The Sound of Silence ~ Surrender to the fertile, nourishing darkness
/“Within you There is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at anytime and be your self.”
As the Winter Solstice approaches the natural world is falling into darkness, silence, and stillness - bears are going into hibernation, many birds have flown south, and trees and plants are sending all of their energy underground to nourish their roots and to rest and restore for the coming spring. Because we too are part of the natural world, we are being called to do the same in this season of darkness. At the same time our consumer culture calls on us to do the opposite -to go,go,go, to do,do,do - shop, cook, decorate, socialize etc. While it's really lovely to have these celebrations of light, it's so easy feel out of balance and overwhelmed this time of year. It can be so nourishing throughout the holiday season to take some time for real silence, real stillness, real darkness. FYI - Sitting quietly and still while staring a screen of any kind is not real silence, stillness or darkness. Just saying....
The fifth of Patanjali's 8 limbs of yoga is Pratyahara - the withdrawing of the senses from the outside world - a perfect practice for dealing with the overwhelm of this season. The middle of the 8 limbs - Pratyahara is a transition from the outer practices of Yama, Niyama, Asana & Pranayama to inner practice of meditation. Those outer practices are very necessary prerequisites to Pratyahara. They awaken and balance inner awareness and energy in the body, they help to settle the mind & release tension and to create space for an inner sanctuary of alert and easeful awareness. Pratyahara requires concentration and alertness along with relaxation and ease - so that your mind and senses are neither wandering and agitated nor dull, lethargic or asleep.
If you’re feeling the overwhelm of this season take 20 minutes out of your day to try this guided Pratyahara practice.