When The Night Is Still
There are times when I wake at about 3:30 am. After a sip of water, I resettle myself and soon realize sleep will not return. When the weather allows, my windows are open so I fall asleep to cicadas, crickets or night bird songs. When I awaken in the wee hours, the night is still. So still that I can hear the white noise in my own head. In recent months I have found that it is getting easier for me to dissolve into this soft inner sound and return to sleep.
When sleep does not come, I simply have to surrender to the experience of resting without sleeping. This is called practicing restful awareness. I am grateful that frustration no longer arises when this happens. I have learned to meditate, pray for others or seek the inner wisdom I am needing for a decision.
The world is so unbelievably still during these hours. A gentle reminder that I also am created and designed for stillness. It is my fundamental nature, my True Self, the essence of my be-ing. It has become my oasis from the chaos around me or in my mind. In yoga tradition we call circular thinking "the monkey mind." I always chuckle when that phrase comes to mind. It is perfect! The blessing of developing consistency in my own practice is that, many times, even the monkey rests.
The mind's purpose is to categorize, analyze, problem solve, explore, explain, define, create, discover. The answer for the runaway mind is to train it to remain in the present moment. The balance is to find that quality of quiet mindfulness and still allow a place for the creative flow to unfold. It can be so fun to explore the universe of possibilities! The power is in learning to do so with mindfulness, conscious choice and a productive focus. Sometimes we just have to give the mind something to do; other times we can teach it to rest.
This all comes through practice. "Practicing" is doing what works for you, as consistently as you are able, until it comes as naturally to you as walking - which we all had to learn how to do, remember?
When the night is still, try listening. First listen to the little sounds around you. Houses "talk," making small noises that we only hear when the world is still. Open a window and listen. Hear each sound or realize there are none in that moment. Bring your awareness into your own ears and see if you can hear the inner sounds - not your thoughts - but actual sounds that flow within your body. Let go of analyzing or wondering if something is wrong. Just listen. To me, as I mentioned above, it a soft white noise. Now I am learning to fall into it, float on the sound, rest in the song of my soul.
When the Night is Still, may you rest in its stillness while unfolding into your own.
Are you seeking a teacher who is exploring the stillness and who will support your journey of discovery? If so, you may have just found her. I would love to hear from you.
Contact me with questions, appointment requests, or whatever is on your mind and heart: [email protected]
