Sitting Still

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For a lot of people, meditation is when you do nothing. I think they miss the point. Meditation is stillness. It is allowing the torrid rain of thought to fall unhindered. To test and to find purpose.

Ideas are generated, nurtured and destroyed. All authority is challenged, questioned. A deeper meaning is explored. The resolve is tested and retested. It is the ultimate equipment test. The training of the mind.

You can imagine the little flick of the finger, testing the “ting” of your thoughts.

To some, this may feel like doing nothing. But there is a difference between doing nothing and being still.

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Reflection is sacred.

From the Prophet Mohammad peace be upon him spending days alone in the cave of Hira – and this was before he was bestowed Prophethood – to seemingly eternal respect humanity pays to the one who takes the time out to reflect, there is ample reason to seriously consider “alone-time”.

The rain that never stops is the world we live in. Step in the shade to see how drenched you really have become. Being alone, doing nothing else, forces you to start thinking. And like a small spark that grows into the roaring fires, that is all that is needed.

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I have been unplugged for almost a month. I did not tell anyone. I have not called anyone, have only received calls. I have not posted a single post – only this one. I plan on doing this every Ramadan. One month every year where I just unplug. Use this one month to “train” for the next eleven.

By God’s Grace, there has been no emergency, no situation that demanded my presence. Not even my input. It is both refreshing and humbling. I am insignificant. The insignificance is liberating. Makes sense.

I like to think that I am ready for the next year. For the first time in my life, I am focusing on just showing up. I am reminding myself to not over-think it this time, to not over-analyse, to realize the difference between planning and doing.

Planning is playful creativity, doing is unquestioning routine. The middle ground is where the magic happens. I intend to be the magician.

I will be seeing you often, on this blog or elsewhere, God willing. I hope you too find liberation. I hope you too find stillness. The calm is magical, for it promises a storm.  Abraa-ca-dabraa.