September 20--Time for a Rest

The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let
it rest, wander, live in the changing light of a room, not try to be
or do anything whatever.

May Sarton

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Today's Meditation:

I love giving my mind a rest, whether it be by taking a long walk, going for a long run or bike ride, or even turning on something silly and fun on TV.  Sometimes the most valuable things that I do for myself aren't what most people would consider doing anything at all, from sitting in a room watching and listening to whatever I notice, to sitting on a lawn and watching the bugs in the grass and the birds in the sky and listening to the wind in my ears and in my trees.

These aren't just moments of true rest--these are moments also of unity and awareness.  These are moments when we can get in touch with being instead of doing; times when we can get in touch with who we are in our depths rather than who we are on the surface.  These are moments when we can get a glimpse of eternity and recognizing our place in it.

We spend most of our time wearing our psyches--our logical and emotional minds--down close to their breaking points.  We don't tend to consider the need for rest of our minds and spirits.  And when we do this, we find that we're wearing down and not working up to our true potential.  Then it's time for rest and rejuvenation.

Sometimes the best thing we can do for ourselves is nothing.  Searching out nothing, doing nothing, wanting nothing, producing nothing.  Sometimes nothing is a wonderfully fulfilling something that can help to keep us going.

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Questions to consider:

Why are so many people so reticent even to consider doing nothing in a quiet and solitary place?

What are some of the possible benefits of allowing our psyches to rest?

How can nothing be a positive something?

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For further thought:

Sometimes the most urgent and vital thing you
can possibly do is take a complete rest.

Ashleigh Brilliant




More on rest.