#85: Understanding Stillness

A BRIEF MEDITATION

Take a deep inhale followed by a slow exhale. Imagine this moment suspended in time, like a raindrop hanging motionless in the air.

In this moment of stillness, allow yourself to sink deeper into the awareness of the here and now. As you continue to breathe slowly and deeply, let each breath mirror the stillness of the raindrop.

Finding stillness is how we unlock a wellspring of energy and creative intelligence, growing a deeper connection to the world and our place within it.

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MANTRA BREAKDOWN

It's easy to mistake stillness for something it's not – stagnancy, inertia, even laziness.

In reality, stillness is the source from which all action springs. When we cultivate our ability to be still, we're not just sitting quietly; we're elevating every facet of our lives.

Stilling our minds helps us reach a higher plane of understanding. Our thoughts are crystallized, allowing us to tap into a wisdom that's usually drowned out by the noise of daily life.

When we slow down, the spectrum of emotions we experience carries a richer and more passionate intensity. The always-changing scenery in front of us gains a technicolor vibrancy.

In stillness, we understand that each second of our existence is a self-contained universe, whole and complete in its own right. We unlock a deeper level of existence.

Every ambition, every desire, every accomplishment of ours – they're all just the icing on the cake. The cake, the true substance, is found in moments of stillness. This is where we truly come alive.

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FOCUS TOGETHER WITH FLOWN

Most of us know that deep focus is key to making real progress in our work.

Nothing groundbreaking there.

What we tend to overlook is the power of accountability when breaking through inertia and procrastination. There's even this phenomenon called "body doubling" — simply having others working around you while you work — that can dramatically sustain your focus.

Jump into any of Flown's virtual coworking sessions to try it for yourself! Each week, they host 50+ focus sessions led by fantastic facilitators, designed to help you become more productive, super fulfilled, and mentally stronger than you’ve ever felt.

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3 SMALL WAYS TO EMBODY STILLNESS AND ACTIVATE INNER HARMONY

When life feels stuffy, noisy, or stressed, our reaction is to think more and do faster to get ahead of it all.

What if going slower and doing less was the key to achieving blissful harmony during chaotic times?

The following are small actions you can incorporate into your day to slow down and embody stillness to recharge and activate inner harmony.

Use pen and paper to offload mental noise. 

Focusing on and slowing down your thoughts allows you to see the truth more clearly.

Reflect on something that's been crowding your mind. Maybe it's unloading today's to-dos on a notepad, or jotting down your thoughts about a recent interaction.

Using pen and paper is ideal because it's slower than typing. The slower you go, the more engaged you become in the present moment. What used to be mental chatter transforms into insight. The rest disappears into the ether.

Observe things that are still or quiet.

To become still yourself, it helps to observe things around you that are still. Even if you hear subtle noises, tapping into nuanced sensations (the white noise of a nearby heater, the rise of your dog's chest as she naps) helps you become more quiet and still inside.

You pick up on stuff you wouldn't normally notice. You are engaged in active listening, and this aligns you to a deeper, more attuned frequency that illuminates more clarity and creativity within.

Tune in to the physical space in your life.

Sensing spaciousness itself is a funny concept, because it's the absence of matter, but it's still accessible.

You can appreciate it firsthand by going outside. Walk mindfully, and feel the air breeze between your fingers.

Creating your own spaciousness is another portal to stillness. Set a timer for 10 minutes and tidy up a corner of a room. Perhaps it's your deskspace or any other surface that clutters easily. Notice how you feel afterward – Do you breathe lighter? Does your sense of self expand in the new space?

HOW TO START

Choose one of these habits and dedicate just 5 minutes to it each day: a 5-minute journaling session, a 5-minute present-awareness meditation, or a 5-minute tidying session.

Let this small commitment be your gateway to a life more serene, a mind more powerful, and a heart more joyful.

MOMENTUM FEATURE OF THE WEEK

Work and stillness sound like two concepts that don't go together, but when combined mindfully, they can be the perfect blend to achieving flow and ease.

Focus Mode helps you channel deep focus by zoning in on a single task with minimal disruptions and stress. Here’s how:

• Zero in on one task –  Get specific and clear with your singular task. Set it front and center with everything else (literally) fading in the background.

• Block out mental noise –  Filter outside noise with Soundscapes and vacuum up digital distractions with Tab Stash.

• Personalize your focus rhythm – When we're juggling too many thoughts, the path to finding focus is slooowing down. Customize your Pomodoro to fit any energy level. Automate breaks in between to recharge your brain.

IT’S ALL GOOD (NEWS)

Here are a few stories that may spark curiosity and wonder. ✨

• 👩🏼‍🌾 Joyful Actions: Seed Swap Helping Islanders Grow Joy During Winter Months

• ☀️ Sustainability: The Biggest Solar-Plus-Storage Project in the US Just Came Online

• 👩🏽‍🦽 Equality: Transport Training Facility To Help People With Disabilities Unveiled

• 📱 Cool Gadgets: Simple Scanner Will Tell You Exactly How Long Fruit and Veggies Will Last