To Be Simply, Radically, Absolutely Still

Last week, at the Awakin Circle, I put aside my prepared comments below and instead, commented on Dineshbhai’s comments on knowing and doing. This was in relation to happiness and stillness as discussed in the passage. Dineshbhai’s comments were focused on doing vs stillness as doing implies moving.
 
I think we can achieve stillness while “doing” if we feel happy while “doing” and gradually progress to being at peace while “doing”. Peace leads to stillness. Stillness in this context refers to non-physical stillness – stillness of mind and emotions. Physical stillness is not really important. In most cases, it is a necessary part of being a human being and living a human life. So, if we can achieve happiness and progress to being at peace while “doing”, we can achieve stillness while “doing”.
 
Another random thought: Stillness – Learn how to be still (both physical and non-physical), but define stillness first. If you don’t know what stillness is, you cannot learn it, achieve it or practice it.
 
Prepared comments:

1. Existence is mundane only if we let it be mundane.  It is in our mind and it is a matter of attitude. It is in our hands and within our control.

2. Don’t try to “find” happiness – just experience it. Happiness cannot be found, it can only be experienced. For that, one has to have an open mind. Happiness is a state of mind and is completely within every individual’s control. Only we can make ourselves happy or unhappy. No one else can do it for us or do it to us.
 
Happiness, as God, cannot be physically experienced with our 5 senses or 5 sense organs – eyesight, touch, smell, hearing and taste (eyes, skin, nose, ears and tongue). We strive to “search” what our 5 senses cannot physically experience. Again, an open mind is the key.
 
Life is a slope.  Many times it is a slippery slope. Once you see a slope in front of you, hold back. Some people see a slope and see dangers. When I see a slippery slope in front of me, I think of a skier. A skier sees a slippery slope and sees an opportunity to have the most fun in life. That is because the skier has trained and equipped himself or herself to overcome the dangers and instead enjoy. Is this not a matter of attitude? So, train your mind to overcome obstacles, see opportunities ahead and prepare to enjoy. By the way, do try to avoid dangers by all means.
 
Perhaps, the only way to be happy is happy is to make someone else (others) happy. Try it, you might like it.

3. Being still – In strictly physical terms, stillness implies lack of motion - as in standing still or sitting still. However, when motion leads to some kind of progress, it may not be too bad after all.
 
Stillness of mind is difficult, almost impossible to achieve. For most part, it is illusive. Stillness of emotions is easier to achieve. It does take lots of practice, control and effort.

Thanks for this -- it made me wonder what you think about what the root of stillness is -- Peace can get us there, but where is stillness coming from? 

Another aspect of "still" implies steadfastness and commitment.  East/West, Being/Doing world views fade away in the realization of Source and our inextricable connections as One.  The peace of Absolute Stillness, as has been noted, is an eternal notion beyond every worldly circumstance.  "Peace to my mind.  Let all my thoughts be still."  ACIM, W-pI,221

I'm not at all sure, but I think there is a stillness beyond what the mind can know.

I think what I meant is that physical stillness is relatively easier to achieve. Emotional (e.g. anger, excitement, crying etc) stillness requires vigilence, practice and determination. I think stillness of mind is extremely difficult to achieve because of the nature of mind. However, when the mind is at peace, we can experience stillness of mind. Hope this helps.