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Be Still
The quieter you become the more you can hear.
--Ram Dass
As I write this, I am in the middle of making an important decision regarding an opportunity that has surfaced. The time for finalizing my decision is drawing close, yet at this point in time, I am still unclear as to what the
best decision is. I have been trying a myriad of decision-making approaches: letting go of attachment to outcome, discussing it with my partner, journaling about it, and so forth. Yet I know in my heart (and from past experience), that the only true method for making a
decision that supports the greatest good of everyone involved--is to ask for inner guidance. The answer that my soul seeks will not come from anyone or anything outside myself, but from deep within, and that requires becoming still. Elizabeth Kubler-Ross once wisely penned
the following words of wisdom, “Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself, and know that everything in life has purpose. There are no mistakes, no coincidences, all events are blessings given to us to learn from.”
Being still entails quieting the senses enough so that we may hear our soul. The soul speaks quietly, so we must enter our inner sanctuary, close the door, and be still where no one can see us. When we are alone, the guidance
may reveal itself, something that will never happen in public. Why? Because when we’re around others our ego is on display, even in the presence of loved ones. Thus it’s not necessary for us to try and access our deepest truth within, our only focus needs to be on settling
into an atmosphere of faith and hope, trusting that the highest answer will surface when we are perfectly still.
The same thing is true for meditation; since Love’s Presence is within us, everywhere, at all times, we need only be willing to still our senses and patiently wait for the contact to occur. We are not trying to reach anything,
but to achieve a state of such stillness that the awareness of Love permeates us. Only in the sacredness of inward silence does the soul truly reveal the answers we long to hear.
For most of us, being still is not an easy thing to achieve. The amount of stimuli in our society is staggering, not to mention all of the noise from our own thoughts! There are so many diversions to becoming still, that it
must be a priority for it even to occur. In his book Practicing the Presence, spiritual mystic Joel Goldsmith writes, “It takes constant turning within to tear away the veil of illusion, the middle-wall partition which seems to separate us. How speedily we pierce the
veil has no relationship to our human goodness…It has relationship only to the depth of our desire to make contact.” The middle-wall partition represents all of the distractions we experience which prevent us from connecting with our soul. It’s the need to keep busy--so busy,
that we never become still. But with persistence and practice, it will occur. There are walls of resistance that must be broken down and circles of fear to overcome. Yet nothing truly meaningful in our lives ever happens without desire and diligence.
Do yourself the greatest favor possible: take time to become still. Create a sanctuary for yourself in your home so you may enter into the inner sanctuary of your heart and soul. Affirm that you’re worthy of such a sacred
space. By honoring yourself in this way, any problem that needs resolving, or decision that needs to be made, will be accomplished in the highest possible manner. As I finish writing this article, it’s becoming crystal clear that I need to heed my own advice…be still, turn
within, and listen to the calling of my own heart.
© Copyright 2005
Laura V. Hyde. All Rights Reserved.
Laura's Books:
Read Laura's Past Columns:
July-Sept 2005 - "Balancing Your Wheel of Life"
April-June 2005
- "Imaginary Borders"
January-March
2005 - "Witnessing the Truth About Your Life"
October-December
2004 - "Letting Go"
August-September
2004 - "Progressing with Passion"
June-July
2004 - "Deepening Your Spiritual Practice"
April-May
2004 - "Life's Crossroads: Love-vs-Fear"
January-February 2004 - "Faith the Foundation for Every
Dream"
December
2003 Column - "Touching the Heart of Others"
November
2003 Column - "Knowing How to Care for Yourself"
October
2003 Column - "Dreaming a Happy Life"
May
2003 Column - "Living the Authentic Life"
April
2003 Column - "Rising Above the Battleground"
March
2003 Column - "Healing Through Your
Relationships"
February
2003 Column - "Are You Going with the Flow?"
January
2003 Column - "Living the Soulful Life"
December
2002 Column - "The Power to Change"
November
2002 Column - "Peace Begins at Home"
October 2002
Column - "Spiraling to Higher Ground"
September 2002 Column - "Cradled in Nature's
Arms"
August 2002 Column - "Recovering
Your Soul"
Laura V. Hyde is Co-founder of Infinite Wisdom, an organization dedicated to the highest human capacity, and a national author and speaker.
She is also host of the TV show "Relationship Wisdom." As a regular contributor for publications across the U.S. and Canada, Laura writes about human awareness and spiritual growth. Laura is the author of the widely acclaimed books The Intimate Soul and Gifts of the Soul, and the creator and teacher of various programs including the Self-Mastery Program, The Art of Compassionate Forgiveness, Wonderful Women: Reclaiming Our Power, Passion and Purpose, and Cultivating the Intimate Life. Please visit Laura's web site at:
www.laurahyde.com.
As a spiritual counselor, Laura provides assistance in person and by phone. You may contact her for a free brochure at:
laura@laurahyde.com.
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