Stillness

The recent gales had me transfixed staring at the trees in my garden bending and waving, twisting and straining.

Bundled up in my warmest clothes I sat outside gazing at the 40ft fir tree. The branches were frantic. Lashing around in every direction my first impression was that the tree trunk was solid and motionless. The longer I sat observing the more detail I noticed, and my first impression was not right. As gust upon gust battered the tree the branches reacted dramatically, while the trunk moved gently and gracefully. No drama, no sudden reaction just a smooth, benign response, to a potentially dangerous gale.

Our core (bodymind) would like us to remember that we too can have that still, but not unmoving capacity of the tree trunk. We don't have to get involved in the reactionary dance of those around us who may care more about how impressively they can "flap" and less about how still they can be when all around is in apparent chaos.

"Within you there is stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself." - Hermann Hesse

"It is the stillness that will save and transform the world." - Eckhart Tolle