I’ve been overcome by an urge, since the clocks went back and the nights are drawing in, to retreat. I want to withdraw, hunker down, hibernate, go slow. I feel a need for silence, perhaps the noise only of a crackling fire.
I want to create time to just rest. Take deep rest. Just the words deep rest make me feel tired. Rushing through the year until now I think it’s time to rest. Outside the natural world is slowing down, turning inwards and I want to take a lesson from it.
Silence and stillness in world full of noise and busyness is so precious. If our world is full of noise, our mind is full of noise and we cannot see beauty that is present in simply being. If our world is full of busyness our mind is full of busyness - projects, plans, thoughts - we are lost in past or future. We need to rest. Rest in present moment experience.
Like a wounded bear, in winter we can retreat into the forest rest and heal. We can embrace the darkness, rest in subdued light, candlelight, firelight.
What happens when we slow down and create space and silence?
First the body releases tension and softens. The mind sheds its worries and begins to daydream, creativity arises. We notice others more. We notice the world around us. We begin to connect. We heal. We find peace.
When was the last time you felt truly peaceful, contented, at ease?
I invite you to still your world and create more silence this winter. What would that mean for you? Reading in the evening instead of watching TV? Meditating daily? Taking time just to have a cup of tea or coffee, nothing else? Going for winter walks? Writing letters? Reflect on what actions you can take to quieten your world. Maybe that means turning off devices, stop reading the news. Take some time to consider how you might do this for yourself in your circumstances.
Perhaps you’d like to start by doing this guided mediation on silence and stillness.
Retreating from the world
There is nothing like silence of an actual retreat . Or maybe even a solitary retreat of your own. If you’ve never been on retreat I recommend it. You don’t need to know anything about Buddhism or meditation to go on retreats. You just need to be open to exploring the larger issues of life and what they might mean for you. I go several times a year mostly for a long weekend and the occasional solitary retreat ( in a shepherds hut about 5 miles from my house).
A good place to find out about retreats in the UK is here. I suggest starting with an introductory weekend. These are centres run by Triratna Buddhist Community (of which I am part). I know that you will receive a warm welcome and good teaching. Each retreat centre runs a wide variety of retreats throughout the year exploring buddhism, buddhist meditation and yoga. Some centres also run specialised events which promote well being such as tai chi, shiatsu, massage, and the arts.
My local retreat centre is the wonderful Vajrasana.
So, until next time, go slowly.
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