Most meditators know the place of peace is in the silence, when the mind is still. The silence is the place where the divine connection lives. Seems like a desirable place so it’s interesting how many of us balk for various reasons at going there. Fears about pain and self worth are high on the list.
A lot of teachers don’t mention that if you have issues and/or repressed memories that silence will relax the subconscious death grip you have on those things you don’t want to remember and will allow them to rise to consciousness. In our society we’re pretty much programmed to want to avoid looking at hard, upsetting issues from our own lives, so a lot of people are very resistant to silence because on some level they’re afraid of what they may face.
Among those who do practice meditation of some sort, there’s a significant number who meditate yet keep the memories down. They find greater calm but they don’t quite get to the place of true quiet. The path to Buddha nature or God consciousness (or whatever term you want to use) for most people includes some dark nights, some time spent experiencing, acknowledging, and/or studying pain. Whatever practices you choose to journey into the stillness, they won’t ultimately succeed unless you’re willing to face the pain.
The even more subtle reason for resisting a journey to higher consciousness relates to the divine connection. A lot of us don’t feel worthy of seeing or believing we are divine. Some come from a religious background that places divinity firmly outside of humankind and they’re uneasy about accepting themselves as divine because it seems beyond them. What if I become quiet and realize I’m not good enough? Who am I to think I could have God consciousness or Buddha nature?
If you find yourself reluctant to meditate regularly or to even sit still in silence ask yourself whether there’s something painful you don’t want to see. Are you willing to face the pain in order to find peace within? Do you feel worthy—do you truly believe that your true self is part of God? Are you ready to enter the quiet?
This is my entry for AlphabeThursday from Jennie Matlock and today the letter is “Q”.
Related articles
- Misunderstanding Meditation (pathfinderscommune.com)
- Higher States of Consciousness- Deepak Chopra (evolutionarymystic.wordpress.com)
Not Just Sassy on the Inside 
Hi, Leigh! Thanks for the insights.
You’re welcome. Thank you for stopping by.
Learning to face and acknowledge my shadow – that part of myself, memories, character traits, negative feelings that I’ve buried has been a huge part of my path of late. Thank you. Namaste
The part about facing the shadow that I like is the immense sense of relief and freedom when I’ve moved through each memory or issue… Congrats for the willingness to face it!
Oh, yes, our society encourages us to look for answers out there, but the only answers that matter are the ones we find within when we have the courage to look at the shadow. Very insightful blog. Thanks
Yes, more and more I perceive the inner landscape as the world to explore. Thank you!
I have to admit that I resist meditating, probably for the reasons you stated. Thanks for giving me the encouragement to keep at it. Great post.
I struggle enough with this that I could write it from experience! Thanks.
Lovely thoughts. It’s true that silence in the heart and mind allows space for sometimes unwanted thoughts or memories to enter. But I believe that allowing them to enter, also makes way for them to exit…for our betterment.
So true! Thanks for stopping by.
Hello! wow, a very deep and insightful post … I love the quiet and I love to meditate. It’s one of my favorite places to be. On a lighter note … come on by my nest and answer some quirky questions!
Thanks so much. Liked yours too.
Hello.
Thought-provoking post. Thanks for sharing.
A Quiet Evening
I have a wonderful naturopath who has encouraged me into the habit of a quiet time each day. She says that you need the quiet so you can listen to your heart and body and hear what they have to say.
Sometimes I don’t want to know what they have to say…
But it does help manage certain physical conditions to be in touch with what’s going on.
This was a brilliant lesson.
Being still is one of the hardest skills to learn.
Thanks for sharing this.
A+
Ooh, I like what the naturopath has to say. And yes, I think being still is very hard to learn. Thanks for the nice comments.
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