Hi Ramon. I just read your post and laughed with delight at the synchronicity. My friend Valentine (https://substack.com/@valentinelaout) and I just wrote posts on stillness and silence on the same day without having discussed it beforehand. I love when these things happen. I really enjoyed this article. From a spiritual point of view, those periods of stillness, silence, and pausing are important to connect to something higher, whatever you wish to call it. But even for people who do not relate to that in any way, to pause after some activity it to process it, internalize it...really make it a part of you. We think we're wasting time when we do this and nothing could be further from the truth. Thank you!
Hi Margaret, I love your response. Yes, it is always lovely when synchronicity emerges in these nourishing ways to echo to us the we are in the flow so to speak. I appreciate you sharing that.
And yes, I agree. This aspect of pause/stillness is even reflected on the macro scale of sleep, in which we adapt, internalize and process...all while connecting to the spirit world. However, something more 'conscious', does seem to be an essential part of the spiritual path.
'We hear “God is Love” and it sounds so easy. But what is love? It has so many meanings in this world and everyone perceives it in a slightly different way. We read and study and intellectualize and still we do not know. We realize we must get our heads out of the books and actually live our spirituality. And even then, we’re still not quite there.'
Stunning post Ramon, just wonderful. And the synchronicity is indeed very delightful, like Margaret says here. I think it is not for nothing stillness and silence are very important in these time indeed. We do not realize that silence is foundational for everything but we cover it up with as much sound as possible. But we do not have to fear stillness, we can use it to connect again with what we really are. Love what you say about music also! And especially when you added this: "The world today and the state it fosters is like a song with no spaces between the notes." Beautifully said! Thanks again and also to Margaret for bringing your article to my attention🙏🏻💗 With love, Valentine Laout
Thank you kindly Valentine, for the kind words. It is always a pleasure to hear somebody enjoyed your artwork (as I am sure you know).
😉
'I think it is not for nothing stillness and silence are very important in these time indeed. We do not realize that silence is foundational for everything but we cover it up with as much sound as possible.'
I could not agree more...
I myself have fallen into this pattern at times, and always end up 'burnt' on multiple levels because of it: physically and spiritually.
I asked Margaret if a particular article I found on your Substack is in fact the one you both have referenced and will read it when I hear back.
Yes! Stillness/silence is popping up more and more everywhere and I am so exited about that because it is as an absolute necessity. Thanks again for your article and indeed my article is the one Margaret mentions above here. Love, Valentine
Very interesting way of practising stillness, I am pondering to start practising also in this way. Thanks for sharing it!
Just a small remark I am not sure if practising only spontaneously work for me.
Sticking to practice something (bioenergetics in my case) every day at least once, no matter what I think or feel gave me the energy and momentum to keep my responsabilities, not get caught in avoidance and in resisting every action. Since sometimes seems that the mind resist everything going out, staying home, practising bio, reading, exercising, talking with people, seems just resistance. Not sure if it is possible to realise this without a commitment.
By committing to something that clearly increase your emotional and physical health, you are reinforcing the part of you that wants to keep you healthy and alive. By reinforcing it, it become a stronger part of you and support your choices even outside your practice, in your daily life.
With all that said I feel the stress that brings the commitment and the motion, of doing the right thing and the longing for something more spontaneous. I see this spontaneous practice of stillness as a balncing factor to motion and commitment. (since to me spontaneity-commitment, stillness-motion seems two dualities).
So can be valuable for me if I am practising it togheter with a practice (like bio or 30 minutes meditations with a set intention to feel your body, for example) I am commiting to.
One need not choose between the two (spontaneous vs. scheduled), and in general I suggest both.
In my opinion, the foundation of any personal cultivation path is dedicated practice time.
The spontaneous element is about 'becoming' more deeply aligned with a particular path in day to day life, AND the transformation/maturation of consciousness, so that it becomes more fluid and adaptable.
Routines a 'blunt' tools. Very helpful and useful, but if one is serious about cultivation, there is usually the need to grow to accommodate more that just routine action.
Keep the routine as a tool (staying dedicated is in itself a tool that fosters certain qualities, on top of the effects of the practice itself), and expand you capacity to be spontaneous as well.
Thanks for this important reminder. I've been trying to slow down, and taking pauses, and doing things in a more relaxed way, so this was timely, Ramon.
I love this phrase: "the rich, and delicious silence".
Hi Ramon. I just read your post and laughed with delight at the synchronicity. My friend Valentine (https://substack.com/@valentinelaout) and I just wrote posts on stillness and silence on the same day without having discussed it beforehand. I love when these things happen. I really enjoyed this article. From a spiritual point of view, those periods of stillness, silence, and pausing are important to connect to something higher, whatever you wish to call it. But even for people who do not relate to that in any way, to pause after some activity it to process it, internalize it...really make it a part of you. We think we're wasting time when we do this and nothing could be further from the truth. Thank you!
