I get a poem-a-day from the poet Rosemerry Wahtola Trummer and these often make me pause and feel the truth of the moment. Here is the poem I received yesterday called ‘One Inward’ that seems so timely…

only when buffeted
by the windstorm do I truly notice
how still I can be

—Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

Cultivating stillness and peace at times of chaos and upheaval may seem like a luxury or selfishness… and yet it is exactly at times like these that we need it the most! Stillness allows the agitation and reactivity in the mind to calm so that conditions for seeing clearly are cultivated, like preparing a garden for new growth. And from this seeing of suffering, change and non-self, wise action can emerge. This wise action can take many forms and many ways and can be deeply personal as well as collectively healing. As pointed to by spiritual teacher Ram Dass, ‘How can I help’ then becomes an attitude and practice, both internally and externally. This willingness to enter this process with humility, to be available for the present moment experience with an open heart, and to be touched by dukkha – this is practicing the practice!

Some practices to help support the cultivation of stillness can be found on my guided meditations page. I leave you with Thich Nhat Hanh’s words that never fail to inspire…

If we’re not calm, we can’t listen deeply and understand. But when our mind is calm, we can see reality more clearly, like still water reflecting the trees the clouds, and the blue sky. Stillness is the foundation of understanding and insight.

– Thich Nhat Hanh

May going inward support your ever expanding presence, kindness and healing!

With metta, Shuba