In our busy lives and hectic society, it often feels like there isn’t a moment of peace or quiet in the entire 24 hour day. Finding stillness within yourself is considered by many to be the true path to happiness and contentment. Yoga and meditation are effective for helping you to find stillness within and then carry that feeling with you off the mat.
Finding stillness can be difficult when you first begin a meditation practice. For most of us, a constant inner dialogue takes over whenever we have a few quiet minutes. Although there is a lot to worry about in modern life, taking time to quiet the mind and body is important and gets easier with practice.
If you are taking a meditation class at your local yoga studio or wellness center, you will have an instructor to guide you and help you find the state of stillness within. Once you have accessed this quiet place inside a few times, it will become easier.
However, if you are practicing meditation and yoga at home, you don’t have the benefit of a more experienced practitioner to offer this advice. Fortunately, finding stillness isn’t as difficult as it seems. And once you find it, you will have the motivation to continue the practice.
For some, stillness is a great way to relax, relieve stress and live in contentment, regardless of what life throws their way. For others, the practice and discovering stillness is a spiritual experience. This spirituality is general and doesn’t negate or replace any other religious beliefs. In fact, connecting with the Source of Life is compatible with all major religious traditions.
As you discover stillness, you gain awareness of your body, inner being and all of creation. For many people, this becomes a spiritual journey that brings them closer to God, or to all creation in the Universe. The great thing about the practice of yoga and mediation is you can tailor them to fit your own needs, whether physical, emotional or spiritual.