Stillness in the Heat of Things
- EB Ferdig
- Jun 25, 2021
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 24, 2022
As I sit here, waiting for the heat to descend upon Portland, I am reminded of other heated times of late. Particularly heated discussions with my family. They are expected conversations, about support, independence, and the right balance between the two. Just now I feel fine, but at the time, it was heated.
When we're in those heated moments of discomfort, it can sometimes be hard to remember that relative stillness is coming. Discomforts in life ebb and flow. Yoga describes this as the "fluctuations of the mind-stuff." Of course, at the time, we rarely think "oh, yes, that's just my mind-stuff fluctuating! I'm sure that stillness is right around the corner." Yet, it does come. Even in the most difficult situations, the relative difficulty ebbs and flows. Things do change.
The opportunity, is to recognize the stillness when it comes. Sometimes times of peace, quiet and relative comfort can get gobbled up by other mind-stuff. Sometimes we "borrow trouble," when we wonder what we're missing out on, when we focus on what we don't have, or what is not yet right in the world.
In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali refers to santosha or contentment as one of the ways to control the fluctuations of the mind-stuff. But it's not a matter of if you just happen to be content. We have to make contentment a priority, to be able to connect to that stillness inside that is there, but that we may not connect to, if we keep letting ourselves be led around by every random thought that passes through.
I hope that you'll join me over the next few days, whether you're sweating it out in Portland, or dealing with the big and small fires of life, in remembering that we each have a still, sweet spot inside. And that we can find our way back to it, with patience and persistence. And that when we do this we and the world are better for it.
We talk about our topic of the month at the start of each class!
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The idea of the Heat of Things serves as a reminder of the harsh hardships and difficult circumstances that people encounter in their daily lives, which frequently put their faith and perseverance to the test. Surah At Tawbah, which reminds believers to remain firm despite suffering and adversity, offers a potent meditation on this idea. The surah emphasises the value of sacrifice and sincerity, particularly during difficult times.
I would suggest finding these: peace, focus, and clarity during stressful situations like exams, assignment deadlines, and other personal challenges. For students in a place like London, where academic pressure can feel relentless, the services for assignment writing help in London come forth to provide professional support for quality handling and timely submissions, allowing for an efficient workload management system and stress alleviation.
Your reflection on stillness amidst chaos really resonates. The ebb and flow of life’s challenges often feel overwhelming, but finding moments of contentment is crucial. Interestingly, this applies even in academic and scientific pursuits. Researchers navigating the complexities of submitting a medical research paper for publication often face similar waves of frustration—rejections, revisions, and the intricate peer-review process. But with patience, guidance, and persistence, clarity emerges, just like in life. It’s a reminder that no matter the field, resilience and the ability to embrace stillness amid challenges lead to success.
Your reflection on stillness amidst life’s challenges is insightful. It’s easy to get caught up in discomfort and forget that peace will return. The idea of recognizing stillness resonates, as we often overlook moments of contentment. Similarly, in academic pressures like pgce assignment service, a calm mindset helps navigate challenges. Thank you for this thoughtful reminder!