Finding the Quiet Within

by Lyn E. Ayre
© 2003

Used to be…

It used to be that, at the end of the day, there was time for reflection. We had the opportunity to sort through the day just lived. There was ample time to think things through, make up our mind, discover who we are and what we want, make plans, fantasize, dream, and imagine.

With our current technology, we can ‘reach out and touch someone’ 24/7. We are never turned to the off position. No matter what your preference as an ‘early riser’ or a ‘night owl’, there is always something you can do. As the saying goes, we have become ‘human-doings’ instead of ‘human-be-ings’.

We are seldom out of touch with the ones we love. We can be contacted via our telephone, pager, fax line, cell phone, email, snail mail, and web cam. Those moments in the car, in the bathroom, shopping, eating, in the movies, at the massage therapists, and at a friend’s house were once great times to reconnect with ourselves in thoughtfulness. They are now constantly punctuated with varying sounds from Beethoven’s Fifth to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun and every imaginable bleep in between.

Some of the key benefits of daily meditation are: finding peace within and the clarity that comes with that; knowing that our actions are in harmony with who we are; connecting with our truth; and keeping our connection to the Source open and flowing. Reduced pain, the ability to handle the usual stresses of life, increased mental focus, and an improved immune system are a few other ‘side-effects’.

Since these previously imposed quiet times are not thrust upon us today, we need to use self-discipline to carve out our own meditation routine. When we find the time, what do we do then? Do anything that makes you feel connected to the true you: sing, do art, do music, do exercise, slow down your breathing, breathe deeply, meditate, pray, write in your journal, focus on an object, think through a question or issue you would like clarity on, or just sit and be.
To the quiet, and make it quick!

Follow your breathing. This is something that you can do anywhere, anytime. You can do this with your eyes open or closed. In less than a minute, you can be in a calm, centred space. All you have to do is start paying attention to your breathing. This is a built in talent that most of us don’t use, probably because we never thought of it. Just slow down and breathe two or three times. It works!

Ten ways to find the quiet…

1. Get up earlier or stay up later

These are what I refer to as bonus times. Everyone is still asleep, all the radios, computers and TV’s are off, and the energy of the house has changed and settled down. When our space is quiet, it is easier for us to be quiet.

2. Use your time in the bathroom

You’re sitting there anyway. Why not use this time throughout the day to centre yourself? Make this time inviolate. When you are in the bathroom, no one must disturb you for any reason unless it is a dire emergency. Keep some uplifting/spiritual/religious books handy for reading. Say your prayers, if you wish. Meditate, light a candle, and burn some incense. You may not know this, but ‘The Thinker’ statue was originally seated here until they moved him to Paris, France. (smile broadly)

3. Listen to soothing music you love

Really listen. Follow the music and allow yourself to move within it. There are numerous CD’s with quality sound to entrance you. Begin by breathing deeply two or three times, relax your body, then, go into the music, become the notes, or follow one instrument only. Find the many other ways you can enjoy your selection.

4. Sit by flowing water

Sit and soak up the negative ions created by flowing water. These tiny molecules flood the space around us and attach themselves to the positive ions of dust, bacteria, viruses, and ‘negative energies’, allowing these particles to fall harmlessly to the earth. When there are quantities of negative ions cleaning the air, we feel revitalized. Burning a beeswax candle or lighting a candle and placing it in rock salt produces the same effect.

5. Drive around rural areas

Go see the horsies, cows, and falling down barns in your rural area. Take your camera. Visit the local nature reserves. Or haunt the old miner’s shacks, railway trestles, and abandoned mines in your area. Drive on back roads and drink in natural beauty.

6. Walk in the woods

Notice the myriad hues of green. Place your hands on the side of a tree and get in touch with the energy flowing under the bark. Wrap you arms around it. Fill yourself with appreciation for this enormous tree-being. Stand beside it and get in touch with the root system. Imagine you have roots and pull the energy up from the earth into your own body, as does the tree.

7. Take the scenic route to work

If at all possible, leave a little earlier and take the back roads. Opt out of the traffic, turn off the radio and cell phone, and drink in the scenes around you. Imagine – quietly, people are getting out of bed, having their breakfast, walking the dog, taking their morning beverage out to the patio or gazebo and surveying the view. Watch for wildlife on the way.

8. Mindfully direct your attention

There are several things to choose from. Depending on the sense you want to stimulate, you could choose cloves, cinnamon, perfume, a candle, flower, photo, a bird, song, tone, and so on. Keep it singular and simple. Put all of your attention into the object of your focus. Breathe deeply and renew your spirit.

9. A party for one

Light your favourite candles and incense, put on your special music and move your body to the rhythm. Follow your own promptings. If you have a drum, didgeridoo, or some other toning instrument, play along.

10. Pretend the power’s out

Turn everything off and sit. Be quiet, find your sacred space within and honour your process. Get in touch with who you are at this very moment. What do you really want? Do you really want what you already have? Are you doing the things that boost your self-esteem? Do you still have some habits that annoy even you? Are you willing to give them up yet?

If you don’t want to have a serious look at this time, go to bed and read a book by flashlight. Light the fireplace, if you have one, and roast marshmallows and drink cocoa. Put your mattress on the floor beside the fire and sleep in your flannel pj’s.

Imagination is key

Imagination is key to finding the quiet time in our lives. We can support ourselves throughout our lives with ten minutes here and fifteen minutes there, remembering we won’t always have two jobs to go to or three kids to care for or a parent who is ill. If we can make regular deposits to our ‘spiritual bank account’, when these times come we’ll be better able to handle them and not lose our own centre.

Lyn Ayre, through her Aura Wellness Centre, offers sessions & courses in Emotional Freedom Technique, Meditation, Reiki, Chakras & Energy Bodies, and Crystals. It is well known that the goal of energy healing is stress reduction and pain relief.
Email: LynAyre@telus.net
Website: www.LynAyre.com