It’s spring in many parts of the world, and, as we are all a part of nature, we feel a sense of awakening, of energy, and perhaps of anxiety at the prospect of change and new growth. Those are some of the feelings spring evokes in me!
Life can feel tenuous at times. If you’re like me, you might feel a bit shaky at this time, as if you’re not quite sure that you can be stable, strong, or confident enough to face life’s challenges.
Most of us often look for reassurance outside of ourselves. If only I had more money, a better job, a nicer place to live, or a loved one, I would feel safe.
And yes, these things are all wonderful and can offer a sense of stability and a sense of security. But these things are also subject to change.
What isn’t subject to change? Based on my studies in some of the great spiritual traditions of the world and on my own experience, I believe that inside each and every one of us is a space that is stable, secure, unchanging, and loving.
You can be any religion or no religion and still find that space within you that is ever present, ever aware, ever safe.
This is a place of refuge.
You may have lost a sense of trust in this safe place within you when you were small. Or life may have thrown so many challenges at you that even when you try, you can’t find the space.
Sometimes, even if you’ve been able to contact this safe place in the past, whether during meditation or at other times, it still can be elusive.
This is where trust comes in. To trust is to believe that something you’ve been told, or something that you think might be true, something you may have had a taste of, is true, even if you have no proof or very little proof. Trust is very close to faith. Faith is stronger than trust. You can begin with trust and move into faith–faith that this small feeling that you sometimes experience can expand and support you more fully.
Do you believe this is possible? The only way is to test it out for yourself, day by day.
Try it for yourself:
Sit in a comfortable position, with a relatively straight back, either on the floor on a cushion, perhaps resting your back against a wall if necessary, or in a chair. Rest your hands in your lap. Now notice your breathing, not trying to control it in any way. Notice your body, wherever it is resting.
Bring your attention to any places of stress in the body. If your mind is full of thoughts, notice them, and then again notice where in your body you feel the tension. Often stressful thoughts will immediately evoke tension in the body. You may go back and forth between noticing the tension and noticing your breath.Now, look for space inside of your body, even inside of the tense place itself. Do this for several moments. If you are still, you will find the space, even if just a little. Stillness and spaciousness go together.
Feel the space outside of you as well, cushioning and supporting you.
If you can, practice at a special time each day, and at any time when you feel tension or stress. Be still, look for space. Trust in the space. It’s always there, waiting for your attention. Turn to stillness and discover the inner space within you.
“Just simply draw your attention within, become still, and feel the deep stillness that is always there. You can never lose it because you are it. The ability to go inward needs to be practiced. Again and again, we draw our attention inward and trust that place of stillness with an attitude of respect. This is our practice.” —Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche from Awakening the Luminous Mind.