Hyatt responds to the first chapter in a book he's reading,
The Joy Diet by Martha Beck. The chapter title, "Nothing."
He writes:
I was so challenged by this chapter, that I haven’t gotten beyond it. I have now read it four times. I have also practiced this discipline for twenty-two days in a row.
Honestly, this has been one of the most transformational things I have ever done.
What is "stillness"?
Doing nothing is being still, quieting your mind (and the cacophony of voices), and simply being.
Why you need stillness. Hyatt's reasons, summarized:
- I want to maintain perspective. ...
- I want to stay connected to my true self. ...
- I want more internal margin in my life. ...
How to practice stillness. Hyatt's suggestions, summarized:
- Schedule a time. ...
- Find a place. ...
- Set a timer. I am following Beck’s admonition to set aside fifteen minutes a day. ...
- Relax your body. ... Beck says that if you can’t sit still, then engage in any mindless physical activity, like rocking in a chair or watching some natural motion like fire or running water. ...
- Quiet your mind. ...
- Be present. ...
- Learn to return. This has been the most helpful component. In involves recalling a “place of peace,” where you had a particularly vivid experience of peace and stillness. ...
Hyatt refers to God several times, but my perception is that this is not a book promoting religious belief or practice.
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