Hi Margaret, I love your response. Yes, it is always lovely when synchronicity emerges in these nourishing ways to echo to us the we are in the flow so to speak. I appreciate you sharing that.
Would it be this article by chance? https://substack.com/@valentinelaout/p-148119964
And yes, I agree. This aspect of pause/stillness is even reflected on the macro scale of sleep, in which we adapt, internalize and process...all while connecting to the spirit world. However, something more 'conscious', does seem to be an essential part of the spiritual path.
Blessings...
Yes! That’s Valentine’s post.
My thoughts on stillness and silence were woven into my marshmallow piece. lol. https://open.substack.com/pub/margaretreyesdempsey/p/toasting-marshmallows-over-a-glass?r=ovl5a&utm_medium=ios
Thank you for sharing your article too Margaret.
This part jumped out to me personally:
'We hear “God is Love” and it sounds so easy. But what is love? It has so many meanings in this world and everyone perceives it in a slightly different way. We read and study and intellectualize and still we do not know. We realize we must get our heads out of the books and actually live our spirituality. And even then, we’re still not quite there.'
Very true.
Stunning post Ramon, just wonderful. And the synchronicity is indeed very delightful, like Margaret says here. I think it is not for nothing stillness and silence are very important in these time indeed. We do not realize that silence is foundational for everything but we cover it up with as much sound as possible. But we do not have to fear stillness, we can use it to connect again with what we really are. Love what you say about music also! And especially when you added this: "The world today and the state it fosters is like a song with no spaces between the notes." Beautifully said! Thanks again and also to Margaret for bringing your article to my attention🙏🏻💗 With love, Valentine Laout
Thank you kindly Valentine, for the kind words. It is always a pleasure to hear somebody enjoyed your artwork (as I am sure you know).
😉
'I think it is not for nothing stillness and silence are very important in these time indeed. We do not realize that silence is foundational for everything but we cover it up with as much sound as possible.'
I could not agree more...
I myself have fallen into this pattern at times, and always end up 'burnt' on multiple levels because of it: physically and spiritually.
I asked Margaret if a particular article I found on your Substack is in fact the one you both have referenced and will read it when I hear back.
All the best to you...
Yes! Stillness/silence is popping up more and more everywhere and I am so exited about that because it is as an absolute necessity. Thanks again for your article and indeed my article is the one Margaret mentions above here. Love, Valentine
I really enjoyed your article Valentine. I do in fact see how it is very synchronistic with my article.
Would you say that one of the gifts (if you feel there are any), of your tinnitus has been a deeper appreciation for silence?
Very interesting way of practising stillness, I am pondering to start practising also in this way. Thanks for sharing it!
Just a small remark I am not sure if practising only spontaneously work for me.
Sticking to practice something (bioenergetics in my case) every day at least once, no matter what I think or feel gave me the energy and momentum to keep my responsabilities, not get caught in avoidance and in resisting every action. Since sometimes seems that the mind resist everything going out, staying home, practising bio, reading, exercising, talking with people, seems just resistance. Not sure if it is possible to realise this without a commitment.
By committing to something that clearly increase your emotional and physical health, you are reinforcing the part of you that wants to keep you healthy and alive. By reinforcing it, it become a stronger part of you and support your choices even outside your practice, in your daily life.
With all that said I feel the stress that brings the commitment and the motion, of doing the right thing and the longing for something more spontaneous. I see this spontaneous practice of stillness as a balncing factor to motion and commitment. (since to me spontaneity-commitment, stillness-motion seems two dualities).
So can be valuable for me if I am practising it togheter with a practice (like bio or 30 minutes meditations with a set intention to feel your body, for example) I am commiting to.
I wonder what are your thoughts on that?
Hello Francesco,
One need not choose between the two (spontaneous vs. scheduled), and in general I suggest both.
In my opinion, the foundation of any personal cultivation path is dedicated practice time.
The spontaneous element is about 'becoming' more deeply aligned with a particular path in day to day life, AND the transformation/maturation of consciousness, so that it becomes more fluid and adaptable.
Routines a 'blunt' tools. Very helpful and useful, but if one is serious about cultivation, there is usually the need to grow to accommodate more that just routine action.
Keep the routine as a tool (staying dedicated is in itself a tool that fosters certain qualities, on top of the effects of the practice itself), and expand you capacity to be spontaneous as well.
That's what I promote.
You will have to choose for yourself.
P.S This article may help.
https://theancestralnow.substack.com/p/offerings-to-the-spirit-of-practice-cb9
Thanks for this important reminder. I've been trying to slow down, and taking pauses, and doing things in a more relaxed way, so this was timely, Ramon.
I love this phrase: "the rich, and delicious silence".
You are most welcome Diana. It brings me joy to know it was helpful to you.
It seems like a reminder many of us need in today's world.
I have actually found that pausing regularly, seems to increase the amount of time we have if anything else.