I need to learn to meditate! My mind races around like static. One thought bounces into another and pushes it out of the way. Is that why I’m getting forgetful? Often, there’s a load of rubbish or dirty washing going around – on the repeat cycle.
I believe this is a common problem; it’s just about universal. But some people achieve the stillness and peace that comes with successful meditating. It sounds appealing!
According to the book The Power of Now by Eckhardt Tolle, you start by learning to be more present, by paying attention to this moment and that’s all. Not the past. Not the future. But Now. He advises that you can start with paying attention to your breath or the nature around you, not broadly, but very specifically, like one flower. He talks about noticing and feeling the space between things and the silence between the noises.
As I’ve revealed in this blog, I’m a nature lover. I like to walk or kayak on my own, admiring the bush and waterways. I also like to walk at night and look at the stars. The following passage from the book resonated with me:
“Presence is needed to become aware of the beauty, the majesty, the sacredness of nature. Have you ever gazed up into the infinity of space on a clear night, awestruck by the absolute stillness and inconceivable vastness of it? Have you listened, truly listened, to the sound of a mountain stream in the forest? Or to the song of a blackbird at dusk on a quiet summer evening? To become aware of such things, the mind needs to be still…
Beyond the beauty of the external forms, there is more here: something that cannot be named, something ineffable, some deep, inner, holy essence. Whenever and wherever there is beauty, this inner essence shines through somehow. It only reveals itself to you when you are present. Could it be that this nameless essence and your presence are one and the same?”
In other words, put down your personal baggage of problems, of past and future, put aside your judgement and running commentary, and just feel the Now. SO EASILY SAID, SO DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE! Except for Zen masters!
As a writer, this skill would be very useful to me. I’d notice more. And I think I’d be more productive if I made space in my mind by removing the clutter. Also, according to Mr Tolle, “Only if you are able to be conscious without thought can you use your mind creatively, and the easiest way to enter that state is through your body.”
If you want to understand that, you’ll have to read the book. I’m still working on it!
I’d highly recommend the App Insight Timer for guided meditations and meditative, relaxing music pieces. My favourites include chimes and nature sounds.
For further study – http://www.EckhartTolle.com
Carla Simmons Writer 
Great piece, Carla. I would love to be able to meditate, too. Might help clear away the ‘white noise’ polluting my brain most days!
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You’re not a Gemini are you?
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Nope, a Capricorn. Why?
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Another thought provoking blog Miss Carla (not sure if that is good or bad😏😂)
But seriously now, Mother Nature is without doubt our greatest healer.
For some it is the sights, sounds, and sensations of our stunning coastlines.
The smell of the ocean and it’s briny spray is never to be forgotten. There is a belief that the misty salt spray of the coast can be healing because it contains positive ions floating in its atmosphere.
Then there’s the delicious feeling of sand underfoot and the cool waves rushing over your feet.
For other people forests can be a place of refuge from life’s hectic pace.
Listening to the wind passing through the trees high above.
Wonder at the shape of trees, many twisting and contorting there way up to the sky.
Then there are smells of never ending decaying matter that sustains a myriad of life forms.
If you’ve ever been in any ancient forest areas where you can still find trees that a thousands of years old you will understand my next statement. I’ve been fortunate to have hugged three ancient trees in my life and each time I was brought to tears. The silence of these amazing giants touches your soul. The enormity of what they have witnessed and survived is awe inspiring.
Mother Nature can give us all the quiet places we need to find peace, tranquility and still our crazy minds.
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I love the tree hugging, and that you sensed them touching you back!
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I do agree with you Nikki in that there is peace in Nature , however when I am really trying to find that very vibrance of peace , I feel it with inside myself first . This is a very quiet tranquil time and fills me with immence energy, blocking out all the other stuff that is not necessary in my life . I had first practiced mindfulness meditation and experienced such peace during my time in Buddhist Monasterys and at The Mother House Calcutta . ( not that I bribe that mindfulness can only be experienced there) The learnings are not always conscious and when the discipline of practice become secondary to every other detail in life ,mindfulness becomes mindless . It is only with ongoing practice that the reality of mindfulness becomes more apparent . This blog is another coincidental reminder , that it’s now time for me to spend time on something that does have enormous value . (I must set the alarm tomorrow morning )
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