Stillness

 Stillness is a state which is very difficult to achieve, but once attained, everything around you stops and transports you into another world. Also termed as Samadhi in Ashtanga Yoga by Patanjali, stillness is a state in which every particle around you is motionless. No thoughts disturb you. You are connected to The Ultimate. In layman’s terms, it is an eternal state of pause, where one is alert and observant to the changes taking place both within oneself and outside.

One of the most popular ways in which one can acquire this state is through the practice of Shavasana. The Yoga Asana which is commonly practiced at the end of a Hatha Yoga session means to lie still like a corpse. Not only is your body still but also your mind. Every muscle, every nerve ending, and every tissue is relaxed. It is the state in between an active mind and deep sleep. The stillness lasts for about 10 minutes to let your mind, body and soul be in the Divine Union.

Meditation is another way of practicing the art of stillness. After the initial gush of random thoughts, as one goes deeper into meditation; there comes a stage where everything stops temporarily. The air around you and the noises recede. You are aware of your presence and dwell in the ecstasy of stillness. I experienced this state in a meditation congregation at Lucknow a couple of years back. It was peak summer. The sun was blazing and I went to the canteen hoping to grab some lunch. The canteen was buzzing with noise. Somehow, I didn’t feel hungry as I was exhausted by the scorching heat. I decided to sit calmly and slipped into a meditative state. It was a surreal experience when I was in the state of stillness, unaware of the busy background around me.

I find that traveling to lesser-known places and discovering their raw beauty helps in experiencing stillness. In one of our travel trips, my parents and I decided to trek from Dainkund to Jot in Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh. Located at a height of 2755 meters, we started the 4-hour trek from Dainkund Peak. The sky was clear and the weather was cool and crisp. We reached a point where everything was still. There wasn’t any movement of birds or wind. It was only us, the rocky path, deep valleys on both the sides, and snow-capped peaks at a distance. It was indeed mystical!

Koodli located in Shimoga is an undiscovered ethereal beauty! 

It is the point of confluence of Rivers Tunga and Bhadra to form the glorious River Tungabhadra. It was a struggle to reach this place as it is unlisted by many tourism websites.

 But the sight beheld was truly a spectacle! 

It was a live show of stillness in nature. The River Tunga was fast flowing and as soon as it met River Bhadra, the water became still. The wind was blowing gently and there was no one else to view the visual splendor.

Every part of nature is soaked in spiritual essence. But only a few experience it. Beaches might be popular tourist destinations, but it has an elusive trait which only curious eyes can view. The horizon is where everything merges into one. The sea, the sky and the setting sun, all become One. It brings a form of stillness in which one is aware of one’s own presence with nature and the Universe at large.

Inner peace and tranquility are being sought by everyone far and wide. Competing in the society and running like a hamster on a golden wheel has led to severe imbalance and sucks the life out of you. I suggest to you, my dear readers, to take a break and pause to witness the stillness. It is a wonderful feeling to look inwards when the world is seeking external gratification.