Today has been a quiet one, as I am working my way through a bout of bronchitis and am feeling particularly tired and achy. Whenever illness strikes and I take a quiet day like this, I inevitably feel guilty or anxious at some point. I feel as though I should be ‘doing something’, being productive, contributing to the world around me. When these thoughts and feelings arise, I try to remind myself that by taking this time to rest, to heal, to nourish my body so that I may become healthy again, I am practicing Metta, lovingkindness, and this is in itself a contribution to the world. If we do not care for ourselves, we will not have the strength to engage with the world in a mindful and compassionate way. When we take the time to stop, to listen to the needs of our own mind and body, and to respond with lovingkindness and compassion, we strengthen our inner resources and we build the capacity to respond in a similarly kind and loving way to the needs of those around us.
Illness and injury can force us to stop and take stock, but we need not wait to become sick or hurt to reflect within. Our mindfulness practices give us that opportunity every day, and it is particularly powerful when we allow ourselves to find stillness. Stillness has the power to heal, to nourish, to calm, to enlighten. It invites us to look with new eyes upon ourselves and the world, to open ourselves to new ideas and possibilities. Pico Iyer said it beautifully: “In an age of speed, I began to think nothing could be more invigorating than going slow. In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still.”
For more of Pico Iyer’s insight on the art of stillness, I invite you to enjoy his TED Talk.