What you don't need to do

Meditation is the practice of doing nothing. As I think over my life, I cannot imagine how much trouble I could have avoided if I had just sat there quietly instead of jumping into the fray. 

Sitting in silence shows me all the things that I do not need to do anything about right now.  This pretty much accounts for all my thoughts as I meditate.

Practicing stillness; noticing all the things that I don’t need to do anything uncovers peace. Stillness points directly at the “illusion of control” - the cause of most anxiety. 

“To God belongs everything in the heavens and everything on earth, and all matters are controlled by God.”
[Quran 3:109]

“All of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone.”
Blaise Pascal

"Sitting quietly, doing nothing, Spring comes, and the grass grows, by itself." - Matsuo Basho

peace on you,
Bob

give it up!

Meditation is the search for what to give up.

Give up what?  When we sit quietly in silence we see so many stories - stories about how we think IT OUGHT TO BE.  Did I do well at work today? Does my partner care about me? I should have said something different to Jack yesterday.  I’m scared and lonely. My meditation practice is not right. I could go on and on - you get the picture!

Not a single one of these ‘stories’ is true while sitting quietly. Meditation is the practice of noticing these stories and seeing that they are just not true right here right now.  In this light, the stories  dissolve leaving the One True Story.

Empty yourself utterly and the One True Story will shine brightly.  It’s really quite simple.

Hint: all is well!

peace on you,

bob