Is there a moment in your life that stands out, no matter how long ago it was?
There was a certain wonder or awe to your experience that left you feeling fulfilled and happy. Nothing else mattered or existed. You wouldn’t have changed a thing.
And when you think about it to this day, you can connect to the magic or beauty of that moment.
Maybe it was watching a sunset on the beach or looking at your child in the eyes for the first time. Maybe it happened spontaneously when you were least expecting it.
This is referred to as a peak experience. A concept developed by Abraham Maslow.
The details of our peak experience are likely to be different, but one commonality is this: we were present. We were not focused on the past or the future.
Many people would like to get that experience back in their day-to-day life but maybe it feels like a distant memory, or a magical moment where things just happened to align perfectly.
But what if we don’t have to wait to be at the beach watching a sunset to have this experience?
What if we could have a peak experience during an ordinary busy day?
We can. When we are present in this moment.
When our mind is silent enough to really hear the sounds around us. When we can see, feel, hear and sense the beauty of this moment. That is where the alignment lies, within us.
When our mind is filled with constant chatter, and we are constantly on the go focused on the past or the future, we miss the potential of these special moments in our life.
Especially those simple day-to day moments that, when noticed, are exquisite.
For most of my life I did everything I could to avoid silence. I wasn’t aware I was avoiding it, but there was a part of me that felt threatened by silence. I remember being anxious with silence and as a result, I was rarely ever present.
When I finally took the leap and started meditating there was a part of me that was still afraid of silence. It felt every uncomfortable.
I remember asking the question…’What will I find in the silence?’
I was afraid. Maybe it wouldn’t be good enough. Maybe it wouldn’t be as good as what people said or what I had read.
This question is legit, and people have asked me this many times.
You see, most people don’t like the chatter and the noise in their head but at the same time, it may be the norm, feel familiar. Or the belief is, ‘It’s just the way it is’.
At first, meditation was something I had to do, now it is something I get to do. It is a privilege I am deeply grateful for.
When our mind is more present and still, there is room or space to listen, feel, hear.
“Silence is essential. We need silence, just as much as we need air, just as much as plants need light. If our minds are crowded with words and thoughts, there is no space for us.” ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
In this silent space we access a nonlinear field of wisdom, possibility, presence and wonder.
When we can be present, moments of wonder and awe become a regular experience rather than a distant memory we recall every now and again.
How beautiful is that?
With love,
Diane