This is not about some woolly, fuzzy, feel-good vibe. This is about accessing a consciousness that lies deep within you - far deeper than thought.
This is about tuning in to the profound wisdom, creativity and peace that emerges in periods of inner stillness.
This consciousness:
In the major faith traditions this consciousness is referred to as the Christ within, the Buddha nature, Atman in Hindu and Fitra in Islam.
To let stlllness speak is to learn it's first major lesson: you are not your thoughts.
Further Reading & Resources:
Everything Is Connected And Why You Don't Feel It
Who Is In Charge Of Your Brain - How Not To Be Stupid
The Illusion Of A Separate Self - Windows 11 With Self Awareness!
Here are some actions and supporting practices that can help you access this stillness and let it speak in your life:
Further Resources:
Freeing Yourself From Your Mind - 6 Key Practices From Eckhart Tolle
How To Practice Mindfulnes- Drop The Cushion, Focus Your Mind On Now
Zen Tools is all about learning 2 key skills:
Developing these skills matters because, over the long term, the outcomes that you experience are determined by how you respond to the events in your life.
Many of the things that happen in your life are random and beyond your control.
But, the one thing you can control is how you choose to respond to these events - and it is a choice.
The long term impact of these choices can have a major effect on your health, wealth and happiness.
So it follows that the stronger your response - the better the outcome.
The first fundamental truth to take on board is that your conscious mind is limited in so many ways.
But, your mind isn't going to stop thinking on demand. So the most effective way of achieving this is with the zen practise of mindfulness.
Zen simply means: "direct experience in seeing things as they really are".
The goal of mindfulness isn't to suppress thinking, but to surpass it and to experience that you are not your thoughts and to learn how to respond to your thoughts resourcefully.
Here are 4 personal takeaways on learning how to stop thinking and let stillness speak:
Here is a fuller list of the benefits of learning how to stop thinking
Life is more than complicated, it is complex.
To be clear, a complicated system can be seen as the sum of the parts whereas a complex system is greater than the sum of the parts.
Complicated systems fall within classic Newtonian thinking - the mechanical universe which is all about: Predictability, Reductionism, Determinism, Cause and Effect, Equilibrium and Centralised Top-Down Control
With a complicated system if you understand the part then you can understand the system.
Whereas, complex systems involves a holistic approach which focuses on the dynamics of the interactions between the multiple component parts of the system and is all about: Emergent Behavior, Nonlinear Interactions, Adaptation and Learning, Unpredictability and Uncertainty of Outcome, and Distributed Control.
With a complex system if you understand the dynamics of the parts you can gain better understanding of the system.
Examples of complex systems include:
We are all working with complex systems, and we do so every day. The biggest one is life itself.
Understanding complex systems [and knowing how to work with them] is an important thinking skill.
Traditional thinking is not enough, dealing with complexity requires a more intuitive and collaborative approach.
Living within a complex system means navigating a world where multiple interdependent factors interact in often unpredictable ways.
When living within a complex system, knowing how to "do without doing" is an important skill.
These skills and practices are deeply intuitive and are all about influence rather than control, and it is critical to let stillness speak into your thought processes and decision making.
Let's take a deeper look at how to navigate and thrive living within a complex system.
1. Recognize Interconnectedness
Complex systems involve networks of relationships where each element affects others.
Understanding this interconnectedness can help you see that actions have ripple effects.
For example, in society, individual actions contribute to larger social trends.
2. Embrace Uncertainty and Adaptability
Complex systems are often unpredictable because they change dynamically over time.
Adapting to this means developing flexibility and being comfortable with ambiguity.
Instead of trying to control or predict every outcome, let stillness speak as you focus on building resilience and learning to adapt to change.
3. Focus on Relationships and Feedback Loops
In complex systems, feedback loops—where outputs from a process feed back into it as inputs—can create cycles of growth or balance.
Positive feedback loops reinforce a trend, while negative feedback loops create balance.
Understanding these cycles and letting stillness speak can help you make more informed choices, like reducing waste to prevent environmental damage or fostering positive relationships to reinforce community bonds
4. Seek Patterns and Emergent Properties
Patterns often emerge in complex systems, even if individual actions seem random or isolated.
Observing these patterns can help you make sense of complexity.
For example, cities, as complex systems, exhibit patterns in traffic flow, economic activity, and social interactions that emerge from individual choices.
5. Think Holistically, Act Locally
Holistic thinking is crucial in complex systems.
By considering how parts interact, you gain a broader perspective.
However, meaningful change often starts locally.
For instance, if you want to influence environmental change, start with sustainable habits in your own life, understanding they contribute to larger ecological systems.
6. Be Aware of Nonlinearity
In complex systems, small actions can sometimes lead to large, unexpected changes, while large actions might have minimal impact.
This nonlinearity is essential in fields like public health or social change, where small community efforts might spark larger movements.
7. Emphasize Diversity and Collaboration
Diverse systems are more resilient.
In nature, ecosystems with diverse species adapt better to change.
Similarly, diverse perspectives and collaboration in human systems—like communities or organizations—strengthen adaptability and creative problem-solving.
8. Develop Systems Thinking Skills
Systems thinking involves understanding the whole picture instead of isolated parts.
Learning to see the connections and interdependencies can help you identify leverage points—small actions that create significant changes.
For example, in organizations, a single shift in leadership approach might improve morale and productivity widely.
9. Accept Limits to Knowledge and Control
In complex systems, it’s impossible to have complete information or control.
Recognizing this can prevent frustration and encourage an experimental mindset, where you try different approaches, observe outcomes, and adjust as you learn.
10. Cultivate Long-Term Perspective and Patience
Many outcomes in complex systems unfold slowly.
Sustainable farming, education reform, or personal growth are all areas where long-term thinking is essential.
Focus on gradual progress rather than quick fixes.
11. Practice Reflection and Mindful Decision-Making
Living consciously and being able to let stillness speak within a complex system helps to develop a reflective approach.
Consider the potential impacts of your decisions on the larger system, and make choices aligned with your values and an awareness of broader outcomes.
12. Understand Boundaries and Tensions
Complex systems often involve competing needs or tensions—such as economic growth vs. environmental protection.
Learning to balance these tensions and make compromises can help you navigate complex systems in a way that respects both the whole and its parts.
Further Reading & Resources:
Living In A Participatory Universe
Law Of Response And Outcome - A New Approach To A New Life
The Red Pill - This Is What Will Happen After You Take It
How To Wake Up - 4 Simple Practices To Help You Wake Up Now
The Greatest Love - The Most Important Relationship You Will Ever Have
Coram Deo - Living In Consciousness
Return from "Let Stillness Speak" to: Walking The Talk
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