silence

Question :
-I’ve heard you say that people should spend some “quiet time,” and, if they do, it can reduce the stress in their lives. Assuming we can find twenty or thirty minutes in a day, what do you suggest we do?

Answer:
There are 1,440 minutes in day. Studies show that most of us watch a ton of television and engage in other mindless activities. My first suggestion is to be really honest about how much time you can create, if you really, really wanted to. Then, assuming you have twenty, thirty, forty, or however many minutes (even if it’s less), I would suggest you spend it in absolute silence. While in silence, you can do any number of things, and it doesn’t always have to be the same. To me, the three most important things I do during the course of a day are meditation, reading and some form of yoga or gentle stretching. Even ten minutes of quiet meditation makes my entire day more peaceful. And, if I can read for fifteen or twenty minutes, even if it’s not all at the same time, I love it as it feeds my soul. I love to read spiritual books that calm my spirit. And, stretching or yoga (I’m an absolute beginner), relaxes my body and makes me feel relaxed. If there is some way to get some exercise in as well, then my day is a complete blessing. Finally, I spend at least a minute or two reflecting on aspects of life to be grateful about. These are some of the things that work well for me, but I would suggest anything that makes you feel more peaceful and loving.

by Richard Carlson