Silence Is Golden

 “Be still.  Stillness reveals the secrets of eternity. 
When there is silence one finds the anchor of the universe within oneself” 
― Lao Tzu

 "Be still and know that I am God."
― Proverbs 46:10 

There were fifteen of us gathered to Sit Together in Stillness at the Recovery Learning Community's Greenfield Center that night.  The Silence was Golden.  As I rang the bell to end our first period of meditation, bowed and looked around the room, I knew that I wasn't alone in feeling the Presence.  The energy was palpable. As one person mentioned as we went around the Circle to compare notes on Practice, "you could hear the silence!" Others nodded. Everyone knew exactly what she meant.

I love it when that happens.

When we share that Silent Presence, our Oneness in the One Love becomes less theoretical.

Immersed as we are in a patently materialistic society, a milieu that fosters greed, speed, fear and frustration, we have been conditioned to experience our world through mental and emotional states that manifest a lot of noise and motion.  Bombarded with stimulation and stress, our minds habitually filled with incessant chatter, most of us have spent untold hours being constantly distracted and disconnected from our True Nature.  

Coming to rest in the clear, open and spacious quality of consciousness that emerges as we Sit in Stillness is a precious experience.  Unfortunately,  it's all to rare in the most powerful nation on earth.  That has enormous consequences -- and not only for our individual happiness.  A glance at the evening's news makes it obvious: the future of our planet hangs on it.  More of us need to get our act together.  

Thich Nhat Hanh and thousands Sit in Silence, London, 2012

Thankfully, this does seem to be happening. What we experienced in that room yesterday is happening more and more around the world. And as more of us turn toward the Practice (in whatever form it takes), as more of us take the time to Sit Still and rest in the embrace of the Silence, we just might be able to manifest the type of kindness, compassion and wisdom that is needed to save this ole suffering world.

It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it, right?  
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HEY YOU LOCALS! BE STILL THIS SUNDAY!
(UPDATE: APRIL 10 IS THIS MONTH'S DAY OF MINDFULNESS)

I'm looking forward to this Sunday's day-long opportunity to settle in and Be Still.  In my experience an extended period of formal Practice can be quite worthwhile. I hope you'll join us.  The event is free.  Donations to Community Yoga and Wellness Center are appreciated.

After an Introductory Circle at 9 AM, the morning will consist of alternating periods of sitting (20 minutes) and walking meditation (10 minutes) until a Mid-day Circle that will end about Noon.  Full day participants will have a lunch break from Noon until 1 PM.  Please bring a lunch to eat in silence or plan to dine out during that time. If you are planning to attend for only a half day in the afternoon, please arrive in time for an Opening Intro Circle at 12:30 PM.  The rest of the afternoon will consist of alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation before a Closing Circle.

If you have any questions or want to RSVP to let me know your intentions for the day,  I'll be available at thishazymoon@gmail.com or (847) 502 6204 (phone or text).

One Love,

Lance