Movement to achieve Stillness

Lake Pueblo Colorado, taken by E.A.S.O

Greetings and salutations, this is Momma O Babbling about MEDITATION.

WAIT, please don't go.

I understand the struggle.

After 3 years I can manage a minute, sometimes, of silent, stillness.

For me, meditation is not about complete stillness of body, it is about how long I can quiet the rattle and prattle of society, of commercials, of social media, of familial programming, would'a, could'a, shoud'a-ing my choices, the 'to do' list, all those things keeping me busy, neutral and unmoving, and, or, a negative headspace.

For years I used to sit/lay down, close my eyes and try to meditate my mind and body, still. I'd see others do it for minutes, some even hours, meanwhile, I'm running song lyrics to avoid the things mentioned above.

Now, I understand that is also meditative, but then, the objective was stillness and I wasn't reaching it.

Negative thoughts started running through my head at a young age. They seemed helpful at first, breath, look up, hold your head up, stop fidgeting, then they became worse, but that is a story for another day.

What if I told you, stillness is not the only way, there are other meditative ways to quiet the thoughts. I tried for years, I'd just get anxious and stop until I discovered movement meditation.

I had been taking a class in Energy Medicine by Donna Eden, her daughter Titanya taught energy movement/dance in the class as well. Following Titanya to find more energy movements/dance, I discovered Poi, I bought our family the DVD and Poi in the Spring of 2021, they liked it, I LOVED it.

I found with some music, and movement I could tune out the rest of the physical world. For as long as I could tolerate it, I would put on my headset, go out on the sidewalk and practice Poi, I even got the LED multicolored ones, so, I'd practice in the evening, showing off a little🤫

Hey, I smacked myself A LOT of times before doing it where others could see, and light or not, they still hurt when they connect.

Sorry, back on topic.

Practicing the poi took me out of the thoughts, out of the worries, out of me, I knew I hit the moment when I managed the meditation moment, THE moment where nothing else exists.

I heard the music, I felt the music. I saw the poi. I felt the poi. For a moment, I was the music ... I was the poi ... I was motion ... I was, I am.

Nothing else existed for a time.

Then a sound or a motion brought me back to the physical moment, but I was there, I finally had proof it was possible for me.

I practiced every night for a couple of months, but at the end of Summer beginning of Fall storms began and it was causing too much pain, arthritis and fibromyalgia would flare making movement impossible. Now, as winter approaches, I've begun a great Yoga routine, but that is another story too.

My point is, meditation does not have to be stillness of body if you find that challenging, move, walk, dance, sway, march, while you move make sure to take regular, full breaths.

Meditation is not physical stillness.

Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or ACTIVITY – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm, and stable state.

Practicing poi this summer allowed me to find a few seconds to a few moments of meditation during savasana the last couple of days, there was a time in 2017 that the thoughts, the overwhelming negative thoughts were so bad that I thought to end this physical existence, and at that time, these seconds were a far off dream.

Today I exist in a dream I dreamed a few years ago, I cannot wait to exist in what I'm dreaming today, tomorrow.

So, if you find it not just challenging, but anxiety-inducing to sit still and try to clear your mind, don't, at least don't try to start there. Move. Walk. Dance. Poi. Yoga.

Have difficulties moving? Count beads or something. Play in a desktop sandbox. Color. Crochet/knit/sew. Drum. Hum. Tap. Clap.

If stillness creates stress, move.

Eventually, stillness of mind comes, when you realize you have done it, you understand you can. Then it is just a matter of existing in the time of stillness, however long it may last.

Surviving happens in the physical world, thriving happens in the stillness.

Love, Light, and gentle hugs to you,

Momma O

*https://energymedicinewoman.com/

This article was written by Elizabeth Ann when writing Blessings & Babble with Momma O 4 years ago.