heart and your left hand just below. Focus on your breathing. All sorts of thoughts will come into your mind while trying to focus on your breath. The key is to not judge yourself. Just notice your thoughts but, don’t feed them your attention. Return your awareness to your breath. Commit to a 5-10-minute practice each day. Through implementing this simple ritual into your day, you will soon find that connecting to your breath creates a stillness in your mind and adds clarity to your ability to focus.
During your process be mindful not too criticize yourself. It is important to use compassion for yourself as well as with others. Each morning begins your day with this custom and develop a ritual of connecting to your breath before you get out of bed. Be patient with yourself. Training your mind and body in a process of stillness takes time. In time this ritual of self-revitalization will become easier and natural.
Use this time of social distancing and isolation to learn and implement tools of self-care that are life- changing. With the implementation of a stillness and meditation habit we are better equipped to reduce anxiety. Therefore, be proactive in choosing a personal pathway for going forward into the future that includes a practice of stillness and meditation. These personal wellness rituals equip us with the tools to be still. For if we are not able to enter a place of stillness in our mind, we are not able to hear the answers to our questions and prayers as we Commune with God.
~ Elvie Schooley
Misty Powell is our featured Yoga and Meditation specialist. Misty provides Live streaming guided Yoga and Meditation classes on Facebook @MistyPowell and Instagram @wholistichealingarts. For more information about Misty’s unique approach to Yoga visit www.mistypowell.com.
