MAY OUR THOUGHTS BE WITH US

“When we pause and do it frequently, we begin to be more aware of what is around us and within us.” –Gunilla Norris 

STILL THE MIND AND THE BRAIN AWAKENS

I felt something was different the moment I woke up—everything was quiet and unlike most mornings, few cars were whizzing by the house. Then I remembered it was Labor Day, and on this year’s holiday I had no schedule, no need to rush, and no reason not to enjoy the silence. 

It is said that listening to silence awakens stillness within us. 

Stillness can be thought of as an absence of motion, activity, or disturbance. Stilling thoughts allows our minds to rest, although surprisingly, while resting, certain previously inactive brain processes become highly active. Neuroscientist Marcus Raichle discovered that when his MRI subjects were released from problem-solving exercises, multiple new regions of their brain scans showed increased activity while activity in the problem-solving regions diminished. Because multiple brain regions were involved, Raichle described this discovery as a “resting-state network” —also known as a “default-mode network.” Activity associated with creativity, self-reflection, and personal meaning-making can be found within these brain networks.  

Inner stillness makes creativity and innovation possible. Purposefully stilling our minds enhances mental stability, clarity, and strength. When we cultivate inner stillness, we are better able to focus, listen well, and tolerate frustration. We’re more likely to feel positive and hopeful. The capacity to attain inner stillness is key to building the mental and emotional skills needed for high health and well-being.

Photo by Jimmy Chang on Unsplash

MINDS BECOME STILL WHEN THOUGHTS ARE CENTERED

Like an endangered species, our experiences of inner stillness are declining. Mental health professionals attempt to raise awareness and offer help, but the decline continues. Instead, we experience an incessant flow of distracting thoughts and emotions which occupy and disturb our mental and emotional spaces—a consequence of societal trends familiar to most of us. Unlimited thoughts and mental activity compete for our attention unless we are able to intentionally redirect it. 

There are many ways to take control, reign in thoughts, and rebuild inner stillness for ourselves. Observing where our attention is placed is a useful first step. Imagining a model of our mental landscape can help us locate where our attention is placed and better understand what our habitual thinking patterns are. 

The model could resemble the circles formed by a drop of water falling into a pond. Each circle houses different types of thoughts, with the smallest and most focused in the center and the largest and most dispersed in the outside perimeter. In this model, the center represents uninterrupted attention on a single object or activity—for example, drafting a memo or listening to silence. In the next slightly larger circle, attention maybe on hope, fear, or thoughts tied to emotions, such as hope for continued good health or fear of an impending storm. The next larger circle has attention placed on thoughts related to past and future—did I say the right thing? Will travel be smooth? In the final, largest circle, which is also the busiest and farthest from the center, attention is directed to daily activities, such as emails, work projects, text messages, social media, family commitments, errands, or news reports. 

Observing which circle our attention is in helps us recognize whether our thoughts are with us—centered on what we are doing at the moment—or if they’re further away from our current activity and scattered in the periphery. Holding our attention in the center creates inner stillness. Usually we do this by directing our attention to the breath, nature, music, art, day-dreaming, or a specific task or project. Mindfulness and other methods may be helpful but are not required. The only requirement is to regularly create and spend time in states of inner stillness. 

INNER STILLNESS INCREASES WELL-BEING

A Jedi gets power from the Force, and our power comes from the composure and control generated when our thoughts are regularly centered. Having an ability to boost our own mental and emotional well-being has never been more important as we continue to cope with COVID-19, weather disruptions, and other emerging crises. 

Cultivating inner stillness regularly makes a noticeable difference. I immediately become more composed and capable when I take two minutes to pull my attention back from the periphery and center it on my activity of the moment. Why not begin centering your attention now by enjoying the two-minute video below? Focusing on nature, it has lifted the spirits and calmed the minds of many viewers. To find new ways to increase stillness, feel refreshed, uplifted and energized, visit the High Health Network .

Joyce M. Young, MD, MPH
Managing Director, Advanced Wellness Systems

You can download a copy here and use it to center your attention whenever you like.

Sincerely,
Your colleagues at Advanced Wellness Systems