Winding down with the upcoming winter solstice.
Meditation taught me that rest is productive too.
Louder for the people in the back!
As the darker days wind us down to the upcoming solstice, it’s an important lesson to keep in mind. Rest isn’t just productive, it’s necessary. Mother Nature has wrapped herself up for a season of deep rest, and that recharge is required for us too!
Meditation is a form of rest, of recharge. It’s the going within and just witnessing that can bring about a sense of calm. The rest factor, in my opinion, is in the pause. The mini-rest. They count too!
I saw a simplified definition of meditation over on Instagram the other day I want to share (a snippet from Little Buddha).
“what’s meditating?”
“it is being totally quiet and relaxed. Seperating yourself from everything around you. Setting your mind free like a bird. And you can then see your thoughts as if they were passing clouds.”
Little Buddha (1993)
This little clip struck a chord with me because I hear a lot that people want to try meditating, or couldn’t try meditating because they can’t stop thinking.
But what if it’s an even simpler practice than we think?
Meditation practice can begin with a simple moment of admiration for the afternoon sun on your desk. A pause to smell the fresh air. It’s not necessary to empty the mind. Try simply watching the thoughts. Becoming aware of the internal dialogue. Tuning in to the push and pull of hunger, soreness, and other demands on your attention from the body for a moment. Letting yourself absorb the sounds around you for a minute or two. Being deeply present takes practice.
If this watching of the internal weather system doesn’t work for you, another simple exercise is to count blessings. A gratitude practice if you will. Count small things. Count big things.
- You had a nice breakfast.
- Your child had something exciting to tell you today.
- A friend thought of you and sent you something they knew you’d find funny.
- The temperature in the room feels just right today.
Let the gratitude list build itself as you reflect – it may surprise you how many make the list!
Finally, if pausing isn’t really your style – try The Multitasking Meditation to reap the benefits of a meditation practice … without having to slow down your bad self. 💅
Thank you for joining me for another blog post. Let me know in the comments below, whether you’re adding meditation in via multitasking, gratitude listing or pausing to check your own weather here and there. Whatever you choose, I hope the practice is bringing you much peace.
Wishing you an incredibly cozy weekend.
With Love,
Esta
with love , Esta 