THE ART AND POWER OF RESTING
In all of the busy-ness of our daily lives, we do well to remember the beauty and power in the art of resting. To simply step aside from the fast pace of our duties and obligations, to pause for a moment of silence, to turn and look at our present experience from a different perspective...these may be moments of invitation--to the muses, to the creative spirit that has been waiting for an opening, to the spirit of healing and wisdom who can bring solace to our body and mind. We each would do well to master the art of resting. To create a broad and diverse repertoire of methods and techniques for stopping the world...for shifting to a place of stillness and silence...for an instant, an hour, a week, or longer. The mind is a busy, restless thing, looking for a problem to solve, something not finished, something to fear. Hugh Prather, author of There is a Place Where You are not Alone once compared the mind to a dog who won't keep his nose out of trash cans, no matter how hard its owner may be pulling on the leash. Our mind, like the dog, needs training. We have to practice, to develop the skill of stopping the thinking, worrying, and sniffing around for smelly stuff. Meditation and other practices of mindfulness are disciplines designed to bring this restless mental activity to a point of focus and clarity. The peace and serenity that literally flood your body and soul when the mind comes to rest are exquisite. Stop now, whatever you are doing. Listen to the silence between the sounds. Feel the stillness within the movement of your mind and body. Their is solace, power and healing for you, here, right now, always.
