Sit down and be quiet.

Hello dear Lotus Centre friends....


Happy Thursday :) On this rather cool September week, I've been observing all the hustle and bustle of the first week back from the Summer. Although the Lotus Centre is so very calm and serene, it's impossible not to sense the feelings of urgency and steadfast determination within the city.

This has got me thinking - with all the to-do lists, planning, organization and goal-setting running through our heads, how much time are we truly dedicating to our well-being?

Setting goals and outlining steps to accomplish our goals is an important aspect of feeling fulfilled. However, this process can easily get in the way of allowing ourselves to slow down and quiet down. We live in a fast-paced society of productivity where it's often frowned upon to spend time doing absolutely nothing. And I'm not talking about watching tv or reading Facebook updates.

I'm talking about the kind of quietness that allows us to turn within -  to really check in to what we're experiencing inside of us and around us.

When is the last time you spent time do to this?

Most of us have to schedule into our already jam-packed days and weeks - and there is absolutely nothing wrong with this. In fact, I greatly encourage it. Dedicating time to be still and be quiet makes us question how well we are taking care of ourselves and what nourishes us. Even spending an hour each week can make a huge difference. In the meditation group I hold on Tuesday evenings here at TLC, I'm amazed over and over again that people are focusing on self-care.

Often times, when we attempt to just sit and listen to ourselves, we here all these critical voices shouting judgements at us... usually along the lines of "I could be doing something better with my time ... I could be doing something for someone else... I'm not good enough or strong enough to do this". But remembering that these are just thoughts, just reactions to our conditioned habits, can be an important tool in tuning in to our inner critics, and also to remind us of the benefits of getting quiet and still.

So, my challenge to you is to dedicate a little bit of time (even 3 minutes, even in the line at the bank, even on a yoga mat) to be quiet and slow down..... and notice how it feels to do this. Then ask yourself, over and over again: What nourishes me? Am I nourished? How do I self sooth?

Until next thursday,

Happy thoughts :)

Heather


Heather is one of the managers at the Lotus Centre and can be found at the front desk. She also holds a weekly Meditation Group on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 - 8:15pm, by donation.