How many times when you were a child did you hear your mom say “it’s so noisy in here I can’t hear myself think?” Well, there’s a lot of truth in that old saying. We are so often in busy human-doing mode even if we’re not actually doing that we can’t hear from that deepest place our heart’s desires. It’s thought that a lot of the truly inspiring things that make it into our consciousness come in overtly while we are sleeping or are deposited as we go about our day. Have you ever awakened at night with the most amazing crystal clear idea and you can fully feel it and appreciate it only to have it fizzle out by morning because when you are up and at it you have disengaged from the unconscious and moved back into the human doing mode of consciousness? Or, does this sound familiar “ Oh, I’ll have to remember that?” Inspired thoughts, nudges come to us throughout our busyness, but if life is too noisy we can’t hear the soul speak.
Meditation and mindfulness are buzz words that have become a big part of our vocabulary and they are as such because there is a lot of value in the use of their concepts. However, like all helpful tools, they are options and only work if at least tried and are discovered to be effective in assisting us with our goal. First, be clear about your goal. If your goal is to find your inspiration or seek a deeper understanding of something, or direction in making a big decision, the answer lays just underneath the noise. For some, the idea of a formal practice of getting underneath the noise is enough to keep them stuck. Maybe the thought of having it be a big and formal all revealing process is just enough to overwhelm and so you remain in human-doing mode waiting for someone else to give you your answers. And let’s face it, there are times we all wish someone else could just give us the answers, and maybe we even risk accepting their truth for us over what we feel is right. In reality, you are fully equipped to see into your own inspired path. Now that’s not to say we don’t create, brainstorm, and learn from others as a part of exploring the overall inspirational process, but at some point in time, we have to be the final judge of what’s right for us.
So, back to how do we hear ourselves think? First, I would encourage you to explore what method of bringing presence into the body works for you, one size does not fit all. Mindfulness practices teach us to be more present in the body nurturing a practice of just being which ultimately can engage the entire system for better navigation. A great and very informal place to start with a mindfulness practice is to throw out your agenda yep, just release any expectation of what practice might be, or how it’s done, or why you’re even doing it. Letting go of the rules is the first part of coming out of human-doing mode and moving into a human-being mode. Next, you do have to dedicate at least a few minutes a day, easy peasy in a 24 hour day, right? This is potentially where we can get derailed because remember if we are calling it a practice it does require we show up for it. Finally, the easiest and best part of all is giving yourself permission to do nothing. That’s right, doing nothing for a few still minutes! When you can honor a practice of simply doing nothing and finding a dedicated stillness you can then begin to hear yourself think. A lot of people equate mindfulness to non-thinking, it is rather a practice of non-doing we can’t stop the brain from doing its thing. Insight meditation is a traditional form of practicing mindfulness that teaches us to allow in the thoughts and just sees them as passing through much like a parade or ticker tape and returning back over and over to one of your five senses. That act of trying to stop the thoughts just perpetuates more, so stop trying. Stillness is a great starting place for any mindfulness practice; It gives us the permission and opportunity to just be. The difference in this practice is you're allowing whatever thoughts you have to just flow, more like a river continually fluid. Without attachment just let them flow and you’ll feel the inspired thoughts differently, more from the heart. With practice you become better at discerning ticker tape from ah -ha’s. If there is something you're seeking guidance on, maybe as a part of your practice on that day set the intention before you enter stillness and let it flow.
Giving yourself that intentional few minutes a day as a practice to hear your thoughts will potentially usher in some inspirational gems. Don’t forget to journal or write down anything after that may be discovered especially if it’s something that really inspires you.
In addition to inspiration a daily practice of stillness can be just the right thing to motivate inspired action planning or restoring some much-needed energy drain and stress release, a little goes a long way.
Baby Steps
Try to find a dedicated time each day on a regular basis for your practice. For me, the morning works best. It motivates me with inspired action for starting my day. You can make this your coffee/tea time. The evening can be a great time too and serve as a time for unwinding from your busy day.
Consider finding a spot or location that feels comfy and inviting to you but, don’t fall asleep, you may miss something!
Let go, no devices, or other people, and just be, allow whatever flows to flow or not flow it’s all good. It will start I promise!
Have a journal or notepad and pen handy making sure after to write down anything inspirational that you don’t want to forget. The same is true for when you wake up at night or first thing in the morning with those ah-ha’s, have a notepad and pen handy next to your bed.
Most of all just release expectation, and give yourself permission to be in stillness and allow yourself truly time to hear yourself think!
Yeah, stillness bring it on!!
XO Donna
Mindfully Connected with Donna
