The Stillpoint Within: A Simple Practice for Calm and Stability

I’m an anxious person, and I work with anxious people. One very powerful skill for an anxious person, or for anyone dealing with any kind of stress, is to find their inner stillpoint.

There’s an exercize I learned along the way a number of years ago. I no longer recall from where, but it is very useful as a way to find and maintain that stillpoint we all have inside us.

Here’s the exercise: First close your eyes and take a few very long, slow, deep breaths, breathing out even longer than breathing in. Do this until you feel stable and supported by whatever you are sitting, lying or standing on.

Then imagine a place that is only for you that has everything you can ever need, where you feel welcome, supported, and valued. This place must be imaginary – if it’s a real place, there may be times when it might not be as supportive; but it can be similar to that real place. This place can be here on Earth, or on some other planet or galaxy. The only important aspect is that it has everything you need to support you, and you feel welcome there and valued.

Notice the feeling inside you when you are in this special place. Notice it’s qualities, and also where it rests inside you. The qualities are individual and personal, but may include a sense of calmness, of rightness, of quiet inner power. Where it rests can be anywhere inside you – for me, it’s in the centre of my body behind my solar plexus.

This is your stillpoint. It’s a place you can go to whenever you feel the need. It is solid, dependable, and free of any external manipulation. It’s yours. You are welcome, valued and supported there.

Your stillpoint is your own source of power. We all have it. It takes practice to access it whenever you need to. But once you are able to do that, it’s an inner resource that can help you ride any chaotic wave with grace.

Quote of the Week

Calmness is the cradle of power.

- J G Holland

The art of stillness

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Maryanne Nicholls is a Registered Psychotherapist.  To find out more, gain access to her weekly newsletter, meditations and programs, sign up at www.thejoyofliving.co . 

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