Unveiling the Path to Everyday Presence and Stillness
How your breath can take you there
In my last post, I mentioned the term Hukhum, which means 'command' or 'divine order'. I wanted to explore this idea further today.
We have been conditioned to label everything as good or bad. As Canadians, we all know how many conversations begin with weather comments. Rain often receives an undeserved reputation as the 'bad guy' because of its ability to disrupt plans and create inconveniences. However, rain is neither good nor bad, it simply is. When it rains on someone’s wedding day, the couple may be upset because the pictures may not turn out as planned, or the outdoor lunch may have to be moved inside. On that same day, the rain may bring relief and joy to a farmer helping his crops grow. Nothing is good or bad, but thinking makes it so. Being aware that events are a part of Hukhum or divine order allows us to accept rather than reject them.
Earlier this week, I attended a hot yin yoga class. For those of you who have done hot yoga, you know how uncomfortable the heat and sweat can be. Mind you, this was a Yin stretch class so it did not have many flows and was more about holding stretches for long periods of time. That being said, there are still times when you are in a stretch, and sweat is literally pouring from your body and trickling down to the mat. This is not a big deal because you can simply take your towel and wipe it dry. However, part of being in the moment is intimately knowing each sweat drop trickles slowly along the path it is meant to. I apologize if this description is too much for some of you, but the intricate level of awareness in these moments is simply beautiful. Being in the moment is not about fighting what is happening or trying to change it. Instead, it is about allowing it to unfold as an observer.
Back to this yoga class, the instructor said ‘Move into stillness’. I understand that many of us operate in an anxious state for most of the day and stillness is something we need to experience. But why is this? Why do we have to ‘move into’ a state that comes naturally and is always accessible to us? We shouldn’t have to move into stillness. Our goal should be to feel the stillness that always exists. This is like instructing a plant to absorb water after a rainstorm. The plant just is and through the natural process of diffusion will absorb what it needs on its own. This is one of the reasons many of us are relaxed when looking at a mountain or body of water. They make us feel at peace because they themselves are at peace. They let whatever happens happen.
The quieter you become, the more you are able to hear.
Rumi
The Western world’s desire for comfort is one of the root causes of why we lack presence. We can change the temperature in our car when we feel too hot or too cold. When we don’t have something to make us comfortable we can click 3 buttons and it will literally show up at our doorstep the next day. These are luxuries, but if not appreciated they can lead to suffering. Being comfortable with the uncomfortable is a way to appreciate what is happening. The first step is being aware of what is, and then using our breath to sink deeper and recognize the moments of stillness that exist. Some people will focus on their inhale and exhale, while others will pay more attention to the brief milliseconds between breaths.
ACTION ITEMS
Try to notice how you breathe. Set an alarm for every hour of your waking day and when it goes off, become aware of where your breath is coming from. Is it through your belly or chest? Are you breathing through your nose or mouth? Is your inhale and exhale even? This is an effective way to train ourselves to become more aware.
Try taking a different perspective on your breath by paying particular attention to the gaps between your breaths. This is the simplest way to experience stillness. Use this technique in your meditation practice to feel presence.